Retail workers to be protected under new legislation

Late last week (14 November), the Victorian government passed a bill aimed at protecting customer-facing workers from various forms of violence and aggression at work.

The Victorian government introduced the Crimes Amendment (Retail, Fast Food, Hospitality and Transport Worker Harm) Bill 2025 to its State Parliament last Friday (14 November). Under this bill, offences such as intimidation, assault, or threatening a customer service worker will result in six months to five years of jail time.

One of the various changes that new legislation will implement is the reclassification of ram-raids as aggravated burglary, with perpetrators to face up to 25 years imprisonment. Victoria’s government aimed for these new laws to take effect by the end of the year.

Master Grocers Australia (MGA) chief executive Martin Stirling welcomed this bill and emphasised the importance of the fast-tracked implementation and adequate enforcement of these laws, “so workers start to feel safer immediately”.

“Small family-owned retailers cannot keep absorbing the trauma, the cost, and the daily threat of violence. This must be the beginning of a far stronger and effective response – not the end of it.”

MGA added to this, saying that “additional measures” are required to address Victoria’s retail crime, including dedicated police forces and expedited workplace protection orders.

In a joint statement made earlier this week (17 November), the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) welcomed the Victorian government’s commitment to address the state’s retail crime crisis.

The associations expressed their support for the government’s bipartisan efforts to provide stronger protections for retail workers, including Workplace Protection Orders (WPOs) and tougher assault penalties.

“Retail crime is not a political issue – it’s a community safety issue, and an urgent one,” said Chris Rodwell (pictured), chief executive at ARA.

“The model for this legislation exists. It is already successfully operating in other jurisdictions. There is no reason for delay.”

“It’s encouraging to see both sides of Victorian politics recognise the scale of the crisis and take action … If the opposition introduces a WPO private member’s bill, we urge the government to work constructively to pass it – because every day without these protections is another day retail workers are left at risk.”

Additionally, the associations acknowledged the impacts that government moves such as Jack’s Law in Queensland and the Protective Services Officer (PSO) policy announcement in Victoria have had on safety.

“This proves what is possible when governments give police and retailers the tools they need,” Rodwell said.

“Victoria is making progress, but the scale of retail crime here demands a full-scale strategy … We need specialist retail policing, intelligence-driven tools, digital monitoring, and legal frameworks that deliver real protection to workers, shops, and communities.”