A plan is being put forward by WA’s retail and hospitality industry to lower the minimum employment age from 15 to 13.

Restaurant and Catering Industry Association CEO Belinda Clarke told Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast that most states have a different minimum age, and the push to lower these comes from wanting to have a “consistent age across the board”.

“Education is still number one and we don’t want them working if it’s going to compromise their education,” she told Breakfast.

“We’re not suggesting we are ‘putting the kids down the mines’.

“It’s about looking at jobs and getting kids to have hands-on practicable experience that will give them lifelong skills.”

Tap PLAY to hear why 13 may not be too young to start getting hands on experience