Recent events

County Court of Victoria fines Sidna Pty Ltd (trading as Volpino) and Nasida Pty Ltd (trading as South Beach Project) after upholding child employment appeals

On 6 October 2026, the County Court of Victoria upheld two appeals brought by the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions at the request of Workforce Inspectorate Victoria and resentenced both businesses for offences under the Child Employment Act 2003, fining Sidna Pty Ltd (trading as Volpino) $9,650 and Nasida Pty Ltd (trading as South Beach Project) $2,850. The offences included employing a child under 15 without a licence, failing to ensure a child was properly supervised, allowing a child to work beyond the hours permitted and not providing adequate rest breaks. The court noted that an adjourned undertaking for multiple breaches did not give sufficient weight to general deterrence.