The Youth Employment Protection Act is intended to protect children and young people from overwork, excessive demands and dangers in the workplace. The Act applies to the employment of all persons under the age of 18. Excluded from this are minor assistance services, insofar as these are occasionally provided as a favor, on the basis of family law regulations, in youth welfare facilities and for the integration of people with disabilities.

The employment of children, i.e. persons who are not yet 15 years old, and young people who are required to attend school full-time is generally prohibited. Exceptions may be granted for children from the age of three in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 of the Youth Employment Protection Act for events in the cultural and media sector upon application. Any form of employment is prohibited for children under the age of three. There are no exceptions to this employment ban.

For events in dance halls, cabarets, amusement parks, funfairs and similar events, an exception in accordance with 3 6 of the Youth Employment Protection Act may not be granted. The decisive factor here is that the event could be dangerous to the health or development of a child or young person of full-time school age due to its nature or external environment.