Phillip Island hotspot for child employment non-compliance

WAGE Inspectorate Victoria has released the results of a regional campaign, which included Bass Coast, that found many employers mistakenly believed children need to be 14 and 9 months to work in Victoria.

Child employment officers hit the streets of Phillip Island, Wonthaggi, Inverloch and surrounding areas such as Drouin and Warragul, over four days earlier this year, visiting almost 100 fast food outlets, restaurants and cafes to educate businesses about the need to apply for a child employment permit if they employ anyone under 15 years.

The campaign focused on employers who operated fast food, restaurant and café businesses, with Phillip Island and Inverloch targeted as they are traditionally popular school holiday and tourist destinations.

A total of 36 businesses were visited in Phillip Island and San Remo, with two in Inverloch and Wonthaggi.

Of the 225 businesses that the Child Employment team audited, 21 businesses were found to have employed children, which saw:

* 76% of businesses that employed children did not have permits and were not compliant with the law.
* These businesses that did not have a permit were referred for comprehensive investigation.
* 50% of the businesses that did not comply with the Child Employment permit laws were located in the Phillip Island/San Remo region.
* Many businesses that were visited as part of the campaign had advised they were unaware that they could employ children under the age of 15 years with the appropriately issued permit.

Most non-compliant employers fully cooperated with the Wage Inspectorate and were educated about their obligations. 

They were also put on notice that any future non-compliance with the law would be met with more serious penalties, while one employer remains under investigation.

The permit system, which becomes an even simpler licencing scheme from July 1, 2023, enables the Wage Inspectorate to check the proposed work is safe and appropriate for children under 15.

Consequences for breaking the law range from warnings to fines of more than $18,000 for companies and $11,000 for individuals, while parents can be fined about $2000 for letting their child work for an employer without a permit.

Child employment permits are free and the online application process to receive one is straightforward. Employers can apply online at wageinspectorate.vic.gov.au.