Court Outcome: TJ & CJ Forder Pty Ltd

Between August and December 2024 TJ & CJ Forder Pty Ltd, (trading as Grovedale Meats) employed a child under the age of 15 on multiple occasions without a licence, during school hours, and contravened conditions of employment, including performing work beyond the maximum hours permitted each day, in breach of the Child Employment Act 2003.

In June 2025 the Wage Inspectorate Victoria filed several charges against Grovedale Meats in respect of these breaches.

Before the Court, the Corporate Accused acknowledged responsibility for the offending and was placed on a Diversion Plan, with conditions, that will be in place until 18 December 2025.

Quotes attributable to Tien Tran, Acting Commissioner of Wage Inspectorate Victoria

“The law does not prohibit the employment of children under the age of 15, but it does require employers to have a licence authorising the employment. This obligation exists to protect the health, safety, wellbeing and development of a child at work and ensure the employment does not impact a child’s attendance at school. The Wage Inspectorate is here to provide guidance on how to employ kids under 15 safely and legally and to take action when needed.”

Background

Victoria’s child employment laws require employers of children under 15 to have a child employment licence before any work takes place, and to comply with Child Safe Standards.

Workers under 15 must be supervised by someone who holds a valid Victorian Working with Children Clearance (unless exempt).

Child employment laws restrict when businesses can employ children and how long they can work:

• during a school term, children can be employed for a maximum of 3 hours a day and 12 hours per week and cannot work during school hours
• during school holidays, children can be employed up to 6 hours a day and 30 hours a week
• children can only work between 6am and 9pm.

Children must also receive a 30-minute rest break after every 3 hours work and have at least 12 hours break between shifts.

For more information Victoria’s child employment laws visit the Wage Inspectorate’s website at wageinspectorate.vic.gov.au or call 1800 287 287.