Paid Jobs for 12 Year Old

I have my nieces visiting from overseas who are 12 and 10.
Do you guys know if there is any jobs they can do?

Obviously something suited for 12 year old. Few hours a week here and there.
I want them to work for someone else so they are more responsible.

Also, are you aware of any volunteering opportunities where kids can participate?

Comments

  • +49

    Ummm.. I think legally, they are not allowed to work. They need to be at least 14 years and 9 months old. At least that is the case in Queensland. Volunteering.. I am not sure about that.

    • +49

      7-Eleven probably wouldn't have a problem with that.

      Professor Allan Fels unleashes on 7-Eleven, fears more 'lawless behaviour'

    • +4

      This is inaccurate, at least in NSW.
      They can legally work, but there are some restrictions on shifts and things that might make it a bit of a hassle. Also, they would need to be paid award wages, which is the same for a 16yro.
      If you were an employer, would you rather pay a 16yro $9 an hour, or a 12yro?

      My best suggestion is to put a post on Facebook or whatever you use to talk to your friends and neighbours asking if anybody has any odd jobs, gardening, weeding, baby-sitting etc.
      I recognise you are getting flack from other commenters, but I think kids do well to do a bit of work for other people, as it helps them mature, and gives them some money to learn to budget with.

      In my case, my eldest daughter has been very keen to work, and has saved $2500 in the last 6 months. Pretty impressive for a 15yro I think.
      My 12yro isn't that interested in money and doesn't want to work, and that is fine at his age if he is doing his chores and schoolwork. He has saved his birthday and pocket money from doing chores for his minor expenses.

      • +1

        Thanks a lot. I might do that actually. Ask friends. Great idea

        • +1

          just go for a small 'ma and pa' business, they don't have corporate guidelines and are flexible with minimum entitlements (in so much they would employ a 12yo, and be more tolerant)

          find a job in the child's interest, future job path or the family profession
          obviously an entry level position cleaning/tidying, errands for the particular business.
          once they learn job ethics and get some confidence the employer would give future tasks.
          most of any job is dealing with people, all of life infact, so any real job will do- not chores for friendly neighbours/friends!

          fallback jobs could be circular delivery, fashion, hairdressing, retail, catering, trades…
          I worked at a timber yard from 12, started on a broom and worked up to the cutting machines (which freaked out a few adult customers) and counter sales. good experience just dealing with people and boring work tasks etc

        • @CeeAyeEee: thanks

    • No set age in NSW

  • +39

    They are a bit young to be working for someone else, best to find them jobs to do around the house.

  • +8

    I think at that age they could do something like mow the lawn or take out the bins for a neighbor or friend that lives near by (walking distance on their own).

    • +1

      Yeah. Thats what we had in mind. Thanks

  • +33

    Ummm… Can I ask why you think finding a 12 year old a job is the best way to teach them to be responsible and why you think they need to be taught responsibilities at that age? And especially since they're not your own children. Just curious here

    • -1

      Its not really teaching anything. I see it more about having exposure to entrepreneurial attitude. Dont need to wait to be 15. I see it as first step in that direction. Being aware you can do anything you want and start your own ventures. Its about having right attidude

      • +12

        "Entrepreneurial attitude" is self-driven, not imposed by a well meaning uncle. That's them deciding themselves to run a lemonade stand, walk dogs for money, start their own start up, whatever. You can support them, but if what you're aiming for is an enterprising spirit they are the ones who should have the drive and creativity.

        • +2

          Well said.

        • +2

          I agree. Perhaps, it wasnt clear, it is their idea.

      • +3

        I don't understand why you're getting all the negs. I got my first job when I was 12 doing a paper run, first real job at 14y 9mo but didn't work a lot. Now 25 I wish my parents had pressured me more to work harder at that time, the reality is it only took away from TV watching or maybe video game time, taught me a lot, and I didn't lose out socially at all.

    • +3

      This is ozbargain, he probably wants to charge them rent.

  • +7

    According to the WA Department of Commerce, children aged 10 - 12 can deliver newspapers and pamphlets. I'd say unless you get them a job like that, you should probably just get them to do chores.

    • Interesting. Restaurant pamplets

  • +17

    when I was around that age I worked delivering papers, and I also did deliveries for the local chemist on my bike. used to joke that I was a drug courier to my friends.

  • +1

    Water boy at local footy clubs, paper delivery, chemist deliveries, washing cars. These are all jobs I used to do when I was younger for some cash.

  • +23

    How long are they visiting for? Surely spending time with them and taking them out places is going to be better for them?

