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Young people and work

Looking for work

Depending on the kind of work you want, good places to start include:

  • local shopping centres, newsagents and restaurants
  • job ads in your local and other newspapers
  • telling people you know that you are looking for work – sometimes jobs are not advertised
  • websites that list jobs, offer tips, answer questions and search for jobs for you.

The youthcentral website (link below) has information and advice about how to find a job.

Using Job Services Australia to find work

Job Services Australia is made up of different organisations that can help you find work. These organisations can:

  • help you to find a job
  • give you advice about how to look for a job
  • tell you what jobs are available in your local area
  • provide training or other help to build your skills to get a job.

You can also use the phone, fax, photocopier, computers and printers to help you prepare your résumé (a summary of your personal details, skills, education and work history) and job applications.

If you are aged 15 years or over, and not in full-time study or full-time work, you should be fully eligible to access services from Job Services Australia. You can register via Centrelink or, in some cases, with a Job Services Australia provider.

If you are interested in starting an apprenticeship or traineeship, Centrelink can refer you to Job Services Australia members who handle new apprenticeships.

When you can get a job

There are laws about employing young people under the age of 15. Employers can be fined if they don’t comply with these conditions. One condition is that employers or supervisors of young people under 15 must have police checks.

Generally you can’t work if you are under 13. However, you can work: 

  • if you are 11 or older to deliver newspapers or advertising material, and make deliveries for a pharmacy
  • at any age if you are working in a family business or in the entertainment industry.

If you work in a family business your parents must supervise you and make sure you only do light work that will not stop your schoolwork.

Permits

If you are under 15 you can only work if your parent or guardian gets a Child Employment Permit from the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development. It is illegal to work without a permit and employers can be fined between $1000 and $10,000.

Permits are free. Your parent or guardian must apply for the permit. Your employer and school must sign the application form. The employer must include details about what you will be doing and your hours of work.

If you are under 15 you can only work without a permit if the work is occasional (not done on a regular basis) and involves:

  • helping out in a family business
  • posing for still photographs, like modelling
  • participating at a sports event, like the Australian Open
  • taking part in a not-for-profit educational, charitable or religious activity.

If you are under 15, you can only get a job during school hours if you have permission not to go to school.

Employment contracts

Once you get a job you may be asked to sign an employment contract.

This is a legally binding document that sets out your conditions of work. Your rate of pay depends on your age.

Never sign a contract until you have read it, understood it and agree with it. It is a good idea to get advice before you sign a contract, even if you think you know what you are signing. Make sure you keep a copy of the contract for yourself.

If you have questions about employment contracts, pay and conditions, job interviews, being sacked unfairly or other work problems, get advice quickly.

See ‘Young people & work – frequently asked questions’ (link below) for more information about the minimum age for working, the types of work you can do, the hours you can work, paying tax, getting a tax file number and doing work experience.

Paying tax

If you earn over a certain amount from working or investments, you need to put in a tax return after the end of the financial year (30 June).

You may need a tax file number even if you don’t have to put in a tax return. See ‘Young people and work – frequently asked questions’ (link below).

More information

Young people and work – frequently asked questions

Centrelink, allowances and payments

Related publications

Am I old enough?

Related websites

Job Services Australia

youthcentral – how to find a job

How we can help

Victoria Legal Aid doesn’t give legal advice about work matters, but our free Legal Information Service may be able to give you some information over the phone. We may also be able to refer you to another organisation that can help you. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter.

Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.

To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.

Who else can help?

JobWatch provides legal assistance to Victorian workers. JobWatch can give you free, confidential telephone information and referrals about work rights.

See the JobWatch website for more information or call them on (03) 9662 1933 or 1800 331 617 (country callers).

See Work (general information) and Work and superannuation complaints (general information) for other organisations that help with work-related matters.