An important question on any teenager’s mind is ‘When can I start working’. Many people may think that the legal working age is 16 or 18. However, that’s not true! Whilst there are almost no age barriers for those working part-time or casual jobs, there are some age requirements for full-time employees.
The legal working age for paid work is different in each state or territory. However, it’s important to keep in mind, that for all states, there is no minimum working age for family businesses or in the entertainment industry. In most states and territories, Australian businesses looking to hire those under 17 must have a Child Employment Permit.
New South Wales
There is no minimum legal working age for those who want to start working. For specific areas of work such as door-to-door sales, the salesman has to be older than 14 years and 9 months. The minimum age for full time work is 17 years old.
Australian Capital Territory
In the ACT, you are allowed to start working at any age. If you are under 15, you must only be doing ‘light work’. This is supervised work which is suitable for your age. These roles can include completing simple errands for a business, working as an umpire or modelling.
It is important to note that if you are under 15, you must be supervised by an adult. Furthermore, the minimum age for starting an apprenticeship is 15 years old.
Northern Territory
There is no minimum working age in the Northern Territory for casual or part time jobs. An individual can start working full-time jobs if they’re 15 years old, and have finished year 10 successfully.
Victoria
The minimum age for employment differs, depending on what area of work you are entering. In the entertainment industry, you are able to start working at any age. The requirements are that the parents of the child have agreed, and that the nature of the work is not harmful to the child.
In simple delivery roles such as completing newspaper delivery runs or deliveries for a pharmacy, an individual must be at least 11 years old. If you have a special child employment permit, you can start working in casual or part-time jobs from age 13. If not, one must be 15 years old.
Additionally, you can begin working full-time once you have successfully finished year 10.
Queensland
If you are signing up to do delivery work for newspapers or marketing leaflets, you can start if you are 11 years old. The general age for starting work is 13 years old. The requirements for working full time is having completed year 10 or being 16 years old.
Tasmania
There is no minimum age for casual or part time work in Tasmania. The only exceptions are that you cannot be a public vendor if you are under 11. This includes roles such as being a salesperson in a street market. If you are under 14, you cannot work after 9pm or before 5am as a public vendor.
South Australia
You can start working at any age as a part-time or casual employee. For full-time work, there are many more requirements to fulfill.
A person can work full time if:
- They have turned 17 years old
- You are 16, but you have completed year 12 or have a Certificate 2 qualification from either TAFE, an apprenticeship, a traineeship or a university.
- You are 16, and your full time work is an apprenticeship approved by your parents and school.
Western Australia
From ages 10-12, you are able to complete simply delivery roles such as handing out newspapers or pamphlets. This must be supervised by a parent, or another responsible adult, so long as said adult has the parent’s written permission. If you are 13 or 14, you can work with a parent’s written permission. You can only complete roles such as delivery, working in a shop or collecting shopping trolleys. At age 15, you are able to work in a wider range of jobs, such as office roles.
You can start full-time work at the end of the year that you turn 17. A student in year 11 or 12 can also apply for full-time work, so long as it is given permission by the Minister for Education.
If you have any further questions about the minimum legal working age, you can contact an employment lawyer.
