Young workers are vulnerable workers often exposed to a power imbalance at work. This includes unnecessary risks when working alongside adult co-workers, sometimes in vulnerable, late-night settings.
Most Australians would be surprised to learn that there are few requirements for adults working alongside children to get working with children checks (WWCCs). This had led to incidences where adults charged, or even convicted, with child sex offences can work alongside children in retail, fast-food and hospitality settings.
In November 2024 the McKell Institute in conjunction with the SDA released a report “Safety Not Guaranteed: Preventing Young Workers From Experiencing Predatory Behaviour”.