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Young people at work in the ACT

What you need to know

How can this Guide help you?This Guide is designed to help inform you about:• Yourrightsatwork;• Theresponsibilitiesyouremployershavetomakesure thatyouaresafeandtreatedfairlyintheworkplace;and• Whoyoucancontactforhelportogetmoreinformation

IfyouhavequestionsorconcernsrelatingtoinformationinthisGuide,youcancontacttheOfficeforChildren,YouthandFamilySupport(ACT)on0262050480oratyoung-workers@act.gov.au

You have the right to be safe at work. If you ever feel uncomfortable about anything that is happening at work, or you are unsure about something, raise these concerns with your parents/carers, or another adult you feel com-fortable talking with. You can also contact the Office for Children, Youth and Family Support (ACT) for information or support.

ThisdocumenthasbeenpreparedinconsultationwiththeCommissionerforChildrenandYoungPeople,WorkSafetyCommissionerandtheACTDepartmentofEducationandTraining.

What age can I start work? Manypeoplethinkthatyoucannotworkifyouareunder15.Infact,youcan!Butbeforeyoustart,thereareafewthingsyouneedtoknow,andthisbookletisdesignedtoletyouknowwhatthosethingsare.Therulesdifferdependingonyourage,socheckoutthesectionthat’srightforyou.

What’s the law got to do with it?TherearelawsinplaceintheACTtomakesurethatyouaresafeandfairlytreatedatwork.AllemployersofyoungpeopleneedtofollowtheChildrenandYoungPeople(Employment)Standards2009.

General Information

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6. Your hours are appropriate• Youdon’tworkformorethan10hoursaweekifyouareunder15

• Youonlyhaveoneshiftperday(withatleast12hoursbetweenshifts)

• Youarenotemployedbefore6amorsunrise, orafter10pm

7. You can get to work safely• Youareabletotravelsafelytoandfromwork

8. The work isn’t high risk• Youremployerisnotallowedtoaskyoutodotasksthatarehighrisk.Examplesinclude:theuseofdangerousmachinery,theuseofdangeroussubstances,workinvolvingnudity,highelevationwork,andtheserviceofalcohol

9. If your employers are your family, they follow the same laws• Youshouldn’tworkformorethan10hoursaweekifyouareunder15

10. They keep records• Youremployerkeepsrecordsofconsentforyoutowork,andotherimportantdetails

IfyouwanttoknowmorespecificsofthelawinthisareacheckouttheStandards,orChapter21oftheChildrenandYoungPeopleAct2008at:www.legislation.act.gov.au

In a nutshell, these laws mean that your employer must make sure that:1. The work doesn’t interfere with your best interests:• Theworkdoesn’tgetinthewayofyoureducation,health,safety,personalorsocialdevelopment–maintainingabalance

2. They recognise other important laws:• Youremployerfollowsthelawsaboutfairwork,humanrights,privacyandworkplacesafety

3. The work is appropriate for you:• Youarenotgiveninappropriateordangeroustasksfor

your age and ability

4. They get consent:• Yougiveyourconsenttowork• Theygetwrittenconsentfromyourparent/carerifyouareunder15

• Youcanwithdrawyourconsentatanytime

5. They act with a duty of care:• Youhaveadequatesupervisionbyaresponsibleadultifyouareunder15

• Youarenotexposedtopotentialhazards• Youhaveaccesstodrinkingwater,changefacilitiesifneeded,foodstorage,awaytocontactyourparent/carer,andanadequateplaceforabreak

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How much should I be paid?Youdeservetobepaidthecorrecthourlyamountforyourageandtypeofwork.Yourbossneedstomakesurethatyou are paid the right amount, and there are National EmploymentStandardstheymustfollow.Toworkoutthepayyouareentitledto,youcanvisit:http://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay/paycheckIfyouhaveconcernsaboutwhatyouarebeingpaid,youmaycontactaFairWorkInfolineadvisoron131394orfollowthepromptsathttp://www.fairwork.gov.au

Yourwagewilldependonyourage(e.g.youmaybepaidasajunior)andwhichindustryyouworkin(e.g.thefastfoodindustry).Ifyouareatraineeoranapprentice,rateswillalsovary.Youareentitledtobepaidforallworkthatyouundertake.Thisincludes:• Teamandindividualmeetingsrequestedby your employer• Trialperiods• Openingandclosing• Anytraining• Travellingduringworkhoursifitisforyourjob• Attendanceatfunctionsifitiscompulsory

Youremployershouldpayyouonasetday(weekly,fortnightlyormonthly),andyoushouldreceiveapayslip

eachtimeyouarepaid.ItisimportanttocheckwithCentrelinkwhenyouareworkingasthismayaffectanypaymentsyoureceive.

