The Guide to the Employment of Children in the Victorian Entertainment Industry

Introduction

This code of practice is made under section 29 of the Child Employment Act 2003 (‘the Act’).

This code of practice contains provisions regulating the employment of children in entertainment.

A child is defined in the Act as a person under 15 years of age.

The employer of a child is required to obtain a permit under the Act before the child can engage in employment, unless the child is working in a family business. It is an offence for a person to employ a child unless a permit has been issued for the employment.

Under section 3 of the Act, entertainment means any form of entertainment and includes –

1. singing, dancing or acting
2. playing a musical instrument
3. appearing in a radio, television, film or Internet program or production, or any similar program or production
4. modelling
5. appearing in promotional events or advertising
6. working as a photographic subject, whether still or moving
7. working in or in relation to a circus
8. taking part in a performance that is recorded for use in a subsequent entertainment or exhibition
9. working in musical theatre, plays, operas or other live entertainment
10. performing in a shopping centre
11. preparatory activities to the entertainment except –
    
    1. screen tests before the child is booked for the entertainment
    2. casting walk ons.

Examples

Examples of preparatory activities include wardrobe fittings, rehearsals, shoots, promotional activities, sounds recordings and re-shoots.

Under section 4(1) of the Act, a child is engaged in employment if the child performs work –

1. under a contract of service or a contract for services (whether written or unwritten); or
2. in a business, trade or occupation carried on for profit under any other arrangement whether or not the child receives payment or other reward for performing that work.

The Act lists activities that do not constitute employment in section 4(3). They include, (but are not limited to) –

1. participating in a church service or religious program
2. participating in a project or entertainment the net proceeds of which are applied for the benefit of a church or other religious body or institution established for public worship
3. participating in a project or entertainment for the benefit or as part of the activities of the school at which the child is enrolled if the child is under the direction or control of the school
4. performing work in relation to a sporting activity, including coaching, refereeing or umpiring (except in relation to martial arts, horse riding, gym instruction and other sporting activity with a high risk of injury that is prescribed by the regulations).

Under section 32 of the Act, a person who employs a child in entertainment must not contravene the code of practice.

Maximum penalties are specified in section 32 as

100 penalty units in the case of a body corporate

60 penalty units in any other case.

The Act gives a number of powers to the Wage Inspectorate Victoria or the Wage Inspectorate Victoria's successor in law.

In practice, a number of these powers are delegated to authorised officers appointed under the Act.

1. Application

This code of practice applies to all employers of children working in entertainment, whether or not the employer is named in a permit issued under Division 2 of Part 2 of the Child Employment Act 2003.

2. Commencement

This code of practice takes effect on 13 October 2014 in accordance with the order of the Minister made under section 31 of the Act and published in the Victoria Government Gazette.

3. Revocation

This Code supersedes the former Code published in the Victoria Government Gazette on 16 June 2005, as amended from time to time, which was revoked by an order of the Minister made under section 33 of the Act on 13 October 2014.

4. Definitions

In this code of practice –

former Code means the Mandatory Code of Practice for the Employment of Children in Entertainment published in the Government Gazette on 16 June 2005, as varied from time-to-time;

registered midwife means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Victoria) –

1. to practice in the nursing and midwifery profession as a midwife (other than as a student); and
2. in the register of midwives kept for that purpose;

registered nurse means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Victoria) –

1. to practice in the nursing and midwifery profession as a nurse (other than as a midwife or student); and
2. in the registered nurses division of that profession;

registered teacher means a person registered under Part 2.6 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 as a teacher or a person who is granted permission to teach under Part 2.6;

rest break means a period during which the child is not required to carry out any employment duties, including rehearsal and preparation.

the Act means the Child Employment Act 2003;

tutoring means the delivery of education by a tutor as required under Part 5;

week means:

1. if an employer has a regular working week, the period of 7 consecutive days beginning on and including the day ordinarily regarded as the start of that working week;
2. if an employer does not have a regular working week, the period of 7 consecutive days beginning on and including a Monday.

Example:

If an employer regularly rosters its employees over a 7-day period, beginning on a Thursday and ending on a Wednesday, this would be the employer’s regular working week and so it would be the week for the purposes of this Part.

Note:

Other expressions used in this code of practice have the same meanings as they have in the Act. For example –

child means a person under 15 years of age;

Department means the Department of State Development, Business and Innovation or its successor in law; and.

Wage Inspectorate Victoria means the Wage Inspectorate Victoria established under section 19 of the Wage Theft Act 2020'.

5. Relationship with awards and agreements

The application of this code of practice is subject to the provisions of any award or agreement in force under the Fair Work Act 2009 that are directly applicable to the employment of children under 15 in entertainment.

6. Provision of information about code to parents and guardians

1. Before a child commences employment, an employer must ensure that a parent or guardian of the child is provided with a summary document, in the form approved by the Wage Inspectore Victoria, explaining this code of practice.
2. The Wage Inspectorate Victoria must make the approved form of the summary document available to employers by publishing it on the Internet or making it available in any other manner the Wage IInspectorate Victoria considers appropriate.
3. If a parent or guardian of the child requests a copy of this code of practice, the employer must ensure that it is provided to the parent or guardian.

