MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

Victoria Police will now be issuing fines to children under the age of 15 for failing to wear a face mask.

According to the Fines, Enforcement, and Reporting page of the Victorian Government’s Covid-19 Response website:

Children who do not wear a face mask when required and do not have a lawful reason or excuse can be fined:

• $40 for children aged under 15 years
• $80 for children aged between 15 and 18 years.

The same web page also states that the maximum penalty for children under the age of 15 found to be in breach of Victoria’s Covid-19 Rules is $181.74(NZD 190.44), and $726.96(NZD 761.75) for children between the ages of 15-18.

The New South Wales Government is also issuing identical fines, however, children under the age of 12 are exempt from wearing a face mask in NSW.