What about volunteering?Ifyouareinvolvedinavolunteerorganisation,thesamerulesaspaidworkapplytounpaidwork.Thismeansthatifyouareworkingandvolunteering,youremployer/thoseyouvolunteerforneedtokeepaneyeonthenumberofhoursyouarespendingontheseactivities.Theyneedtomakesurethatthisdoesn’tgetinthewayofyourschoolwork,orgoover10hoursifyouareunder15.

Can I still do Work Experience?Generally,ifyouareunder15youarenotpermittedtoundertakeworkexperience.ExemptionsaremadeonlyforspeciallytargetedprogramsthathavebeenapprovedbytheChiefExecutiveoftheDepartmentofEducationandTraining(ACT).Forinformationontheworkexperienceguidelinesvisit:www.det.act.gov.au

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What if I am required to do work as part of my training?Insomecircumstances,youmayberequiredtoundertake“StructuredWorkplaceLearning”(SWL).ASWLplacementistheworkplacecomponentofanationallyrecognisedindustryspecificVocationalEducationandTraining(VET)inSchoolsprogram.Underthesecircumstancesyouwouldbedoingsomeofyourtrainingintheworkplace,andthesameemploymentstandardsaspaidworkapply.

What if I get injured at work? AllemployersintheACTarerequiredbylawtomaintaincompulsoryinsurancewithanapprovedinsurer.Youmaystillbecoveredifinjuredatwork,evenifyouremployerhasnotcompliedwiththislaw.TheACTGovernmenthasaspecialcompensationfundforworkersthatareinthissituationcalledthe“DefaultInsurance”fund.Thefundmustmeetthecostofcompensationtoaninjuredworkeriftheemployerdoesnothaveacompulsoryinsurancepolicytocovertheclaim.

Itisadvisablethatyouobtainindependentadvice(separatefromyouremployer)regardinganycompensationyoumaybeentitledto.

Toenquireaboutinjuriesintheworkplace,compensationandotherrelatedissues,youcanphoneACTWorkcoveron(02)62073000orvisitwww.worksafety.act.gov.au.Forinitiallegaladvice,youmayalsocontacttheACTYouthLawCentreon61735410.

Does my employer need to give me a break at work?Youareentitledtoappropriatebreaksdependingonthehoursthatyouwork.Youremployeralsoneedstoprovideaccesstoasuitableplaceforabreak.

Generally,breaksare30minutesunpaidforevery5hoursthatyouwork,thoughthisdependsontheindustrythatyouareworkingfor.Visitwww.fairwork.gov.autofindoutwhatyouareentitledto.

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Do I need to pay Tax?Yes,youarerequiredtopaytaxwhenyouwork.Formoreinformationabouttaxfilenumbers,taxreturnsetc,contacttheAustralianTaxationOfficeat132865ortheothercontactdetailsattheendofthisGuide.

How am I paid?Mostemployerswillautomaticallydeposityourpayinyourbankaccount.Toopenabankaccountyouwillneedtoshow100pointsofidentification.Your100pointsmayincludeabirthcertificate(70points),apassport(70points),citizenshipcertificate(70points),Medicarecardwithyourname(25points),Videocard(25points),LibraryCard(25points)oradocumentwithyournameandaddress(25points).Youcanaccessmoreinformationatanindividualbankwebsite.

Where can I go to if I experience problems at work?Ifyouthinkyouneedmoreinformationorareexperiencingproblemsatwork,contactanagencythatcanhelpyouaslistedattheendofthisGuide.Ifyouarenotsure,contact

theOfficeforChildren,YouthandFamilySupport(ACT)byemailyoungworkers@act.gov.au,orphone0262050480.

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What kind of work can I do if I’m under 15?Youmayworkifyouareunder15,butyouremployerneedstomakesurethattheworkcanbeclassifiedas ‘lightwork’.

