- Published:
- Tuesday 6 September 2022 at 1:54 pm
It is alleged the operators of Terry White Chemmart Yarrawonga contravened section 9(1) of the Child Employment Act 2003 by failing to obtain a child employment permit before employing a child under 15 years of age.
The charges relate to the alleged employment of a child from December 2021 to January 2022.
The maximum penalty for each offence is $18,174 (100 penalty units) for body corporates and $10,904 per offence (60 penalty units) for individuals involved.
The matter has been listed for mention in the Magistrates’ Court at Melbourne on 13 October 2022.
Background
Victoria’s child employment laws require employers of children under 15 to obtain a permit from the Wage Inspectorate before any work takes place. The law also allows child employment officers to impose special conditions on the employment to protect a child’s safety.
Permits are free, and the online application process to receive one is fast and straightforward. Employers can apply online at wageinspectorate.vic.gov.au.
The permit system protects children from work that could harm their health, safety or wellbeing. It enables the Wage Inspectorate to check that matters like safety, hours of work, rest breaks and supervision are properly considered before employment starts.
This latest court proceeding comes on top of other recent action by the Wage Inspectorate:
- In August 2022, a digital learning company pleaded guilty to 10 criminal charges for breaking child employment laws and was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.
- In June 2022, a Bright cafe was fined $5,000 after pleading guilty to nine breaches of child employment laws.
- In March 2022, the Wage Inspectorate launched a campaign to raise awareness of child employment laws and check that businesses in regional Victoria were complying.
- In October 2021, a travelling circus was ordered to pay $21,000 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to breaking child employment laws.
A prosecution is the Wage Inspectorate’s most serious compliance tool and decisions to take legal action are made in line with its Compliance and Enforcement Policy.
Last financial year, the Wage Inspectorate issued more than 7,700 child employment permits to help businesses safely employ children under 15 years.
A licensing system will be introduced from 1 July 2023 as part of changes to Victoria’s child employment laws. The new system will strengthen protections for children and make it simpler for employers to understand their obligations.
Employers, parents and children can visit wageinspectorate.vic.gov.au for information on child employment or call the Wage Inspectorate’s Helpline on 1800 287 287.
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