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Young workers
Last updated September 2026
This chapter explains why young workers are at greater risk of injury and how you can minimise the risk.
Health and safety risks for young workers
Young workers have risk factors that other workers may not.
Definition: Young Workers
Young workers are people aged 15–24 years who work:
- permanently;
- casually;
- as a labour-hire worker;
- as an apprentice or trainee; or
- as part of work experience or a structured workplace learning program (read more).
Young workers are people aged 15–24 years who work:
- permanently;
- casually;
- as a labour-hire worker;
- as an apprentice or trainee; or
- as part of work experience or a structured workplace learning program (read more).
The risks to young workers may be greater, or exacerbated, because young workers:
- lack experience, knowledge and skills to fully appreciate the risks in the tasks they are performing;
- aren’t able to protect themselves or their co-workers from injury as competently as more experienced workers;
- may attempt to perform tasks that are physically or mentally beyond their current capabilities; and
- may not ask questions or raise safety issues.