Barwon South West has the greatest number of kids under 15 working among the state’s regional areas, according to new Wage Inspectorate Victoria data.
New data from the state’s child employment regulator found that 216 Barwon South West kids joined the workforce before age 15, representing 18 per cent of the state’s total.
Businesses must hold a child employment licence before they employ anyone under 15, with regional Victoria making up 49 per cent of kids in the workforce.
Wage Inspectorate Victoria commissioner Robert Hortle said the new data suggested that kids in regional areas were more likely to look for work over summer than those in metropolitan Melbourne.
He also said regional businesses needed to ensure they understood the state’s child employment licensing system and the rules around supervision, rest breaks, and working hours.
“If regional kids are more likely to work, regional businesses have an even greater incentive to learn about child employment laws,” he said.
“As a country kid myself, I’m not surprised to see so many country businesses giving local kids the opportunity to enter the workforce and earn their first paycheck.
“Kids working in regional areas can be a great help to businesses and the experience can be invaluable for the kids. It’s a win-win, as long as it is done safely and legally.”
Visit wageinspectorate.vic.gov.au for more information on the state’s child employment laws.
