Getting Ready for Work

When can I start work?

A big part of growing up is starting work. It can be great to have some extra money for yourself, feel more independent, as well as learning the skills you’ll need in the workforce for the rest of your life.

But before you get too keen, there are some things you need to know before you rush out and start applying.

What age can I start working?

The minimum age for starting work is different depending on the state or territory you live in. Take a look at the information we’ve gathered below.

Victoria

In Victoria you must be 13 before you can start work (in any industry other than entertainment). However if you are under the age of 15, your employer will need to apply for a license to employ children. If you are 11 you can get a paper delivery job, and you can work at any age in a family business.

What other restrictions are there?

There are also restrictions other than age to consider when starting work. These include how many hours per day or week you are allowed to work, when you are allowed to work, and if you are allowed to leave school to work.

Victoria

During the school term, you can only work up to 3 hours per day and up to 12 hours per week. You can’t work during school hours. You aren’t allowed to work between 9pm and 6am. Outside of the school term, you can work up to 6 hours a day and a maximum of 30 hours per week.

You aren’t allowed to leave school until you turn 17. However, once you finish Year 10, you no longer have to attend a school campus – but you must still participate in education, training, or employment for a minimum of 25 hours a week.

Other restrictions

Keep in mind that as well as all of the above, individual employers might also have their own separate policies about employing young people. For example, McDonald’s has a minimum age policy of 14, regardless of whether legislation in your state or territory allows you to work earlier than this.

If there’s a place you’d really like to work, make sure you get in contact with them first and ask whether or not they have a minimum age policy.

Where can I find more information?

If you want to know more about starting work, there are plenty of handy resources out there you can check out. You can find them all on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website here.

Keen to learn more about careers? Check out our Careers page for information about your dream career area, tips to get your first job, and more.