Wage Inspectorate Victoria (WIV) will be conducting inspections across hospitality venues, such as restaurants, cafés and fast-food businesses these school holidays to ensure compliance with Victoria's child employment laws.
Kids are more likely to be working during the school holidays, particularly in holiday hotspots where many businesses need to recruit staff quickly to meet seasonal demand.
Employing kids under 15 can be a win-win, with businesses getting additional help during peak periods, and kids getting valuable experience and earning spending money. However, it must be done safely and legally to prevent harm.
Businesses employing kids under 15 must have a child employment licence and must adhere to strict conditions around the type of work the child may perform, supervision, working hours and rest breaks.
The rules around when children can work and for how long, are different during school holidays compared to the school term.
During school holidays, children can work up to 6 hours per day and 30 hours per week.
WIV Authorised Officers will be inspecting businesses right across Victoria – we can't be everywhere, but we can be anywhere at any time.
Businesses found to be in breach of child employment laws can face penalties exceeding $200,000.
Quotes attributable to Lily Dekic, Deputy Commissioner, Wage Inspectorate Victoria
"Our priority is supporting businesses to employ children safely and within the law. We'd much rather provide guidance upfront than pursue enforcement action later—so don't hesitate to reach out for advice."
"We know many businesses are under pressure during peak periods, but that's no excuse for cutting corners. Our officers will be out across Victoria—we can't be everywhere, but we can be anywhere at any time."
"For many young people, a hospitality job over the school holidays is their first step into the working world. It's crucial that this experience is safe, supportive, and sets the right foundation. Employers play a key role in making that happen."
Background
Victoria's child employment laws require employers of children under 15 to have a child employment licence before any work takes place, and to comply with Child Safe Standards.
Workers under 15 must be supervised by someone who holds a valid Victorian Working with Children Clearance (unless exempt).
Child employment laws restrict when businesses can employ children and how long they can work:
- during a school term, children can be employed for a maximum of 3 hours a day and 12 hours per week and cannot work during school hours
- during school holidays, children can be employed up to 6 hours a day and 30 hours a week
- children can only work between 6am and 9pm.
Children must also receive a 30-minute rest break after every 3 hours work and have at least 12 hours break between shifts.
