Youth Employment Project

For many young workers, positive employment experience provides a basis for ongoing participation in the economy and community. It provides financial security, social connections, self-esteem and independence. However, for a variety of reasons young workers are more vulnerable to exploitation at work. They are often underpaid, unfairly dismissed, injured at work and subject to workplace bullying and discrimination.

The Youth Employment Project started in mid-2019 and aims to improve employment outcomes for young people aged 12 to 25 in Melbourne's West. We do this by educating and empowering young people experiencing disadvantage to better understand and enforce their workplace rights and responsibilities through legal assistance, education and capacity building, and systemic change.

The final report for phase 1 of the Youth Employment Project was launched in September 2021. 

The Employment and Equality Law Team are progressing with phase 2 of the Youth Employment Project in 2022. In particular, we are currently delivering the following services: 

• Targeted legal services where young people learn, work and access support (we help with a range of legal matters including underpayments, unfair dismissal, discrimination, sham contracting, etc);
• Employment law education for young people and those who work with them (we have a range of tailored workshops for young people and agency staff), including developing a VCAL module on work rights and responsibilities; and
• Advocating to improve laws and processes addressing the common issues facing young workers. 

An overview of the Youth Employment Project can be accessed here. 

Please call us on (03) 9749 7720 to make an appointment or email admin@westjustice.org.au. 

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