Young Workers - Workplace Advice Service

Helping young employees at work

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

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

To check which Award might apply to your employment, use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s ‘find my award’ tool.

Everyone has the right to fair pay and conditions in their employment

Some of the most common legal issues encountered by young people are problems within their 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. Young employees are less likely to report harassment in the workplace, and are more likely to be ignored by an employer when they do report mistreatment.

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, or seeking advice about their workplace rights and entitlements. We may be able to assist, provided that you meet the following criteria:

  • You are:

    • Aged between 15 and 21; or

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

and

  • a resident of the Greater Melbourne area;

and

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

If you satisfy the above criteria, we would love to hear from you. If you are unsure whether you meet all of the above criteria, please contact our office to discuss your circumstances.

The workplace advice service also conducts outreach sessions to educate young workers on their rights and entitlements. If you or your organisation are interested in scheduling a seminar, please get in touch with our office.

How to get in touch

To chat with a member of our team about the Workplace Advice Service, please contact our office on (03) 5968 4126, or make an appointment via the booking form below. If you are not sure whether you need an appointment, or want to discuss your eligibility, please call our office.