7. Personal information

Before a child commences employment, an employer must obtain from a parent or guardian of the child the following:

1. the name, home address and home telephone numbers of the child; and
2. the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the child’s parents or guardians; and
3. the name, address and telephone numbers of any person who has lawful authority to consent to the medical treatment of the child; and
4. an authority signed by a person who has lawful authority to consent to the medical treatment of the child, consenting to the employer seeking, or where appropriate, administering, any emergency medical treatment as is reasonably necessary; and
5. the name, address and telephone numbers of any person who is to be notified of any accident, injury, trauma or illness involving the child; and
6. details of allergies or other relevant medical conditions and needs of the child; and; and
7. details of any dietary restrictions of the child; and
8. names, addresses and telephone numbers of the persons who are authorised to collect the child from the employer.

Note:

A Child Information Form, which may be used to record the information specified above, is available at business.vic.gov.au/childemployment.

8. Records of employment

An employer must include the following additional details in the records required to be kept under the Child Employment Regulations 2004:

1. details of the location at which the child is employed on each occasion of employment; and
2. the times during which the child received education from a tutor engaged by the employer, and the general subject matters covered; and
3. the information obtained under clause 6.

Note:

Under the Child Employment Regulations 2004 employers must keep records containing:

1. the times the child started work and finished work each day of work; and
2. the hours the child worked each day and each week; and
3. the date the child started employment and the date that he or she finished employment
4. each date the child worked.

Under the Act, employers must also keep certain records relating to parental consent, exemptions from school attendance and child supervisors. Further information about record keeping requirements is available at business.vic.gov.au/childemployment.

9. Access to child employment permit

An employer must take a copy of a child’s employment permit to each workplace of the child and be able to access the permit.

Note:

Under the Act, an authorised officer may require a person to produce a document (including a child employment permit).

10. Provision of information about proposed employment

Before a child commences employment, an employer must ensure that:

1. the parent or guardian of the child has sufficient information about the intended role and duties that the child will perform and the intended employment hours and workplaces to make an informed decision
2. the parent or guardian of the child has consented in writing to the proposed employment.

Note:

Under section 13 of the Act, when applying for a child employment permit, a prospective employer must give an undertaking that they will ensure that a parent or guardian of the child consents in writing to the child’s employment before the employment commences.

11. Food and drink

1. An employer must ensure that each child has, at reasonable hours during the employment, access to appropriate and sufficient nutritious food, having regard to the age, taste, culture and dietary restrictions of the child.
2. An employer must ensure that each child has access at all times during the employment to water and such other drinks that are suitable having regard to the age and dietary restrictions of the child.

12. Toilet, washing and dressing room facilities

1. An employer must ensure that clean and accessible toilet, hand-washing and hand-drying facilities are provided at each place of work of the child.
2. An employer must ensure that facilities exist so that any child is able to dress and undress in private.

13. Recreation facilities

An employer must ensure that appropriate recreational materials and rest facilities are available for each child during breaks in work, having regard to the age and developmental needs of the child and the length of the employment.

14. Protection from harmful weather

An employer must ensure that during the employment each child is adequately clothed and otherwise protected from weather that may be harmful to the child’s health or safety.

15. Medical issues

1. An employer must not allow a child to work if the child is known by the employer to be ill, to be unfit for work, or to be carrying or to have been exposed to an infectious disease that poses a risk to the health of others in the workplace.
2. If a child becomes ill or is injured while at work, the employer must immediately notify one of the child’s parents or guardians of that fact, or, if no parent or guardian is contactable, another person nominated by the parent or guardian.

Note:

Under clause 7(d), prior to employing a child an employer must also obtain a signed authority to seek or administer any emergency medical treatment to the child as is reasonably necessary.

16. Punishment prohibited

An employer must ensure that a child is not subjected during the employment to any form of corporal punishment, social isolation, immobilisation or any other behaviour likely to humiliate or frighten the child.

17. Inappropriate roles or situations

1. An employer must ensure that a child is not cast in a role or situation that is inappropriate to the child, having regard to the child’s age, maturity, emotional or psychological development and sensitivity.
2. An employer must not allow a child:
   1. to be exposed to scenes or situations that are likely to cause distress or embarrassment to the child
   2. to become distressed in order to obtain a more realistic depiction of a particular emotional reaction.
3. Subject to subclause (4), an employer must not employ a child in any situation in which the child is naked and must ensure that the child is not present when any other person is naked.
4. Subclause (3) does not apply if:
   1. the child is under the age of 12 months; and
   2. a parent or guardian of the child has provided written consent to the employer authorising the child to be naked or present when any other person is naked; and
   3. a parent or guardian of the child is present for the whole period during which the child is naked, or the other person is naked, as the case may be.

18. Supervision

1. In addition to the supervision obligations in section 19 of the Act, an employer must ensure that:a child aged 12 weeks or older but less than 6 years old is supervised by:
   1. a parent or guardian of the child or a person nominated by the employer and authorised by the parent or guardian, or:
      1. a person who holds an approved early childhood teaching qualification included in the list, as in force from time to time, published by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority in accordance with regulation 137(1)(a) of the Education and Care Services National Regulations; or
      2. a person who holds a diploma level education and care qualification included in the list, as in force from time to time, published by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority in accordance with regulation 137(1)(b) of the Education and Care Services National Regulations; or
      3. a registered nurse, or a registered midwife; and
   2. a child aged 6 years or older, is supervised by a parent or guardian of the child, or a person nominated by the employer and authorised by the parent or guardian, or by an adult with training or experience in the care of children of the age of the child to be supervised; and
   3. a child less than 12 weeks old is supervised in accordance with the requirements in clause 32.
2. An employer must ensure that a supervisor of a child is not given other responsibilities that prevent the supervisor from providing direct supervision to the child.

