Watchdog investigating Bendigo and Ballarat businesses for child employment breaches

Wage Inspectorate Victoria has been inspecting cafes, restaurants and fast-food businesses in the Bendigo and Ballarat area during these school holidays to monitor and ensure compliance with the state’s child employment laws.

The school holidays are an opportunity for many young Australians to gain experience for the first time in the workplace. During this time employers must ensure that they have created a safe working environment for these initial experiences.

The employment regulator selected the Bendigo and Ballarat areas for its investigations because more children work in these areas than in regional Victoria, yet few businesses hold child employment licenses.

“Many kids get their first job over the school holidays, and we know kids in regional towns are more likely to have jobs compared with kids in Melbourne, so Wage Inspectorate officers are out across Bendigo and Ballarat, making sure businesses employing kids under 15 are doing so safely and legally,” said Robert Hortle, commissioner of Wage Inspectorate Victoria.

Employing kids under 15 over school holidays can be a win-win, with businesses getting enthusiastic staff, and kids getting valuable experience and earning spending money. But if this win-win situation is not fulfilled through proper protocols, businesses may be subject to fines of more than $200,000.

“Kids working on school holidays can be a great help to businesses in regional areas like Bendigo and Ballarat, and the experience can be invaluable for the kids. It’s win-win, as long as it is done safely and legally,” Hortle said.

These protocol systems help protect children by ensuring the employer understands workplace risks and has strategies that keep these newly acquainted young workers safe.

In Victoria, children can work in retail and hospitality from the age of 13, but most businesses need a licence before employing anyone under 15.

According to the Wage Inspectorate, research shows 8 per cent of children under 15 in regional areas have a job, compared to 5 per cent of children in metropolitan Melbourne.

“The Wage Inspectorate has prosecuted 10 regional businesses over child employment laws over the last couple of years, but we’d much rather help businesses employ kids safely and legally than take more matters to court, so reach out to get the advice you need.”

“Parents have a role to play too. If you have a child under 15 who has just secured their first job over the holidays, make sure the employer has a child employment license. It’s a simple step you can take to ensure the employer has considered your child’s health and wellbeing,” Hortle said.