Written parental permission information and template

An employer must not employ a child aged 13 or 14 years in a shop, retail outlet or restaurant (which includes a fast food or takeaway food business) without obtaining the written permission of a parent of the child before the child’s employment commences. A parent is a person who has responsibility for the long-term or the day-to-day care, welfare and development of the child.

The penalty for contravening this requirement is a fine of up to $24,000 or $120,000 for a corporation.

Written parental permission does not need to be obtained if a child under the age of 15 years is working in a family business owned by a relative such as a parent, aunt, uncle or grandparent.

Template permission form

A template parental permission form for the employment of a child is attached. An employer of a prospective employee aged 13 or 14 years should:

• provide this form to a parent of the child for completion prior to the child commencing work; or
• obtain a parent’s written permission in some other form prior to the child commencing work.