The laws around the minimum age Australian kids can work are notoriously rubbery and, as any young worker will tell you, inconsistent or thoughtless laws leave young people vulnerable and open to exploitation, like I was, writes Virginia Trioli.
G’day! Adulthood is defined here as being 18 too. Once you turn 18, no age restrictions apply to you anymore. You can drink, smoke, vote, go to war, whatever you’d like.
In fast food specifically (unsure about others), the minimum wage increases 10% for every year over 15 you are, starting with 40% at 15 and reaching 90% when you’re 20. It’s an absolutely stupid and I’d definitely argue discriminatory rule.
It IS actually illegal to discriminate based on age, I don’t know why it’s legal to discriminate any adults based on age for anything, and I’m unsure whether that’s intentional or it actually is but just unenforced, but from my experience it’s pretty much only ageism if you discriminate against old people (at least, that’s how it’s enforced)
Some industries don’t have any age based wages. I know the community services award doesn’t, but I’m not sure about others
the minimum wage increases 10% for every year over 15 you are
Just a minor point of terminology, it doesn’t increase “10%”, it increases by 10 percentage points. The difference is quite substantial, with a 16-year-old full-time level-1 making $12.36 in reality (50% of a 21-year-old), but 10% more than the 15-year-old’s wage being $10.88.
“Discrimination in employment based on age” or “discrimination in pay based on age” can probably be considered two separate things. (A silly distinction, but weasel words make the politics go round.) Id be surprised if anti-discrimination laws combined both of these to grant more protections to a large chunk of the workforce.
I’ve never read the legislature so I don’t know, but I’d assume it’s a bit of both, but with specific exceptions to people under 21. There would have to be pay wise, otherwise the government would be implementing illegal laws, but I’m not sure whether anybody can be discriminated against based solely on age in terms of employment
Heya Baku. I wanted to reply to you as well just to say I fully agree with this system being really fucked up. I want to add some context though, because you’re incorrect that the legal definition of adulthood is just about being 18 in Australia. Gonna chuck these in bullet points:
At 16 you can become emancipated from your parents if it is unreasonable for you to live at home. You can then access Youth Allowance payments, as well as sign tenancy agreements.
The age of consent in most states is 16, otherwise 17. However, it’s still prohibited for people in positions of power over you, eg a Teacher or a Boss, until you’re 18.
Most states allow you to get your license at 17.
Once you turn 14, Medicare can’t tell your parents details of your medical treatments.
Once you turn 15 you can get your own Medicare card.
If you’re under 18, as long as you understand the advice and treatments, you have full control and consent over sexual health matters. This includes abortion & contraception, as well as things like PrEP (HIV prevention medication).
Edit: I forgot to add the point I was trying to make. The wage differences are even more fucked up when you consider there’s 16 year olds, being paid 60%, that have rent to pay. Our rules also make it a lot easier for people that age to escape abusive home situations, so it’s much more common even if the US has emancipation laws as well.
G’day! Adulthood is defined here as being 18 too. Once you turn 18, no age restrictions apply to you anymore. You can drink, smoke, vote, go to war, whatever you’d like.
In fast food specifically (unsure about others), the minimum wage increases 10% for every year over 15 you are, starting with 40% at 15 and reaching 90% when you’re 20. It’s an absolutely stupid and I’d definitely argue discriminatory rule.
It IS actually illegal to discriminate based on age, I don’t know why it’s legal to discriminate any adults based on age for anything, and I’m unsure whether that’s intentional or it actually is but just unenforced, but from my experience it’s pretty much only ageism if you discriminate against old people (at least, that’s how it’s enforced)
Some industries don’t have any age based wages. I know the community services award doesn’t, but I’m not sure about others
Just a minor point of terminology, it doesn’t increase “10%”, it increases by 10 percentage points. The difference is quite substantial, with a 16-year-old full-time level-1 making $12.36 in reality (50% of a 21-year-old), but 10% more than the 15-year-old’s wage being $10.88.
Huh. TIL. Thanks buddy!
How are the laws/regulations worded in Australia?
“Discrimination in employment based on age” or “discrimination in pay based on age” can probably be considered two separate things. (A silly distinction, but weasel words make the politics go round.) Id be surprised if anti-discrimination laws combined both of these to grant more protections to a large chunk of the workforce.
I’ve never read the legislature so I don’t know, but I’d assume it’s a bit of both, but with specific exceptions to people under 21. There would have to be pay wise, otherwise the government would be implementing illegal laws, but I’m not sure whether anybody can be discriminated against based solely on age in terms of employment
Heya Baku. I wanted to reply to you as well just to say I fully agree with this system being really fucked up. I want to add some context though, because you’re incorrect that the legal definition of adulthood is just about being 18 in Australia. Gonna chuck these in bullet points:
Edit: I forgot to add the point I was trying to make. The wage differences are even more fucked up when you consider there’s 16 year olds, being paid 60%, that have rent to pay. Our rules also make it a lot easier for people that age to escape abusive home situations, so it’s much more common even if the US has emancipation laws as well.