You can start part-time or casual work at any age in the Northern Territory. However, it is against the law for an employer or your parent, to allow you to work at times or in a type of job that will make it harder for you to learn at school. For example, working late at night, when you have school the next day.
It is against the law for an employer to employ you or for your parents to let you work during hours that you are required to be at school.
If you are under 15, it is against the law for your parents or an employer to let you work after 10pm or before 6am or to do dangerous or damaging work.
If you are under 15, it is also against the law for parents or an employer to require you to perform any work that would be harmful to your physical, mental or emotional wellbeing or any work that would involve your exploitation.
If you have any questions about the hours you work, you can contact us here.
You can work full-time if you have completed year 10 and are 15 years old. In the Northern Territory, the law says that you have to go to school from when you turn 6 until you finish Year 10 or turn 17 (whichever happens first). For more information, please see our When can I leave School page.
You can visit our other factsheets related to work here:
For information and advice about your rights, entitlements and obligations as an employee, check out our other employment topics or visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
If you are 24 or under and you are unsure about your rights or responsibilities or what to do next, you can get free, confidential legal advice here.
If you have a problem or a question, you can send it to us today and we can provide you with free advice, information and referrals to help solve your problem. Just click on the button below.
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