Businesses could face penalties of more than $200,000 if young workers aren’t employed safely and legally
Workforce Inspectorate Victoria (WIV) will conduct a statewide inspection blitz of hospitality venues these summer school holidays to crack down on businesses breaching child employment laws.
Inspectors will visit restaurants, cafés and fast-food outlets across Victoria to check compliance with strict rules governing the employment of children under 15.
Employers found to be breaking child employment laws face penalties of more than $200,000.
Businesses hiring children under 15 must hold a valid child employment licence and comply with conditions covering:
-
The type of work children can perform
-
Supervision requirements
-
Maximum working hours and rest breaks
The rules differ between school terms and holidays. During school holidays, children can work up to six hours a day and 30 hours a week, but only between 6am and 9pm. They must also receive a 30‑minute rest break after every three hours of work and have at least 12 hours break between shifts.
Workers under 15 must be supervised by someone who holds a valid Victorian Working with Children Clearance, unless an exemption applies.
Prosecutions and previous breaches
WIV currently has two active prosecutions before the courts relating to alleged breaches of child employment laws.
During the September school holidays, WIV ran a compliance campaign targeting hospitality businesses, inspecting 82 venues and uncovering alleged breaches of child employment laws. Two investigations from that campaign remain active.
“Our findings highlight the importance of ongoing inspections to protect children from unsafe or unlawful work practices,” the inspectorate said.
WIV deputy commissioner Lily Dekic said the "rules can’t be overlooked" especially during the summer where venues ramp up staffing.
“Summer holidays are a busy time for hospitality businesses, but that doesn’t mean the rules can be overlooked. Our inspectors will be out across Victoria to make sure children are working safely and legally,” Dekic said.
“Our audits earlier this year showed that breaches do occur. That’s why we are stepping up inspections this summer, to make sure children are not put at risk and businesses are held accountable.”
“Parents, schools and communities expect that when children take on holiday jobs, they will be safe. Compliance with child employment laws is how businesses meet that expectation.”
Hospitality work flagged as higher risk
The inspectorate has identified hospitality as a sector that can pose significant health and safety risks to children, warning that many common tasks may not qualify as “light work” under the Child Employment Act 2003 (Vic).
WIV has also highlighted psychosocial risks, including customer aggression or inappropriate behaviour, which can affect young workers’ mental wellbeing if workplace practices are inadequate.
Businesses employing children under 15 must not only hold a child employment licence but also comply with Child Safe Standards.
The summer inspection campaign is part of WIV’s ongoing efforts to ensure children’s holiday jobs are safe, lawful and properly supervised.
