Over the past few weeks the Department of Commerce has been conducting a proactive compliance campaign about the employment of children in the fast food industry. The campaign was a success with 975 fast food employers and head offices of franchise groups across the Perth metropolitan area provided with an information pack about the employment of children under the Children and Community Services Act 2004.

The minimum age for the employment in a shop, restaurant, fast food or takeaway food business is 13 years. Children aged 13 or 14 must have written permission from a parent and must not work during school hours, start work before 6.00am or finish after 10.00pm.

The Employer Information Pack Employment of children laws in WA - shop, restaurant, fast food or takeaway food business that employers received is available on the Wageline website and contains:

• A fact sheet for employers on employment of children laws.
• A self-audit checklist to help employers operating a shop or restaurant, (including a fast food or takeaway food business) to conduct a self-audit of compliance with the child employment laws.
• A template form for gaining written parental permission for employing children who are 13 or 14 years of age. The template form is provided in both Word and editable PDF format.

Since the information packs have been sent out a number of employers have contacted Wageline for more information. Wageline has received positive feedback from employers who have found the checklist and the other information resources to be helpful.