New offences a response to the 'disturbing' rise in abuse, violence in workplaces
Individuals who abuse customer-facing workers in Victoria may now face up to five years in jail under a new legislation aimed at protecting frontline workers in the state.
The new legislation introduces new offences to crack down on abuse, threats, and assaults against retail and hospitality workers and to other customer-facing employees, such as security, cleaners, delivery riders, taxi and rideshare drivers, public transport operators, and contractors working on-site.
The new offences will apply if the conduct takes place while the victim is at work, such as serving customers, transporting passengers, making deliveries, stacking shelves, or when arriving, leaving, or on breaks.
According to the state government, individuals who assault or threaten to assault customer-facing workers may face five years' imprisonment under the new indictable offence that it introduced.
A shorter six-month jail term will apply to separate summary offences that will apply for lower-level assaults or intimidating conduct, such as profane, obscene, or insulting language.
The new offences are a response to the growing calls from businesses and unions to protect frontline employees who are facing rising cases of abuse from customers.
"We've listened to workers, unions, and industry – and these laws respond directly to the disturbing rise in abuse and violence in workplaces across Victoria," said Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny in a statement.
Retail crime in Victoria
In Victoria, data from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) revealed that retail crime incidents in the state have surged by more than 20% in the past year alone.
More than three in four (79%) Victorians are also now concerned about rising crime levels, and 89% expressed support for stronger penalties for offenders who threaten or assault retail workers.
"Retail crime in Victoria isn't just rising — it's reached crisis proportions. Every day, retail workers are being spat on, punched, threatened, and abused simply for doing their jobs," ARA CEO Chris Rodwell previously said in a statement.
Victoria's new legislation places it on the expanding list of Australian states and territories introducing harsher penalties for assaults on frontline or retail workers.
New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory have introduced similar legislation as well.
South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory have also introduced Workplace Protection Orders that can bar an offender in the workplace for up to 12 months, including preventing them from having contact with certain employees.
The Victorian government said last month that it is working to introduce a WPO against violent individuals by 2026.
"Every Victorian deserves to be safe at work. These laws strengthen protections and we'll continue that work with Workplace Protection Orders," Kilkenny said.
