An interpretation service is available and we have translated child employment information into 8 languages.
Age requirements
In Victoria, the child must be:
- 11 for delivery of newspapers and advertising materials
- 13 to supply pharmaceutical products or carry out other types of work, such as retail or hospitality.
There is no age limit for working in entertainment, but there are industry-specific requirements.
Children may only be employed for light work that is not harmful to their health, safety, well-being and development. A child cannot work:
- on a construction site
- on a fishing boat
- door to door selling.
Licensing system
An employer usually needs a license to employ a person under the age of 15, regardless of whether the work is paid or voluntary. Hiring a child without a license is an offense and can be punished.
Where a license has been granted, a business may employ multiple children under one licence.
Licenses are free and valid for up to 2 years.
Before 1 July 2023, businesses needed permission to employ a child under 15, not a licence. Permits remain valid until they expire, so you do not need a license to employ a child for whom you already have a permit.
Employers who employ children in the entertainment industry must apply for a special entertainment license.
Request a change to your license
Holders of a child labor license can request a change to:
- license term
- license terms
- employer details
- details of a nominated employee or representative of the employer.
Notification Requirements
Employers must use our online portal to notify us of each child they employ. It is preferable to be notified before the child has started work.
Watch our short video about child labor laws.
Animation about child employment laws
Supervision and clerical work
The employer must keep records of the employment of children. Most records must be kept for 12 months after the child has finished working.
Workers under the age of 15 must be supervised by a person who is over 18 years of age and holds a valid Victorian Permit to Work with Children, unless they are exempt, such as a parent supervising their child.
Employers must keep a written supervision record for 5 years, which includes the supervisor’s name and child work number.
A template is available to help you record this information.
(opens in a new window)
(opens in a new window)
Child safety standards
Victoria’s Child Safety Standards require organizations to build child safety into their day-to-day operations, helping to protect children from physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse and neglect.
Employers who have been issued with a permit to employ children must comply with the Child Safety Standards.
Working hours and breaks
There are restrictions on when children can work and for how long:
- Generally, children can only work between 6 am and 9 pm.
- Children cannot work during school hours.
- During the school term, children can work a maximum of 3 hours per day and 12 hours per week.
- During the school holidays, children can work a maximum of 6 hours per day and 30 hours per week.
Children should:
- you get a 30-minute break after every 3 hours of work
- there is at least 12 hours rest between shifts.
The employer is required to maintain a record of the dates, times, hours and places the child works.
The employer can apply to change working hours and holidays.
An employer can also apply for a child to work during school hours through the Ministry of Education.
Parental consent
Employers
You must have the written consent of a parent or guardian before the child starts work, which you must provide to the Payroll Inspectorate if requested.
A sample consent form is available.
(opens in a new window)
(opens in a new window)
Parents and guardians
You should make sure that the business employing your child has a license to employ a child and that the employment does not affect your child’s school attendance or ability to receive training.
Exceptions
The laws do not apply to:
- participation in a religious service
- participation in a school project
- lessons.
Family businesses
Parents or guardians do not need a license to employ their child in their family business and are exempt from rules regarding:
- age restrictions
- hours of work
- vacations.
The child must be supervised primarily by their parent or guardian. If their parent or guardian is temporarily unavailable, they must be supervised by someone over the age of 18.
The child cannot work:
- during school hours
- in roles that may be harmful to their health or well-being
- on a construction site or fishing boat
- doing door-to-door sales.
Work experience
Work placement arrangements are regulated by the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.
Work experience for a child attending secondary school does not require a license, but a license is required for a homeschooled child.
Our role
At the Payroll Inspectorate we:
- provide information on child labor laws
- administers the child employment licensing system
- monitor and enforce compliance with laws
- respond to complaints and non-compliance reports
- promoting child safety outcomes in Victorian workplaces
- monitor and enforce child safety standards in Victorian workplaces.
If you have any questions about employing children, make an inquiry or call 1800 287 287.
Report an employer
Report an employer you suspect is in breach of child employment rules using our online form or by calling 1800 287 287.
