Home topics news News News Victoria implements new child employment laws Yajush Gupta July 4, 2023 Victoria has introduced updated child employment laws aimed at ensuring the safety of children under 15 in the workplace. The reforms include a revamped and streamlined licensing system, along with stronger penalties for non-compliance. The state’s child employment watchdog, Wage Inspectorate Victoria, urges employers to familiarize themselves with the new regulations, as recent research has revealed common misconceptions about child employment. The research highlights that 33% of Victorians mistakenly believe that children can start working at the age of 14 and 9 months, while an additional 25% think that the minimum age for employment is 15. However, under the new laws, children as young as 11 can engage in delivery work, and other types of employment can begin from the age of 13, provided the employer holds a valid license. The myth of 14 and 9 months likely stems from the historical age at which children were allowed to leave school and enter the workforce, although this age requirement is no longer applicable under the current child employment laws in Victoria. Developed through consultation with stakeholders and the community, the updated laws introduce a licensing system to replace the previous permit system. This new system enables businesses to employ multiple children under a single license, eliminating the need for separate permits for each employed child. As part of the licensing process, employers will undergo a ‘fit and proper person’ test, which considers factors such