New and Young Workers: Induction Obligations for Victorian Manufacturers

What induction do young workers need under Victoria's OHS laws?

Young workers face the highest chance of being injured in their first six months on the job, so Victorian manufacturers need to give them a proper induction that goes beyond the standard paperwork walkthrough — covering hazard identification, a workplace tour, PPE, and hands-on task training — before they're left to work unsupervised. This sits under the general duty in the OHS Act 2004 (Vic) to provide a working environment that is safe and without risks to health, so far as is reasonably practicable.

I've inducted a lot of 16 and 17-year-olds onto factory floors over the years, and the pattern is consistent: they don't ask questions, even when they should, because they don't want to look like they don't know what they're doing. That's the gap your induction process needs to close.

Why do young workers need a different induction?

WorkSafe Victoria's guidance identifies young workers — those aged 15 to 24 — as being at the greatest risk of injury in their first six months at a new job. They're often inexperienced, and they tend to look to peers rather than ask questions, for fear of looking incapable or drawing negative attention. That combination means a generic induction pack often isn't enough on its own.

What should a young worker induction cover?

WorkSafe recommends a health and safety induction for young workers include:

• an OHS introduction, including how to identify and report unsafe work
• workplace hazards and the risk control measures in place
• your OHS policies and procedures
• first aid and emergency procedures
• a tour of the workplace and introductions to key personnel, including your health and safety representative (HSR) if you have one
• ongoing training and real opportunities to ask questions

How should you train young workers on specific tasks?

For task-specific instruction — running a machine, operating an EWP, using a specific tool — WorkSafe recommends a three-step approach:

1. Tell me — explain the task clearly, including why each safety step matters.
2. Show me — demonstrate the task while the young worker watches, checking they understand as you go.
3. Watch me — observe them doing the task themselves and give clear, useful feedback.

This structure works because it doesn't rely on a young worker admitting they didn't follow a verbal explanation the first time.

What about PPE and supervision?

You need to provide young workers with the PPE required for their job and show them how to wear or use it correctly — and explain why it matters, including what can go wrong if it isn't used properly. It's also worth checking that everyone on shift is using their PPE correctly when a young or new worker starts, since they'll take their cues from what they see, not just what they're told.

Supervision matters just as much as the initial induction. Young workers often worry that raising a safety concern will cost them shifts or their job. Supervisors who model safe behaviour, give constructive feedback and actively encourage questions make it easier for a young worker to speak up before something goes wrong, rather than after.

Do young workers need to be included in consultation?

Yes. Employers must include young workers in consultation about OHS matters — hazards, risk controls, changes to how work is done. A simple way to build this in is a short stand-up at the start of a shift where safety issues can be raised openly.

Building an induction that actually works

A checklist is a good starting point, but the manufacturers who do this well treat induction as an ongoing conversation in the first few months, not a one-off session on day one. If you want help reviewing how your induction process holds up — particularly around plant, PPE and supervision for younger or newer staff — a safety practitioner can book a site assessment and help you close the gaps before they turn into an incident.

FAQ

At what age is a worker considered a "young worker" under Victorian OHS guidance? WorkSafe Victoria's young worker guidance covers workers aged 15 to 24, who are identified as being at the greatest risk of injury in their first six months in a new job.

Is a general workplace induction enough for a young worker? Not on its own. WorkSafe recommends young workers receive additional task-specific training using a "tell me, show me, watch me" approach, plus close supervision and genuine opportunities to ask questions, on top of the standard induction content.

Do young workers need to be involved in OHS consultation? Yes. Employers must include young workers in consultation about OHS matters that affect them, such as workplace hazards and risk control measures.

This article is general information for Victorian manufacturers, not legal advice. Last updated: 10 August 2026.