Note:

Under section 19 of the Act an employer must ensure that a child is provided with direct and adequate supervision at all times by a person who has a current assessment notice under the Working with Children Act 2005 or is exempt from the requirement to have a current assessment notice under section 19B of the Act.

The Education and Care Services National Regulations prescribe staff to child ratios that must be adhered to when children are being cared for or educated by a children’s service. These ratios, while not prescribed for the purposes of this code of practice, may provide guidance as to the appropriate number of supervisors where multiple children are engaged. Further detail about these ratios is available at business.vic.gov.au/childemployment.

19. Parental contact

1. An employer must at all times during the employment ensure that each child is able to make contact with their parents or guardians or with some other person responsible for the child and must facilitate the making of any such contact whenever the child so requests or whenever it is otherwise appropriate to do so in the interests of the child.
2. Subject to subclause (3), an employer must allow a parent or guardian of a child to be present at the workplace at all times when the child is present at the workplace.
3. An employer may exclude a parent or guardian from a particular area of the workplace or from direct contact with the child, provided that the exclusion is only for a period and only from an area necessary to ensure that the employer’s undertaking or production is not unduly disrupted, or to protect the health and safety of any person present in the workplace including the parent or guardian.
4. If the child’s employment requires the child to spend 1 or more nights away from home, the employer must provide appropriate accommodation for both the child and a parent or guardian of the child, if the parent or guardian intends to accompany the child.

20. Travel home

1. An employer must ensure that each child aged less than 13 years is collected or taken home after the child finishes work by a parent or guardian of the child, or a person authorised by the parent or guardian to collect or take home the child.
2. An employer must ensure that each child aged 13 years or older is collected or taken home after the child finishes work by a parent or guardian of the child, or a person authorised by the parent or guardian to collect or take home the child, unless either of the following applies:
   1. the distance between work and home is less than 10 kilometres and travel home will be completed in the ordinary course within daylight hours or before 6pm, whichever is earlier
   2. the employer has been provided with written consent from a parent or guardian of the child permitting the child to travel home alone, and travel home will be completed in the ordinary course before 8.30pm.
3. An employer must ensure that each child’s journey home commences within 30 minutes after the child finishes work unless the child is accompanied by a parent or guardian of the child.

21. Calculation of employment time

1. A child’s total period of employment during any period of 24 hours is to be calculated as if the following periods formed part of the time for which the child is employed:
   1. any time in excess of 1 hour spent by the child in travelling from home to the place of work; and
   2. any time in excess of 1 hour spent by the child in travelling home from the final place of work; and
   3. the whole of the time that the child is required to be at work, excluding the 45-minute rest break required under clause 25 (provided that any time taken for the rest break in excess of 45 minutes must be counted as time worked, unless the longer rest break is taken in order to comply with an award or agreement in force under the Fair Work Act 2009); and
   4. if the employer is responsible for bringing the child to work, any time between the child’s arrival at the place of work and the child’s actual commencement of work; and
   5. if the employer is responsible for taking the child home from work, any time between the child’s final place of work and the start of the child’s journey home from work.
2. Any travel in excess of 1 hour under subclause (1)(a) or (b) must be within the spread of hours during which a child may be employed as specified under clause 22.

22. Maximum number of days of employment in any week, employment hours per day, consecutive days of employment and spread of hours

1. An employer must not employ a child in excess of the maximum number of days of employment in any week, the maximum employment hours per day or the maximum number of consecutive days of employment specified in Table A or Table B (whichever applies).
2. An employer must not employ a child outside the spread of hours specified in Table A or Table B (whichever applies).
3. Table A applies to children working in any form of entertainment not covered by Table B, including:
   1. appearing in a radio, television, film or Internet program or production, or any similar program or production
   2. appearing in promotional events or advertising
   3. working as a photographic subject, whether still or moving
   4. modelling
   5. performing in a shopping centre
   6. taking part in a performance that is recorded for use in a subsequent entertainment or exhibition
   7. taking part in preparatory activities to these forms of entertainment (excluding screen tests before the child is booked for the entertainment and casting walk-ons).
4. Table B applies to children working in musical theatre, plays, operas or other live entertainment, or in or in relation to a circus, including preparatory activities to these forms of entertainment (excluding casting walk-ons).
5. An employer must not employ a child to work later than 9pm on any day if the child is required to attend school on the morning of the following day.
6. An employer must not employ a child for more than 4 hours on any day on which the child attends school for at least 3 hours.

Table A – Film, Television, Radio, Advertising, Photography, Modelling etc.

* A child cannot work beyond 9pm if they are required to attend school on the morning of the following day.

** A child cannot work for more than 4 hours on any day on which they attend school for 3 hours or more.

Table B – Live Entertainment, including Musical Theatre, Plays, Operas, Circus etc.

* A child cannot work beyond 9pm if they are required to attend school on the morning of the following day.

