Newly appointed Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has just confirmed that workplace protection orders are now in place, with retailers crossing fingers that the tactic will drive down elevated retail crime in the state.
According to the premier, anyone who assaults, abuses, intimidates or stalks a retail, fast-food, hospitality or transport worker can now be banned from that workplace.
The new laws give courts the power to ban or limit people’s access to workplaces when they treat frontline workers unacceptably.
Those can be in place for up to 12 months. Breaching this means offenders face serious consequences of up to two years in prison or a fine of up to $50,000.
The protections apply across all retail businesses and specified train, tram and bus operators. That includes ticket sale locations and ticketed-access areas.
Listed retail and transport operators and employee unions can apply to the Magistrates' and Children's Court for a WPO.
The scheme will commence from July 26, 2027.
"Retail and transport workers keep Victoria running and they must be safe at work,” Carroll says.
"These new powers will protect workers, stop repeat offenders and make it clear that this behaviour won’t be tolerated."
The Australian Retail Council (ARC) has welcomed the introduction of this “long-awaited” legislation, but noted that the detail will determine whether the scheme provides fast and effective protection for frontline retail workers.
“Workplace protection orders have been a critical priority for the retail sector,” ARC CEO Chris Rodwell said. “We appreciate that one of Premier Ben Carroll’s first actions in the role is to advance stronger protections for Victoria’s retail workers.
Ultimately, the detail will determine whether the scheme delivers practical and immediate protection for workers."
Rodwell said retailers would use these orders only in the most serious cases involving violent, threatening and repeat offenders. He added that retailers will be looking closely at whether the Bill includes urgent interim orders, which would allow a repeat offender to be barred immediately from returning to harass, intimidate or assault a worker while what may be a lengthy court process takes place."
“South Australia and the ACT have already implemented practical models,” Rodwell said. “Victoria has the opportunity to draw on those schemes and deliver protections that work from day one.”
Rodwell also said the proposed July 2027 commencement date was too slow.
“Retail workers have already waited years for these protections. We hope to work with the Government to bring forward the timeline so workers are not left waiting another year for the laws to take effect.”
In the year to March 2026, Victoria recorded 4,823 assault and related offences at retail locations, while stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour increased by 10.1 per cent.