    • +19

      Maybe OP really hates kids, so sending them off to work means he / she doesn't have to babysit them.

      Quite a genius idea in fact. Evil, but genius.

      • Yes. I dont think i would be letting them on their own anyways walking in streets.
        Maybe people have different view points. I see that i live in world where 14 year old can have their own startups. In my time, you could not even imagine of doing it.
        So, i see it as experience to do something different. Either way, dont need to defend to you. As you can most people worked when they were 10-12 in this thread

        • Then take them sightseeing if you don't think you'll be letting them walk the streets alone.

          Is it really that difficult?

        • +1

          @Baebs: no it is not. Ill do that.thanks

  • +133

    Your nieces must be stoked to know what you have planned for them on their visit to Australia

    • +4

      Comment of the day :)

    • +1

      I'm guessing it will look something like this

  • +1

    Have you got a lawn? Pay them to mow it. And vacuum the carpet, walk the dog, wash the car etc.

    • -6

      We don't. But we can put on list for doing local chores as start.

  • +5

    Will they have a working holiday visa or tourist visa ?
    Send them out to the Backpackers Orchards before they start taxing them.

    • Australian citizens. Just live overseas. Actually fruit picking is good idea for family activity.

      • lol

  • +36

    I'd suggest coal mines or textile sweatshops.
    If it was good enough for my g-g-grandparents its good enough for your nieces.

    • -2

      There are no coal mines or sweatshops in Sydney which are allowed to employ kids anymore.

      • +2

        None in Melbourne ether :(

  • +31

    They are your nieces, they are 10 and 12 years old, they are coming to visit you from overseas and …you want to find them a job to teach them to be responsible while they are here???
    That will be their last visit :-(

    • +3

      They're probably in Oz for a sin-binning

      • +4

        Uhhhh.. well that pretty much confirms Australia's status as a country for convicts

    • +1

      Apologies for not clarifying properly. I don't want to teach them anything.
      They actually responsible enough. Basically it was there idea. However, award wages is not until 14 or 15 (retail store, dominos, etc). Hence, i wanted ideas on what possible things kids can do.

      Plan is just facilitate what they want to do under supervision. Obviously they are kids. Even if they do something for an hour in entire holidays would be great outcome.

  • +11

    Another work for the sake of work is good for you nutter …

  • Best post I've read this week

  • +3
    • Australian Capital Territory

    There’s no set age for when you can start work. But if you’re under 15 there are limits to the type of work you can do and how many hours you can work.

    • New South Wales

    There’s no age set for when you can start work.

    • Northern Territory

    There’s no age set for when you can start work. But if you’re under 15, you can’t work between 10pm and 6am.

    • Queensland

    If you’re 13 or older you can start work.
    If you’re under 13, you may work in some circumstances including:

       if you work in a family business
       if you work in the entertainment industry
       some forms of supervised employment are allowed such as deliveries and charitable collections.
    
    • South Australia

    There’s no age set for when you can start work. But there are limits on the type of work you can do.

    For further information, download the Young Workers guide from Safe Work SA

    • +2

      What about Victoria?

    • Thanks i saw that. That's pretty much why i was wondering what kind of jobs kids under 14 do. Lots of ideas here.

    • 'if you work in the entertainment industry' - that's a bit dodgy isn't it?

      • +2

        Child actors etc. Not "adult" entertainment.

  • +30

    Can they drive a ute? I have a load of asbestos that needs removing. I'll supply the chainsaw.

    • -4

      Not allowed to drive a ute till 18.

      • +10

        So no worries with the work then? Just the transport hey?🤔

      • God, your nieces are going to having a lot of fun with you with your great sense of humor :)

  • +7

    Do they have a working visa?

    • +5

      And a tax file number. Suspect they will lose a lot of their pay in tax without one so they will clear about $4 an hour.

      • The same amount of money a jobseeker will get while doing an internship at a business (any size).

        I suspect "$4 intern" might be one of the nicknames.

    • Yes. Australian citizens.

  • +10

    im actually surprised at how many people answered this post seriously

    • -1

      Me too :). Lots of ozbargainers must be parents.

  • +1

    Haha :)

  • +1

    Paper boy jobs? If your area still does that? I use to wash cars at that age but that was a long ways ago over 18 years ago so i don't know if people are still the same about having kids wash there cars. plus i use to cut my family lawns.

    • Thanks a lot. I'll put that on list.

  • +7

    Are they coming on a Visitor visa (subclass 600)?