** A child cannot work for more than 4 hours on any day on which they attend school for 3 hours or more.

23. Maximum weekly education and employment hours

1. In this clause –

education hours means:

1. if the child has not been exempted from attendance at school, 4 hours for each school day; or
2. if the child has been fully or partly exempted under section 2.1.5 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 from attendance at school to undertake employment:
   1. any hours of tutoring required to be undertaken in accordance with this code of practice; and
   2. 4 hours on any day that the child attends school for 4 hours or more, or 2 hours on any day that the child attends school for less than 4 hours.

employent hours means the hours that a child is employed in any week.

2. A child’s combined education hours and employment hours must not exceed 40 hours in any week.

3. An employer must not employ a child in contravention of subclause (2).

Note:

It is an offence under the Act for a child to be employed during school hours on any school day unless the child has been granted an exemption from attendance at school. A child’s school principal has authority to exempt the child from school attendance to undertake employment in the entertainment industry. Applications for exemptions must be made, and will be assessed, in accordance with Department of Education and Early Childhood Development guidelines.

The limit of 40 hours per week for work and education is an overall maximum. Employers must also comply with clause 22 of this code of practice, which limits the spread of hours, number of hours per day, number of days per week and number of consecutive days that a child may be employed (see clause 22, Tables A and B)

24. Shifts

1. Subject to this clause, an employer –
   1. must not employ a child for more than one shift on any day; and
   2. must ensure that a child is not required to start work on a day less than 12 hours after the child has finished work on the previous day, whether for the same or for any other employer.
2. Subclause 1(a) does not apply if the working day is interrupted to enable the child to attend regular school.
3. Subclause 1(b) does not apply if the employer reasonably believes, after making reasonable enquiries, that before commencing work with the employer, the child had not worked for another employer in the preceding 12-hour period.

25. Rest breaks

An employer must ensure that a child is given:

1. a 10-minute rest break every hour; and
2. a 45-minute rest break every 5 hours, provided that the first 45-minute break must commence at or before 1pm if the child commenced work prior to 10am.

26. Variation of clauses 22, 23, 24 and 25

1. On written application from an employer, the Wage Inspectorate Victoria, or an authorised officer appointed under section 38 of the Act, may approve in writing a variation of any requirement of clauses 22, 23, 24 or 25 in relation to a particular activity, event, performance or production.
2. The employer’s application must contain reasons for the proposed variation and be provided to the Wage Inspectorate Victoria or an authroised officer sufficiently in advance of the work in question to enable a proper assessment to be made of the merits of the application.
3. A variation may only be approved if the Wage Inspectorate Victoria or an authroised officer is satisfied that the health, education and moral and material welfare of the child or children concerned will not suffer as a result of the variation.
4. A variation is subject to any conditions determined by the Wage Inspectorate VIctoria or an authorised officer and specified in the variation.
5. The employer must comply with the requirement as varied under this section, including any conditions to which the variation is subject.

27. When tutoring is to be provided

1. If a child has been exempted from attendance at school under section 2.1.5 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 and it is a condition of the exemption that the child fulfil a stipulated period of education, the employer must engage a tutor to provide the stipulated amount and subject matter (if stipulated) of education.
2. If no period of education is stipulated in the exemption, once a child is absent from school for a period or periods totalling 9 days during employment with the employer, the employer must engage a tutor to provide at least 2 hours of education on each school day for the remainder of the employment.
3. For the purposes of subclause (2), if a child attends school for a part day on 2 occasions, that is taken to be a day’s absence. A part day is a day on which a child attends school for less than 4 hours.
4. The employer may meet the obligation in subclause (2) by providing tutoring over a period of up to 4 weeks, such that the child receives an average of 10 hours of tutoring per week over that period.

28. Hours of tutoring

1. If an employer is required to engage a tutor under clause 27, the employer must ensure that the tutoring is provided during the spread of hours specified under clause 22.
2. Despite subclause (1), if the provision of tutoring during the spread of hours specified under clause 22 is impractical, a parent or guardian of the child and the employer may agree for the parent or guardian to obtain the services of a tutor to provide education outside the spread of hours.
3. For the avoidance of doubt:
   1. when calculating the total weekly hours of employment and education under clause 23, any time spent in tutoring undertaken in accordance with subclause (2) must be included; and
   2. when calculating the maximum employment hours per day and maximum number of days of employment in any week under clause 22, any time spent in tutoring must not be included.

29. Qualifications of tutor

A tutor engaged by an employer under clause 27 must be a registered teacher who is appropriately qualified to teach the child having regard to the child’s age and level of education.

30. Tutoring facilities/education plan

If an employer is required to engage a tutor under clause 27, the employer must:

1. ensure that the tutor is given a proper opportunity to consult with the child’s school and develop an education plan for the child in consultation with the school; and
2. provide an area of sufficient space and facilities of sufficient quality to enable the tutor to provide appropriate education to the child, and ensure that children being tutored, and the tutor have exclusive access to the area and facilities while education is being provided.

31. Tutoring expenses

1. If a parent or guardian of the child obtains the services of a tutor to provide tutoring outside the spread of hours in accordance with subclause 28(2), the employer must reimburse the parent or guardian for the costs of the tutor.
2. For the avoidance of doubt, an employer is not obliged under subclause (1) to reimburse the parent or guardian for tutoring hours in excess of those required to be provided in accordance with this code of practice.

32. Application of this Part

This Part applies to babies who are less than 12 weeks old.