Thelawdefines“lightwork”asworkthatis:• Suitableforyourphysical,emotionaland developmentalcapacity• Adequatelysupervised• Underconditionsthatprotectyou frompotentialhazards

U15 Examplesoflightworkmayinclude:• Goingonerrands• Workinginoraroundaprivatehome• Workingrelatedtosportingactivitiessuchasbeing anumpire,refereeorgolf-caddy• Undertakingofficework• Workingasacashier• Gardening• Takingcareofchildreninoraroundaprivatehome• Providingentertainment,ataplaceusedforproviding entertainmentoramusement,oratsportingactivities• Singing,dancingorplayingamusicalinstrument• Performinginaradio,televisionorfilmprogram orproduction• Modelling• Beingaphotographicsubject

Ifyouareunsureaboutwhethertheworkyouaredoingcanbeclassifiedaslightwork,orifyouhaveconcernsabouttasksthatyouremployerisaskingyoutodo,contacttheOfficeforChildren,YouthandFamilySupport(ACT)byemailyoungworkers@act.gov.au,orphone0262050480.

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When do I need to be supervised? Ifyouareunder15,youneedtobesupervisedbyaresponsibleadultwhenyouareatwork.Ifyouareunder12,youneedtobesupervisedbyaparent/carer,orsomeoneapprovedbythem.

Yoursupervisorisresponsibleformakingsurethatthetasksyouundertakearesafeandsuitableforyourageandabilities.Youalsoneedtobesupervisedifyouareundertakingdoortodoorselling/volunteering,newspaperdeliveryandletterboxwork.

How do I know what is a safe workplace for me?Itisyourrighttofeelsafeatwork.Asayoungpersonunder15inmostcircumstancesitisillegalforyoutobeemployedinworkthatisclassifiedas“highrisk”.EmployersneedtoseekapermitfromtheOfficeforChildren,YouthandFamilySupport(ACT)iftheywishtoemployyouinhighriskwork.Examplesofhighriskemploymentincludeworkthatinvolves:• Theuseofdangerousmachinery• Theuseofdangeroussubstances• Nudity• Highelevation• Gambling• Theserviceofalcohol• Workingwithextremetemperatures• Heavyconstructionandexcavationwork

Ifyoufeelunsafeatwork,youcancontactanyoftheserviceslistedinthisbooklet.Ifyouareputinahighlydangerous or life threatening situation by your employerorotherswhileatwork,callemergency serviceson000forimmediateassistance.

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Ifyoufeelthatyouemployerisaskingyoutodothingsthatmakeyoufeelunsafeoruncomfortable(forexample,youaremodellingbutfeelthatwhatyouarebeingaskedtodoisinappropriate),contacttheOfficeforChildren,YouthandFamilySupport(ACT)byemailyoungworkers@act.gov.au,orphone(02)62050480.

Can I work longer hours during school holidays?Whileyouareunder15,generallyyoucanonlyworkforupto10hoursaweek.Ifyouworkmorethanonejob,orareinvolvedinvolunteerwork,youremployersneedtomakesurethatthenumberofhoursyouareworkingisnomorethan10intheweek.

Duringcertaintimes,suchastheschoolholidays,youmaywishtoworkmorehoursduringtheweek.Ifyouremployerwishestoemployyouformorethan10hours,andyouandyourparentsgiveconsenttothisadditionalwork,youremployerneedstogainwrittenapprovalfromtheOfficeforChildren,YouthandFamilySupport(ACT)atleast7dayspriortothechange.

What if my employer rosters me on when I’m meant to be at school? Itisillegalforyouremployertoputyouonduringschoolhoursifyouarerequiredtobeatschoolonthatday.

Itistheresponsibilityofyouremployer,yourparents/carers,andyourselftoensurethatyourworkdoesnotinterferewithyoureducation.Youneedtofindthebalancebetweenwork,schoolandyourhomelifethatisrightforyouandyourcircumstances.

What about Australian school-based Apprenticeships?IntheACT,youngpeopleundertheageof15yearsarenotpermittedtocommenceanapprenticeship.Guidelinesonparticipatinginanapprenticeship(includingAustralianSchool-basedApprenticeshipsorASBAs)areavailableatwww.det.act.gov.au

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I’m over 15 and working – do I need to stay at school?Youarerequiredtostayatschool(oranapprovedequivalent)untilyoucompleteyear10.Onceyouhavecompletedyear10,youcanchooseto“earnorlearn”-youneedtocontinuetoparticipatefulltime(atleast25hoursaweek)ineducation,trainingoremploymentuntilcompletingyear12(orequivalent)orreaching17.Inexceptionalcircumstancesyoumayobtainanexemptioncertificatethatreleasesyoufromthe‘earnandlearn’requirement.Formoreinformation,visit:www.det.act.gov.au

Youremployermustnotrosteryouonduringhoursthatyouneedtoattendschool,unlessthisispartofanapprovedtrainingprogram.Ifyouarehomeschooled,youreducationalperiodswillbedeterminedbyyourparent.

