Child employment information has moved
From July 2023, all information relating to the employment of children under 15 years of age can be found on the Wage Inspectorate Victoria section of the vic.gov.au website.
Employing children under 15 years old
Victoria's laws protect children from work that could harm their health or wellbeing.
An employer must get a licence before they employ someone under 15, whether the work is paid or voluntary. Employing a child without a licence is a crime and may be penalised.
There are restrictions on when you can employ children and how many hours they work, start and finish times, and rest breaks. There are also exemptions for parents or guardians who employ their child in a family business.
For all information, including where to apply for a licence, see Employing people under 15 years old.
Entertainment and advertising
There is no minimum age of employment in entertainment or advertising, however, you need an industry specific licence before you can employ a child under 15. This applies to both paid and voluntary work.
Learn more at Child employment licence – entertainment and advertising.
Child safe standards
Victoria’s Child Safe Standards require organisations to embed child safety in their day-to-day operations, helping keep children safe from physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse and neglect.
Employers issued with a child employment licence must comply with Child Safe Standards.
Victorian Working with Children Check
The purpose of the Victorian Working with Children Check (WWC check) is to protect children under 15 years who are employed or undertaking work experience within Victoria under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.
Under s19(b) of the WWC Act 2005 – unless exempt – the employer of children must ensure that Victorian WWC Checks have been conducted, and a Notice of Assessment issued prior to allowing a person to supervise a child under 15 years of age.