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A Victorian bakery has been fined $5000 for repeatedly employing children under the age of 15 without a permit.
Cobb's Bakery in Port Fairy on Thursday pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to 12 charges relating to five children who were hired while under the legal working age.
The bakery also admitted to four counts of failing to ensure the children were supervised by someone with a Working with Children clearance.
Wage Inspectorate Victoria filed the charges in November 2022, following an anonymous tip off.
Two more people came forward with allegations against the bakery in the weeks after the first charges were filed.
In sentencing on Thursday, Magistrate Carolyn Howe noted businesses had an obligation to be aware of Victorian child employment laws.
She handed down the $5000 fine without conviction, noting the bakery's contribution to the Port Fairy community and the lack of prior offending.
The inspectorate's acting commissioner Lily Dekic said the bakery's offending would never be accepted.
"Kids don’t have the experience, stamina or judgment of more experienced workers, so they need the employer to consider their welfare," she said in a statement.
Ms Dekic said the sentence should be a reminder to all businesses that they have obligations towards young workers.