The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) has reminded parents, carers and employers of the laws governing when children are allowed to work.
Referring to the law, the Department said children of compulsory school age were not permitted to work during the hours when they were required to attend school.
“There are also restrictions on the type of job and working hours for children under 15 years of age that apply to all businesses,” DMIRS said.
“Children aged 13 and 14 are allowed to deliver newspapers, pamphlets or advertising material; work in a shop, fast food outlet, café, restaurant; or collect shopping trolleys from a retail outlet or adjacent area,” it said.
The Department said, however, children must have written permission from a parent; the job had to be outside school hours; and children must not start work before 6am or finish after 10pm.
It said younger children, aged 10, 11 or 12, could deliver newspapers, pamphlets or advertising material, but not during school hours and not before 6am or after 7pm.
“In addition, they must be accompanied at all times by a parent, or another adult who has written permission from a parent,” the Department said.
“As long as the work does not prevent school attendance, children of any age can work in a family business owned by a relative such as a parent, aunt, uncle or grandparent.
“They can perform professionally as an actor, musician, entertainer, or in an advertisement, and work for charities and other not-for-profit organisations,” the Department said.