33. Baby to be fit for employment and adequately supervised

1. An employer must not employ a baby for more than one hour on any day unless:
   1. a registered nurse or registered midwife is present at all times; and
   2. a parent or guardian of the baby is present at all times; and
   3. the registered nurse or registered midwife advises the employer that the baby is fit for employment; and
   4. the registered nurse or registered midwife advises the employer that the environment in which the baby is to be employed is unlikely to cause the baby to become distressed; and
   5. the employer follows the advice of the registered nurse or registered midwife in all matters that relate to the welfare of the baby.
2. An employer may employ a baby for one hour or less on any day provided that:
   1. a parent or guardian of the baby is present at all times; and
   2. the employer is satisfied on advice from the parent or guardian that:
      1. the baby was delivered full term and in good health
      2. the baby’s birth weight was at least 3 kilograms
      3. the baby has not had any post-natal problems
      4. the baby is feeding successfully
      5. the baby’s weight gain from birth has been satisfactory.

34. Harmful lighting not to be used

An employer must not allow a baby to be exposed to harmful lighting during the employment.

35. Use of make-up

An employer must not allow make-up to be applied to a baby during the employment unless the make-up is non-irritating and uncontaminated.

36. Segregation from persons suffering respiratory or skin infections

An employer must not allow any person who is known by the employer to have a respiratory or skin infection or to be carrying an infectious disease to come into contact with a baby during the baby’s employment.

37. General transitional provision

This part does not affect or take away from the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984.

38. Application of Code to employment before 13 October 2014

1. This clause applies to a contract or other arrangement under which a child was employed in entertainment in accordance with the Act, the Regulations and the former Code, that was in force immediately before 13 October 2014 and that continues in force on and after that day.
2. On and after 13 October 2014, the provisions of this code of practice that are applicable during the employment of a child apply in relation to a contract or other arrangement referred to in subclause (1).

39. Application of Code to permit granted before 13 October 2014

1. This clause applies to a permit for a child to engage in employment in entertainment that was granted in accordance with the Act, the Regulations and the former Code, that was in force immediately before 13 October 2014 and that continues in force on or after that day.
2. On and after 13 October 2014, the following provisions of this code of practice apply in relation to the employment to which a permit referred to in subclause (1) relates –
   1. if the employment commenced before 13 October 2014, the provisions of this code of practice are applicable during the employment of a child;
   2. if the employment commences on or after 13 October 2014, the whole of this code of practice.

Further information

On 1 July 2023, Victoria’s child employment permit system was replaced with a licensing system.

Visit www.wageinspectorate.vic.gov.au for more information and advice about:

• the Child Employment Act 2003 (Vic)
• applying for a Child Employment Licence.

Or contact Wage Inspectorate Victoria via telephone on 1800 287 287 or email.

This section provides a summary of the key things you need to know when employing a child in the entertainment industry. You can follow the references to other parts of The Guide for more information. This section is not intended to be comprehensive.

As always, please contact a Child Employment Officer or seek legal advice if you are unsure of your obligations.

A Child Employment Permit must be issued prior to a child being employed.

The application process:

• Application submitted online by the employer.
• Details of the child and others must be entered accurately, as they would appear on their birth certificate or other legal document.
• Supporting documents (assessment materials) to be included with application (scripts, storyboards, safety reports, etc).
• Parent must be provided with detailed written information about proposed employment and consent to it in writing.
• School exemption to be sought and granted in writing if employment during school hours.
• Permit application assessed by Child Employment Officers.
• Proposed employment must not adversely affect a child’s health, safety, education, moral or material welfare, and must not cause a child to be subject to any form of exploitation.

Forms to be completed or obtained prior to employment commencing

• Child Employment Permit
• Parental Consent Form
• School Exemption Form (if employment during school hours)
• Child Information Form
• Record of supervisors’ Working with Children Check (WWC Check) number
• Parent information sheet to parent.

Note: A child must be directly and adequately supervised at all times by a supervisor who has a valid Working with Children Check.

Hours of work must be in accordance with Tables A and B (below) and within the maximum weekly combination of education and employment hours and associated provisions.

Note: A child cannot work beyond 9pm if they are required to attend school on the following morning.

Note: A child cannot work for more than four hours on any day on which they attend school for 3 hours or more.

Working hours include:

• one shift per day
• 12-hour break between shifts
• 10-minute rest break every hour
• 45-minute meal break every 5 hours but no later than 1pm (does not count as time worked)
• travel time in excess of one hour each way
• travel time must be within the allowable starting and finishing times.

Education includes attendance at school and tutoring (if required).

A week is defined as 7 days, Monday to Sunday, or the employer’s usual working week.

Combined education and employment hours must not exceed 40 in any week (less for younger children). The time available for work is up to 40 hours, minus education hours (depending on age).

If employed during school hours, a parent must apply for a school exemption and provide it to the employer. Variations to the hours of work are only available when in the best interest of the child and they are not a solution to poor planning or scheduling errors.

Variation applications are required in writing and can be made online on the Business Victoria website.

Table A and Table B of the Code

Table A

This table applies to children working in television, film, radio, internet productions, promotional events, advertising, photographic modelling, shopping centre performances and recorded performances.

* A child cannot work beyond 9pm if they are required to attend school on the morning of the following day.