    A Visitor visa (subclass 600) lets you visit Australia for tourism (…)

    Tourism includes holidays, recreation and seeing family or friends.
    You cannot work for or provide services to a business or organisation in Australia or sell goods or services to the public.

    Paid work is not allowed on this visa.

    • +10

      Probably they will not mind it if immigration catches them and deports them back home. They can go and play there instead of working here!

    • +2

      Also , while a subclass 600 vistor visa does permit the visa holder to work as a genuine unpaid volunteer, it does so only if an Australian resident would not otherwise be paid to do the
      work.

      Why not let the kids enjoy their holidays and have fun?

    • +1

      Nope. They are Australian citizens. Live overseas

  • +1

    http://kidsgivingback.org/ Might be able to find some volunteer opportunities here. I saw one idea which was interesting, take the kids to the beach to pick up rubbish. Get them to do some work then enjoy the beach.

  • They could be Uber drivers?

    • +1

      Dont think so. You need to be 17 to have drivers license right?

      • +7

        Wooooosh.

  • I used to do gardening for my neighbour when i was about that age.

  • +1

    OP is true ozbargainer. He wants to cover any expenses he'd have lol

    • +3

      For extreme Ozbargainer mentality, you might even invoice them for energy bills, food expenses, room service and including 10% GST. Thanks for your stay!

      • I don't think kids can do tax return

    • +1

      Yes. True ozbargainer. But i don't think you can claim anything from kids

  • +1

    Lemonade stand. If thats too boring for them, make it an Ultimate Lemonade Stand
    The fact that we're coming up to winter and that nobody buys food from kids anymore for fear of getting sick will build character

    • Thanks. Great idea. Might try it

      • +1

        Adding on to this has to be place with a lot of foot traffic or they'll get bored. I suggest a park or oval that has Saturday or Sunday sport. They could also branch out and sell other items as well.
        Or a public golf course if they can find a small safe area people won't kick up a fuss. I saw a kid selling used golf balls he found which I found interesting.

    • +3

      @outlander, the awkward moment when someone takes your sarcasm seriously :)

      • +1

        flips back fringe
        Ugh, I'm so misunderstood! Nobody understands me!

        • Wasnt a genuine comment? Haha.
          My friend's daughter actually runs a lemonade stand which is really popular.
          So, people ok with buying food from kids?

        • +1

          @dealonaustralia:
          No, it was genuine. JJB and his wide eyed wife (who uses the same account) seem to mistake the venomous and belittling tone that unintentionally leak into my comments as some kind of attempt at humor. I have no idea why.

          OK, Lemonade stands out due to the cold, but how about.. a hot chocolate stand? Yes start up costs are a little higher, you need a gas fired boiler pot to warm the milk, but the potential rewards are greater too. Plus once you've got them on the hot chocolate, you can upsell them homemade choc chip cookies, and the girls can wear little chef hats, and hold little wooden spoons! ooh it'll be adorable.

    • is this a beyonce Lemonade stand?

    • My kids have done the lemonade stand a couple of times. They also set up a garage sale of old toys once.
      People are happy to buy a drink from the kids, and they made a little money, like less than $10 in an afternoon with 50c drinks.
      They were happy, however, as $10 goes a long way in the lolly aisle at the supermarket.

  • Can they take over your job?

    • +1

      I don't think so. Requies HSC to even apply

  • Wow. That's lot of comments. Made it to front page.

    Really appreciate everyone giving suggestions. I have wide range of ideas they can pick from.
    Also thanks for letting me know about nsw legal laws.

    I did expect some smart arse comments. That's ok. My fault. Should have clarified, its kids idea who wanted to try to work and new experience in their holidays. Get exposure to my Australian culture and people. I genuinely do not think they would come across anyone here who would try to exploit them and get them to do work equivalent of a sweatshop in australia. Like everyone says. They are kids. Just couple of hours is good enough even if is over their entire holidays.

    Does anyone know about any charity or volunteer opportunities where young kids can get involved? Do you think checking with local school and public library might be a good start in terms of enquiring?

    • There is a seek page dedicated to charity. https://www.volunteer.com.au/

      • Thanks

    • -1

      Australian culture… Join the dole line at centrelink.
      Don't need a hsc to even apply.

    • -1

      Smart arse comments?
      This thread is living proof of the 'Ask a stupid question. Receive a stupid response'.
      How's about just enjoying time with your family?

      • I disagree. Most of comments are great suggestions and ideas.

        • Well played. You baited me to click through to your website. (It's down for the record).

  • What about selling baked cookies for charity. Do kids do that?

  • +1

    I used to referee basketball when I was younger, maybe that's possible for your niece.

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