The Allan Labor Government has announced tough new laws to protect workers from abuse and violence in shops, restaurants, bars, cafés, shopping centres, taxis, rideshares and delivery services.
Premier Jacinta Allan, joined by Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny and representatives from retail, hospitality and transport sectors, revealed the Crimes Amendment (Retail, Fast Food, Hospitality and Transport Worker Harm) Bill 2025, which will be introduced to Parliament today.
Under the new legislation, assaulting or threatening customer-facing workers could carry up to five years in jail, while lower-level assaults and threatening behaviour—including verbal abuse—could result in up to six months’ imprisonment. The laws cover all frontline and back-of-house staff, as well as contractors such as cleaners and security personnel.
“Retail workers know the difference between a difficult customer and one who harms. These laws nail it,” Allan said.
“I worked at a supermarket and I know what it was like. Today, we stand with workers to say it should never be a part of your job, and you’ll be protected.”
The Bill also strengthens penalties for ram raids, recognising them as aggravated burglary with a maximum sentence of 25 years and enabling Adult Time for Violent Crime laws to apply, regardless of the offender’s age.
Victoria will also introduce Workplace Protection Orders to keep violent or threatening individuals away from workplaces, building on models currently used in the ACT and other jurisdictions. Consultation with police, unions and industry will inform the rollout, expected in April 2026.
Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said the reforms “respond directly to concerns about rising abuse and violence in workplaces across Victoria,” while South-Eastern Metropolitan MP Michael Galea emphasised,
“Every Victorian deserves to feel safe at work – that includes people serving customers, driving trams and buses, or working in restaurants and shops.”
Retail crime continues to impact thousands of workers, most of whom are women and a third under 24. Recent surveys show more than half of transport gig workers have experienced threats or abuse, and almost nine in ten retail workers have been verbally abused.
If passed, the Bill is expected to become law before Christmas, marking a major step in protecting Victorian workers on the frontlines.
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