Victorian businesses battling staff shortages have been advised to look further afield and take a chance on younger staff members with kids as young as 11 legally permitted to work.
The general idea is that you need to be 14 years and 9 mths, but that is a myth says Vic wage inspectorate Lily Dekic in an interview with 9 news.
With correct applications and permits children as young as 11 years are legally allowed to work.
There are strict safety requirements and work hour restrictions which are followed closely by work safe inspectors.
For example 11 and 12 year olds can only work in delivery jobs with a maximum of a 3 hour shift after school.
Kids under the age of 15 need to be in a safe, supervised environment, aren’t able to work during school hours, require more breaks, and should not be working early mornings or late evening shifts.
But the push to consider employing younger staff members may well be the key to success in struggling business’.
It is worth noting that the minimum age for working depends on the state or territory you’re working in.
You can find further details on minimum age requirements for each state via Fair work here
