If you plan to employ a child under the age of 15 in entertainment, exhibition, still photography or door-to-door sales, or a child under the age of 16 for any type of modelling, you need to speak to us first. Our contact details are:

Address :	Children’s Employment NSW Office for Children - Children’s Guardian (OCCG) Level 13, 418A Elizabeth Street SURRY HILLS NSW 2010
Email :	kids@kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au
Phone :	(02) 8219 3600
Fax :	(02) 8219 3699

Changes to child employment legislation - modelling and penalties

The child employment legislation was amended in April 2009 to make the existing child employment provisions applicable to children up to 16 years of age who are employed as models. The penalty for employment of a child in contravention of the child employment provisions of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 was also increased from 10 penalty points to 100 penalty points. Learn more about Changes to child employment legislation - modelling and penalties.

New application fees for Authorities

Application fees for an Authority to Employ Children in NSW were increased in the November (2008) Mini Budget. The increase applies to Authorities with a start date on or after 1 January 2009. The new fees are in the table below.

Employers must contact OCCG staff to discuss the correct fee and arrange the most appropriate method of payment before applying for an Authority. The legislative provisions regarding employers who are exempt from the requirements to hold an Authority have not changed.

Fees vary depending on:

• the nature of the employer's proposed child employment activities
• the duration of the Authority, and
• whether the Children's Guardian is satisfied that the applicant meets the legislative eligibility requirements for a 10% discount.

Note: all amounts include 10% GST	Entertainment & Exhibition	Still Photography	Door-to-door sales
12 Month Authority	$2, 200.00	$968.00	$1, 100.00
1 Month Authority	$1, 100.00	$484.00	$550.00

Note: One month authorities only available where the number of children employed at any one time is not more than 5.

For more information regarding Authorities, the application fees, the application process, and exemptions, please see Section 3.1 of the OCCG's Children's Employment Requirements in NSW document and the Application for Authority to Employ Children in NSW.

What do we do?

The Office for Children - Children’s Guardian (OCCG) regulates the employment of children under 15 years of age in entertainment, exhibition, still photography and door-to-door sales, and under 16 years of age for any types of modelling. We work with employers to make sure children work in an environment where their individual emotional, social, physical and developmental needs are met.

The OCCG has a licensing role and it is our job to:

• assess employer applications for Authorities

• monitor employer compliance with the legislation

• consult with employers if specific safety and welfare issues are identified

• investigate complaints and alleged breaches of the statutory provisions

• help educate people in the industry about children’s employment, and

• promote the welfare of children employed in entertainment, exhibition, still photography and door to door sales.

We fulfil these functions under the authority of Chapter 13 and Schedule 2 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (see www.legislation.nsw.gov.au), and the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection – Child Employment) Regulation 2005. Employers must comply with the legislation. It protects children employed in the prescribed industries from inappropriate or unreasonable demands.

Click here for more information on Employers’ Legislative Responsibilities, which includes information on April 2009 changes regarding modelling and the penalty for not complying with the child employment legislation.