By Jena Carr
Several Surf Coast businesses have breached the state’s child employment laws following a summer compliance blitz.
Wage Inspectorate Victoria inspected businesses from Torquay to Lorne and found that 89 per cent of businesses employing people under 15 were breaching at least one aspect of the law.
Commissioner Robert Hortle said the inspectorate identified close to 550 alleged offences against the Child Employment Act 2003.
“Our intelligence suggested Surf Coast businesses may not be complying with child employment laws, so we expected to find breaches,” he said.
“The Wage Inspectorate is here to help businesses hire kids under 15 safely and legally because it can be a positive experience for both the child and business.
“It’s concerning that most businesses employing kids were breaching the law in one way or another. It shows the need for ongoing education and compliance monitoring.”
The compliance blitz found that 56 per cent of businesses were employing children without the required licence and breaching child employment conditions.
It also found that 33 per cent of businesses had a child employment license but were breaching rules about supervision, work hours and rest breaks.
After the Wage Inspectorate considered the circumstances of the alleged offending, the cooperation of businesses and compliance attempts, the businesses were issued formal warnings.
Mr Hortle said the inspectorate would prefer to help businesses comply with the laws and keep kids safe rather than take the matter to court.
“Some businesses were unaware they needed a child employment licence, and some had overlooked licence conditions,” he said
“While others were unaware they could employ kids under 15 and were pleased to learn more about how they could do so safely and legally.
“We saw a sharp increase in Surf Coast businesses applying for child employment licences, so the campaign clearly raised awareness of these important laws and businesses are keen to comply.”
Surf Coast Shire Council Place Making and Environment general manager Chris Pike said businesses had been informed of the inspections and the need to hold a child employment licence.
“Council has no direct regulatory role or enforcement authority in the operation of businesses and their employment practises,” he said.
“The Wage Inspectorate is the regulator of child employment and has the authority to promote and enforce the laws.
“Council has not received the report from the Wage Inspectorate inspections over summer but will support the Wage Inspectorate to communicate to businesses as required.”
Following the compliance blitz, the Wage Inspectorate saw a 366 per cent increase in Surf Coast businesses applying for child employment licences.
