Applying for a Child Employment Permit – a guide for entertainment industry employers

Get your application right to make sure it’s successful.

In Victoria employers must have a permit to employ a child under 15 years in entertainment or advertising.

This fact sheet will step you through the basics of the streamlined application process. For more detail, please go to and download the Quick Guide for Employers – Navigating the Child Employment Portalfact sheet or contact a Child Employment Officer.

You can apply for a Child Employment Permit online at ww.business.vic.gov.au/childemployment.

Before you apply

• Understand the child employment laws. Get a free copy of The Guide to the Employment of Children in the Victorian Entertainment Industryfrom or by calling 1800 287 287.

• Ensure all child supervisors have a valid Working with Children Check.

• Contact the Victorian Government’s Child Employment Officers to discuss your permit and the information you will need to lodge.

• Prepare the information you are likely to need before you start the application.

TIP! Call a Child Employment Officer on 1800 287 287 early in the process to discuss your application and the assessment information you will need to submit.

Apply for a Child Employment Permit online

TIP! Allow sufficient time for your application to be considered. If you leave it too late it could be rejected.

1. Go to the child employment portal at

2. Navigate to the Apply for a Child Employment Permit: Entertainment Industry page. Click on the blue online application link.

3. Log in or register. (First time users will need to follow the simple instructions to createan account.)

4. There are two options for submitting permit applications:

a. Option A provides a shorter process by allowing you to distribute, collect and then maintain the Parental Consent and School Exemption forms while Child Employment Officers assess and issue your application. Ensure that you have all of these documents, in addition to any other record keeping requirements, prior to the child commencing work.

b. Option B requires you to lodge all documents in advance, including the Parental Consent Form and School Exemption Form (if needed), instead of retaining these records yourself. If you choose option B a permit cannot be issued until all of these documents have been received by a Child Employment Officer.

5. Complete the permit application online and print the Parental Consent Form that will be generated as part of the permit process. If needed, download a School Exemption Form from the portal. Give these to the parent or guardian.

6. Follow the prompts and when pages are complete click next.

7. Upload documents where required. (Or you can email them to or fax to 03 9651 9703)

8. Electronically sign (authorised representative only) and submit.

Note: Offline applications are available if required.

TIP! You can save a draft of your online permit application and come back to it later for submitting.

What details do you need to supply with your application?

Ideally, this should be a staged approach with information submitted and updated throughout the process, as the list below shows.

This may include:

• scripts

• storyboards

• details of the product being advertised

• details of the action involved in the production

• details of what will be required of the child

• details of the environment in which the work is to be performed

• details of any props or equipment to be used

• identification of any risks and actions taken to mitigate the risk

• safety reports

• details of other parties involved in the production, such as:

– client

– advertising agency

– production company

– casting agent.

Checklist for provision of information for an application for a Child Employment Permit

PRE-PRODUCTION –

STAGE 1 (1–6 months prior to shoot)

Information available at this stage to be provided:

  • script, storyboard, layout or scenario
  • details of potential supervisors
  • if Working with Children Checks (WWC Checks) are not available for all people who are to be appointed as supervisors (except for parents, guardians and extended family members), arrange for applications to be made, including details of the employer
  • details of the nature of the work including talent age groups; number of children; what is required of the children in the script; size of production; whether a safety report is required; how many talent are lead, featured or extras
  • schedule draft including proposed dates for casting walk-ons, screen tests (call-backs), wardrobe fittings, rehearsals, shoots and sound recording sessions.

PRODUCTION COMMENCES –

STAGE 2 (1–4 weeks prior to shoot)

  • details of other parties including photographer, production company, casting agent and sound studios
  • details of the actual shoot including location, shoot date and proposed number of hours for each child
  • safety report, names and ages of lead talent if available at this stage
  • actual times for wardrobe fittings.

SHOOT DETAILS CONFIRMED –

STAGE 3 (4–7 days prior to shoot)

  • confirmation of all other details previously provided
  • online applications for Child Employment Permit
  • actual call times and hours of work for each child
  • confirmation of locations
  • safety report (if not provided earlier)
  • travel arrangements for children.

FURTHER WORK – STAGE 4

  • call sheet with specific days and times
  • if weather interrupted the shoot and/or further shooting is to be done (which was already provided for in the permit), notify Child Employment Officers
  • if alternative dates were not provided in the permit, discuss changes or additional days with a Child Employment Officer.

Child Employment Officers can help

Victorian Government Child Employment Officers provide information about child employment and assess permit applications.

Child Employment Officers assist employers in complying with their obligation to ensure that children are not harmed by their employment.

They have significant legal powers to enter workplaces to check compliance, investigate alleged breaches and cancel permits where children’s health and safety is in danger. Offences such as permit breaches, failure to obtain a Child Employment Permit or hindering a Child Employment Officer attract a significant penalty.

Contact details

1800 287 287

03 9651 9831 (after hours emergency contact)

03 9651 9703

Child Employment Officer

Employment Information and Compliance Unit

Department of State Development Business and Innovation

GPO Box 4509

Melbourne Vic 3001

Department of State Development,Business and Innovation

Level 33/121 Exhibition Street

Melbourne Vic 3000

Access The Guide for free!

The Victorian Government has published The Guide to the Employment of Children in the Victorian Entertainment Industry to make it easy for employers, entertainment industry workers, parents and children to understand the rules and what they need to do.Download The Guide from or call 1800 287 287 for a free copy