Children as young as 13 could be serving coffees and selling Christmas presents this year as part of a proposal from Australia's peak retail body calls to fill labour gaps.
Ahead of the federal government's jobs and skills summit, the Australian Retailers Association is calling for an overhaul of inconsistent laws determining the age children can start work.
In NSW, there is no minimum age for part-time work.
In Victoria, the general minimum age for part-time or casual work is 15.
"An ideal model would be one where we allow 13- to 15-year-olds to work, with sensible regulations in place around not working during school hours or at times that would impact a young person's education", said ARA Chief Paul Zahra.
Mr Zahra said Australia was at a crisis point when it came to labour shortages with more than 40,000 vacancies in the retail sector.