Young people often help on family farms, but employers need to understand the child employment laws that apply in their state or territory. 

This is also important because Australian cotton is sold into global markets where customers expect strong labour and human rights standards. Child labour is a serious issue in cotton production in some countries, so it's important that the Australian industry can demonstrate that young people working on farms are doing so legally, safely and appropriately. 

Cotton Australia asked workplace relations specialist Wayne Schwalbach to explain the child employment rules that apply across Australia. The guide below outlines the requirements for each state and territory. 

At what age can I employ a child to work on a farm? 

The answer depends on what state or territory you live in. 

Family farms 

A common exception across the states is for children working in a family farming business. However, work health and safety obligations still apply. 

In Victoria, parents can generally employ their own children in the family farming business without obtaining a Child Employment Licence, provided the work is safe and appropriate. 

In Queensland, exemptions apply for children working in a family business, but the work must still comply with child employment and work health and safety requirements. 

In NSW, there is no minimum legal working age, but employers must ensure the work does not affect the child's education, health or wellbeing. 

In Western Australia, children working in a family business may be exempt from some child employment requirements, provided schooling is not affected. 

Additional considerations for the pastoral industry 

Farms are recognised as high-risk workplaces. Employers must ensure work is suitable for a young person's age, experience and level of supervision. 

A child or young worker should not be allocated high-risk work such as: 

• operating tractors, quad bikes (ATVs), side-by-sides or heavy machinery 
• working with bulls, stallions or other dangerous livestock 
• using chainsaws or hazardous plant 
• handling agricultural chemicals or pesticides 
• working alone in isolated paddocks 
• entering silos, confined spaces or working at heights. 

These restrictions arise from work health and safety duties, even if a child is legally old enough to be employed. 

A practical approach for employers 

For employers covered by the Pastoral Award, a sensible approach is: 

Under 13 years: Only in very limited circumstances (such as NSW or some family business situations) and not as regular employees. 

13–15 years: Restrict duties to light, supervised work such as feeding animals, gardening, cleaning, simple maintenance or administrative tasks. 

16–17 years: Young workers can undertake a broader range of duties but should not perform hazardous work without appropriate training, competency and supervision. 

This approach helps employers meet both child employment laws and work health and safety obligations while providing young people with a safe introduction to working on farm. 

IR Support 

Full Cotton Australia levy payers are entitlement to a 15-minute IR consultation with Wayne Schwalbach from Employment Mediation Services on 0447 935 416 to assist with workplace questions.