A Muffin Break franchise in one of Melbourne’s biggest shopping centres has been slapped with 360 charges by Victoria’s child employment watchdog.

Wage Inspectorate Victoria has accused the Southland store of employing three children under the age of 15 without a permit on 111 occasions between March and October 2022.

The bakery and coffee shop allegedly failed to ensure the children were supervised by someone with working with children credentials, and did not provide a rest break of at least 30 minutes after every three hours.

Other alleged offences include letting children work for longer than three hours a day during a school term and for longer than six hours a day during school holidays.

Each of the above offences carries fines of more than $18,000.

The case has been listed to be heard in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on June 16.

Under Victorian law, employers of children under 15 must obtain a permit from the Wage Inspectorate before any work takes place.

It is the eighth child employment prosecution the watchdog has launched in the past 18 months.

In 2019, the Fair Work Ombudsman revealed parent company Foodco back-paid 164 Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue staff more than $26,000 staff under a two-year audit and compliance agreement.

Foodco has been approached for comment.

– AAP