15–17Do my parents have to give consent for me to work?Yes.Thelawstatesthatyouremployerneedstogetwrittenconsentfromyourparents/carersbeforeyoubeginwork.Thisistoensureyourwellbeingasayoungworker,andmeansthatyourparents/carersareinformedoftheworkyouareundertaking,andagreethatitisinyourbestinterests.Youremployerneedstoprovideyouwithaconsentformforyourparentstosign.Asampleconsentformisavailableonthewebsitewww.dhcs.act.gov.au/ocyfs/young_workers.Youalsoneedtogiveverbalconsenttoyouremployerbeforeyoubeginworking.

What happens if I work for my family?Familybusinesseshavethesamelegalresponsibilitiesasotheremployers.Whileyouareunder15youcanworkinyourfamilybusinessfor10hoursaweek,providedthattheworkmeetsthecriteriafor‘lightwork’.

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How many hours can I work per week?Asayoungpersonbetween15and17yourhoursofworkarenotrestrictedto10hoursperweek.Themaximumhoursthatyouareallowedtoworkwillbedeterminedbytheindustrythatyouworkfor,andtheassociatedawardandworkplaceagreement.Tofindoutmore,visitwww.fwo.gov.au.

What about apprenticeships?Youmaybeabletoundertakeanapprenticeshipwhileyouarestillinschool.AnAustralianSchool-BasedApprenticeshipsallowsyouto:• FinishYears11and12whileyoustartyourapprenticeship

• Receiveatrainingwageorapprenticewageforthetimeyouspend‘on-the-job’withyouremployer

• Becoveredbyatrainingcontract,whichlinkstoanindustrialawardoragreement

Tofindoutmore,visit:www.australianapprenticeships.gov.auorwww.det.act.gov.au

Starting Work? Make sure that you...

Haveyourparent/carer’sconsent(ifyouareunder15)

Understandthetypeofworkyouwillbedoing, andyourworkingconditions

Haveconsideredwhetheryournewworkloadcan bebalancedwithschoolwork

Findoutwhatbreaksyouwillbeentitledto

Arefamiliarwithyourpayentitlementsand the responsibilities of your employer

Knowhowmuchandhowoftenyouwillbepaid

Areawareofwhenyouwillbeexpectedtoworkand forwhatlengthsoftime

Knowwhethertheemploymentwillbefull-time, part-timeorcasual

Talkwithyouremployeraboutwhethertherewillbe aprobationperiodwhenyoustartwork

Havethecontactpersonthatyouneedtocallifyou arerunninglatetoworkorcan’tmakeitduetoillness

Knowhowyoucantraveltoandfromworksafely

Checklist

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Further Information and AssistanceIfyouhaveanyconcernsrelatingtoissuesraisedinthisbooklet,orifyouwantmoreinformationabouttheemploymentofchildrenandyoungpeople,pleasecontact:

The Office for Children, Youth and Family Support (ACT)Phone:0262050480Email: youngworkers@act.gov.auWebsite: www.dhcs.act.gov.au/ocyfs/young_workers

Ifyouthinkthatyou’vebeentreatedunfairlyatwork,needsomeadvice,orwouldliketoraiseaconcernormakeacomplaint,contact:

The ACT Children and Young People Commissioner Phone:0262052222Email: ACTkids@act.gov.auWebsite:www.ACTkids.act.gov.au

Ifyouhaveconcernsaboutworksafety,includingconcernsabouthazardsorinjuries,contact:

The ACT Work Safety CommissionerPhone:0262050333Email:worksafety@act.gov.auWebsite: www.worksafety.act.gov.au

Ifyouhaveconcernsaboutwage,salaryandleaveentitlementsorlegalmatters,contact:

The Commonwealth Fair Work OmbudsmanPhone:131394Website:www.fwo.gov.au

Ifyouhavequestionsaboutapprenticeships,workexperienceorothermattersrelatingtoworkandeducation,contact:

The Department of Education and Training (ACT)Phone: 0262052254Email:actyouthcommitment@act.gov.auWebsite:www.det.act.gov.au

Ifyouhavequestionsabouttax,contact:

The Australian Taxation OfficePhone: 132865Website:www.ato.gov.au/individuals/

IfyouhavequestionsaboutyourCentrelink payments,contact:

CentrelinkPhone:132850Website:www.centrelink.gov.au

Ifyouwantsomelegaladvice,contact:

Youth Law Centre ACTPhone: 0261735410Email:contact@youthlawact.org.auWebsite:www.youthlawact.org.au

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Officeforchildren,youthandfamilysupport|ACTNovember2010