Employing children in acting and modelling

The Office of the Children’s Guardian regulates when and how babies, children and young people are employed for their modelling or acting services.

A child is a performer or model who is under 16 years of age. You are employing a child when all the following 3 items apply.

The child is performing in the entertainment, exhibition, still photography or modelling sectors

You are giving the child, or someone else, a payment or material benefit (goods and services in lieu of payment) at any point in time for the child’s services AND

You have some level of responsibility for casting a child in a role and for the directions given to that child to perform activities.

Employer Authority fees will change from 1 July 2026

Employer Authority fees will change from 1 July 2026 for employers in the entertainment, exhibition, modelling and still photography sectors.

Fees have not increased since 2015. The updated fees reflect a measured adjustment to support the safe and effective administration of the Children’s Employment Program and remain below the cumulative increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over that period.

No action is required before 1 July 2026. Applications lodged on or after this date will be subject to the new fee schedule.

Fee change FAQ