**A child cannot work for more than 4 hours on any day on which they attend school for 3 hours or more.

Table B

This table applies to children working in musical theatre, plays, operas, other live entertainment or a circus.

* A child cannot work beyond 9pm if they are required to attend school on the morning of the following day.

** A child cannot work for more than 4 hours on any day on which they attend school for 3 hours or more.

If a child misses more than 9 days of school due to employment, the employer must arrange and provide tutoring.

An education plan is developed between the tutor and child’s school. The tutor must be suitably qualified for the age of the child.

Tutoring is generally 10 hours per week or as specified by the school principal.

The employer must provide an exclusive area for tutoring purposes.

Under occupational health and safety laws, the employer must provide a safe workplace.

Requirements at the workplace include the employer providing children with:

• protection from weather that could be harmful
• suitable rest and recreational facilities, having regard to child’s age, needs and the length of the engagement
• private dressing facilities, and clean and accessible toilet and hand-washing facilities at every workplace
• water and other suitable drinks and access to appropriate and sufficient nutritious food.

Special requirements apply for employment of babies under 12 weeks (page 36).

A child must not be cast in a role or situation that is inappropriate (consider adult themes, language, violence).

A child must not be exposed to scenes or situations that are likely to cause distress or embarrassment.

A child (12 months or over) must not perform naked or with others who are naked.

A baby under 12 months may only perform naked with written parental consent and presence throughout.

Record-keeping

Record-keeping requirements apply to all employers and include:

To be eligible to be a supervisor you must be:

• a parent or guardian of the child
• approved by the parent or guardian of the child following nomination by the employer
• either appropriately qualified or experienced to supervise the child (depending on their age)
• holder of a current Working with Children Check (WWC Check) (except for parents and extended family).

Who can be appointed as a supervisor?

Options include health professionals like registered nurses, a parent or guardian or an employer’s representative. The requirements depend on the age of the child being supervised, and the duration of their work.

Role and responsibilities of a supervisor

• You can only be given other tasks to the extent that they do not interfere with your ability to provide direct supervision to the children in your care.
• If you find yourself in a situation where you have so much to do that it becomes difficult to directly supervise, you should advise your employer immediately that you are not able to do the additional tasks.
• Your responsibility is to directly supervise the children at the workplace. This involves ensuring that at all times you are in visual contact with the children and focused on their wellbeing in the workplace.
• Children must not be left in the care of any person who is not nominated as a supervisor. It is not the responsibility of the supervisor, however, to take on the role of the employer at the workplace.
• If you have a valid WWC Check it can be used for subsequent employment should you be nominated as a supervisor.
• You are required to ensure you update your current employer record on the WWC Check website.

Parents as supervisors

• A parent can be a supervisor. However, a parent is not taking on the responsibilities of the employer.
• A parent acting as supervisor accepts that his or her role at the workplace is to provide direct supervision of the child.
• A parent cannot be compelled to take this role; it is the parent’s choice.
• If a parent is not available or is unable to commit to directly supervise then the employer must appoint another appropriate person.
• If the parent is to take on the role, then he or she must be fully briefed about the role and responsibilities.

Process for raising concerns

What do I do if I am concerned about the safety of a particular activity the child is engaged in?

• As you are the responsible person for direct supervision, if you have a concern then you should address it.
• This may involve removing the child from the activity if the matter is particularly urgent or you may first discuss it with the employer to have the activity changed.
• You could also contact a Child Employment Officer or Victorian WorkCover Authority, depending on the nature of the issue.

All references to parents include guardians.

Information to be provided to a parent or guardian:

• A prospective employer is required to provide you with a range of information in writing about the proposed employment of your child, via a Parental Consent Form, including:
  • the name and contact details of the employer and the employer representative
  • workplace location and the business, trade or occupation carried on
  • duties to be performed by the child
  • details of the role to be played by your child
  • hours of work
  • dates of commencement and completion of employment
  • whether employment is proposed during school hours.
• Additionally, prior to your child commencing, the employer must ensure you have received a summary document telling you about the Code. If you request a full copy of the Code, then the employer must provide you with a copy.

Legal responsibilities of a parent or guardian

What are my legal responsibilities as a parent of a child working in entertainment?

Consent to your child’s employment:

• Your key responsibility, following the provision of relevant information and appropriate consideration, is to consent to your child’s employment.
• It is an offence for the employer to employ your child prior to you giving written consent. Similarly, it is an offence for you to allow your child to be employed without a permit having been issued to the employer.
• If your child is of school age, and employment is proposed during the school term, it is also your responsibility to obtain an exemption from school attendance for your child.

Provide employer with contact and medical details:

• Once an offer of employment has been made and accepted, a Child Employment Permit issued, and you have provided written consent for your child to be employed, your next responsibility is to provide the employer with a range of contact and medical information and authorisations concerning your child. The employer is not permitted to commence employing your child until you provide this information.
• You should obtain the contact details of the employer and direct supervisor so that you are able to contact them, for example, to notify them if your child is ill or unable to attend work when required.

Hours of work

Do I have any obligations regarding the number of hours my child works?

• You should make yourself familiar with the hours of work requirements that relate to your child.
• You do not have the right to authorise an employer to work your child beyond the maximum hours. Additional hours can only be worked if you agree and a formal variation is granted by a Child Employment Officer.
• A 12-hour break between shifts is required under the Code. To enable employers to comply with their obligation to always provide a child with a 12-hour break between shifts, you must tell the employer if the proposed start for your child is less than 12 hours since finishing work on the previous day.

