Young Workers - Workplace Advice Service

Assisting young people with workplace disputes

To learn more about your workplace rights and entitlements, visit the Fair Work Commission’s website.

To check whether you are being paid correctly, use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay calculator.

To check which Award you should be paid under, use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s ‘find my award’ tool.

Everyone has the right to fair pay and conditions at work

One of the most pervasive legal issues encountered by young people are problems within the workplace. Despite the many protections available to employees under federal law, it is common for young employees to be underpaid, work in unfair or illegal conditions, or to be mistreated by an employer.

One recent estimate from Melbourne Law School suggested that around one-third (33%) of Australians under the age of 30 are underpaid. Of those:

  • Most (66%) did not seek any form of help; and

  • Less than 6% went to see a lawyer.

Some Employers see young people as easy targets for exploitation because of a perception that they are less aware of their workplace rights and entitlements, and because they do not have the power or financial resources to challenge mistreatment by their Employer. We want to help put an end to that.

Our Initiative

Obtaining legal representation can be expensive, and the cost of legal advice sometimes prevents young people, especially those studying or completing a trade apprenticeship, from seeking the assistance they need.

Workplace Advice Service

We offer an initial free consultation (generally lasting about one hour) for young people facing issues at work. We may be able to assist you, provided that you meet the following criteria:

  • You are:

    • Aged 21 years or younger; or

    • Aged 24 years or younger and are studying as a full-time tertiary student or completing a trade apprenticeship;

and;

  • are a resident of the Greater Melbourne area;

and;

  • are experiencing a workplace issue, and think you might need assistance from a lawyer.

If you satisfy the above, and need assistance from an employment lawyer, we would love to hear from you.

To chat with a member of our team about the Young Workers Advice service, please contact our office on (03) 5968 4126, or submit a form through our employment law page of our website here.