Parent attendance at child’s workplace

• If your child is more than 12 weeks old, there is no obligation for you to remain at the workplace with your child unless you have accepted the role of direct supervisor.
• You should communicate clearly with the employer so that all parties understand your involvement on the day of employment. There are some employers and some situations where employers would prefer that you remain with your child and there are other employers who may prefer that you do not remain.
• The Code requires the employer to allow you to be present at the workplace at all times that your child is there. It provides that the employer may exclude you from a particular area or from direct contact with your child for a period only when necessary to ensure the production is not disrupted or to protect the health and safety of any person present.
• If your child requests contact with you or another person, the employer must facilitate this.

Parent as supervisor

• A parent or guardian can be a supervisor. If asked to take on this role you should understand that you are not taking on the responsibilities of an employer but accepting that your role at the workplace is to provide direct supervision of your own child. This involves remaining with your child throughout the day and not becoming distracted by other children or activities elsewhere.
• You cannot be compelled to take this role; it is your choice (unless the child is under 12 weeks).
• If your child’s employment necessitates being away from home overnight and you are to accompany your child, the employer must provide appropriate accommodation for you and your child.

Records to be maintained

• The employer is required to keep records of the hours your child worked and provide you with a copy on request.
• The employer must also keep a copy of the Child Employment Permit, your written consent to your child’s employment and any relevant school exemptions.
• A record must be maintained of your child’s supervisor and their WWC Check number.
• In order to ensure that all parents are fully informed of their child’s and the employer’s rights and responsibilities, the employer is required to provide a copy of the Code to any parent who requests a copy.
• As a parent it is in your and your child’s best interest to fully understand the regulation that covers child employment. A copy of the Code, the Act and the CE Regulations are downloadable from business.vic.gov.au/childemployment. Alternatively, a copy can be requested from a Child Employment Officer.

Process for raising concerns

• If you have any concerns about anything relating to the employment of your child, you should ensure these are addressed.
• You could talk to the employer directly.
• If you are unsure about who the employer is you should refer to the Child Employment Permit, which names the employer and the employer representative and gives their contact details.
• Alternatively, you could seek out the photographer, production company producer, company manager or some other person in authority. If this is not possible, or you don’t feel comfortable with this, you might approach a supervisor or someone else on the production cast or crew. Other options include your child’s union organiser, agent or a Child Employment Officer.

A child who works in the entertainment industry may in some cases be required to work hours that can affect school attendance. Schools have an important role in ensuring that a child’s education is not adversely affected by the child’s work in the entertainment industry.

Exemption process

Exemption scenarios:

• A child may be exempted fully or partially from attending school.
• The employer must engage a tutor to deliver the school’s specified number of hours of education. The school may also specify subjects or curriculum to be taught.
• A child may be exempted from attending school without the school having specified the number of hours of education that the child is to receive. In this case, the employer must engage a tutor once the child has been absent from school for the equivalent of 9 days in any one school term. The tutor must be engaged to deliver to the child a minimum of 2 hours of education per day (or an average of 2 hours of education per day over 4 weeks) until employment finishes.
• If no exemption has been granted, the child must attend school.

A child may be engaged by an employer for up to a maximum of 40 hours per week (depending on the age of the child). The 40-hour week includes working hours and education hours (schooling and tutoring).

What is the exemption process?

• If a school principal receives an application for an exemption for a child to be employed in the entertainment industry, they should take into account the length and regularity of the absence when assessing the effects. In the great majority of cases, the engagement would be for no more than a few hours on an occasional basis.
• If a child is to be engaged in employment during school hours, the child’s parent should apply to the school principal for an exemption from attending school so that a child can work in the entertainment industry. The school principal will make an assessment about whether he or she believes that the child’s education will be adversely affected by the employment. The principal will take into account the short and long-term benefits to the child, the child’s educational needs, attitudes, employment prospects and the family’s views.
• The process for obtaining an exemption from school is separate from the Child Employment Permit application process. The exemption process is prescribed by the Department of Education and Training. Questions about the process should be directed to the appropriate Department of Education and Training office.
• If the proposed employment is a longer-term project and the principal determines that the child could benefit from receiving tutoring during his or her absence, the principal is able to determine exactly how much tutoring is required and what subjects should be covered, by setting conditions in relation to the exemption.
• A principal may specifically determine that the child does not need tutoring, and this will be noted in the exemption.
• If the principal does not stipulate one way or the other then the child will receive 2 hours of tutoring per day, after an absence equivalent to 9 days in a school term.

Applications for Child Employment Permits

• Schools do not have to sign applications for Child Employment Permits. The school exemption process is separate to permit applications. The permit application only requires a signature from the principal if the proposed employment is part of a formal work experience arrangement.
• If the principal’s assessment of the child’s educational needs changes, the principal can change the conditions attached to an exemption at any time.

Tutoring information

• Any tutor provided by the employer must be a registered teacher and must be appropriately qualified.
• The employer is required to provide an opportunity for the tutor to make contact with the school the child is attending, and to develop an education plan for the child in consultation with the school so that the needs of the child are specifically addressed.
• If the tutor does not contact the principal or the principal is not satisfied with the level of consultation about the work being undertaken by the child, the principal should raise this concern with a Child Employment Officer.

There are a number of situations when an employer is required to engage a tutor at a workplace:

• A child may be exempted from attending school, but his or her school may specify the number of hours of tutoring that he or she is to receive. In such a case, the employer must engage a tutor to deliver the specified number of hours of education. The school may also specify the subjects or curriculum to be taught.
• A child may be exempted from attending school without the school having specified the number of hours of education that the child is to receive. In this case, the employer must engage a tutor once the child has been absent from school for the equivalent of 9 days in any one school term. The tutor must be engaged to deliver a minimum of 2 hours of education per day (or an average of 40 hours of education over four weeks).

If no exemption has been granted, the child must attend school.

Tutor qualifications

• Tutors must be registered as a teacher in Victoria through the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
• Tutors must also be appropriately qualified to teach the children in question. If the children are secondary school level, then they must be qualified to teach secondary level.

Tutoring facilities

• The Code states that the employer must provide dedicated facilities of sufficient size and quality appropriate to the education to be provided.
• The education facility should be for the exclusive use of the tutor and children.
• The employer must ensure the facility has the necessary equipment and space for the children who will use it. Clearly a small trailer out on location would be insufficient for a group of 10 children who all had daily schooling requirements. Similarly, a corner of a green room set up with a couple of desks and chairs would not meet the dedicated facility requirement.

Tutoring requirements

Tutoring will usually take place during normal working or school hours. The hours spent in education are considered to be part of working hours.

In some cases, however, the employer and the child’s parent may agree that tutoring will take place outside of working hours.

In most circumstances, a tutor will be engaged and paid directly by the employer. In some cases, where tutoring takes place outside of school hours, a tutor may be paid by the parent who will later be reimbursed by the employer.

Tutors do not require a WWC Check as they are exempt.

The Code requires the employer to ensure records are kept of the hours of tutoring given to each child and the subject matter covered.

The record can be kept in any form as long as it is legible, accessible and in English. The record should be maintained for the same period as the hours records (12 months from the last entry).

The employer is required to ensure that the tutor is able to develop an education plan for the child in consultation with the child’s school. If the employer does not facilitate this, the tutor should contact a Child Employment Officer.

In some limited cases, there is a requirement for a nurse to be engaged to care for children at a workplace in the entertainment industry. In other cases, production companies may choose to engage a nurse on set.

Responsibilities of a nurse

• If a nurse proposes to work with children in the entertainment industry, they must have a valid WWC Check.
• A nurse should have a good understanding of occupational health and safety issues that surround the employment of children in the entertainment industry and the needs of children generally so that they can effectively supervise children at work.
• An employer is required to engage a nurse on set if employing a baby less than 12 weeks old for one hour or more. A nurse is required to:
  • be present at all times to care for the baby;
  • advise the employer as to whether the baby is fit for employment; and
  • advise the employer if the environment is likely to distress the baby.
• The employer must follow a nurse’s professional advice on all matters in relation to the welfare of the baby.
• Some employers choose to engage a nurse specifically for the purpose of supervising children at work even though it may not be a minimum requirement. This might be the case particularly if there is a higher than usual risk with any of the action involved in the job.

In most cases the role of the child’s agent is limited in a formal sense. Agents often assist with the movement of documents between the parties, as well as providing employers with details of the child in order for the employer to complete the online application for a Child Employment Permit.

Agents can play an important role in ensuring that those who book children through their agencies are following the correct procedures in terms of requirements for permits. Agents are also often the first to know if something has gone wrong on a particular engagement.

• Child Employment Officers are appointed under the Child Employment Act 2003 (Vic) (the Act) and have 2 key roles:
  • to provide information to all relevant and interested parties about the operation of the Act, and their rights and responsibilities
  • to investigate applications for permits and ensure compliance with the Act.
• Child Employment Officers receive and assess permit applications. They have powers of entry and investigation and regularly conduct field visits to ensure all employers are complying with the Act and CE Regulations, the Code and any permit conditions.
• Child Employment Officers also regularly contact parents of children who have had a permit to discuss the employment conditions their child experienced.
• Additionally, officers investigate any reports of alleged breaches. The investigation process provides an opportunity for employers to respond to any allegations made. At the conclusion of the investigation the allegation is either sustained or not sustained and appropriate action is taken.
• Child Employment Officers have the power to cancel a Child Employment Permit at a work site if necessary, in the interests of the child’s health and safety.

There are a number of offences under the Act with penalties of up to 100 penalty units.

A person who employs a child in entertainment in contravention of the Code is liable to a penalty of this magnitude.

Offences under the Act attract penalties of up to 100 penalty units. They include:

• employing a child without a permit
• breaching a permit condition
• obstructing and hindering a Child Employment Officer
• breaching a provision of the Code.

To contact a Child Employment Officer

Email: childemployment@dpc.vic.gov.au
Tel: 1800 287 287
Fax: 03 9651 9703
Emergency after-hours contact: 03 9651 9831
Website: www.vic.gov.au/wage-inspectorate-victoria

Mailing Address

Child Employment Officer
Wage Inspectorate Victoria
GPO Box 4912
Melbourne VIC 3001

Street Address

Child Employment Officer
Wage Inspectorate Victoria
Department of Premier and Cabinet
Level 9
1 Spring Street
Melbourne Vic 3000