Australian retailers have condemned Victoria’s new workplace protection order scheme as the weakest in the country, warning it leaves staff exposed to repeat offenders while courts consider applications.

Victoria passed legislation in August allowing courts to ban or restrict people who threaten, abuse or attack workers from entering workplaces for up to 12 months.

However, unlike schemes operating in South Australia and the ACT, the Victorian model does not include urgent interim orders capable of immediately barring alleged repeat offenders.

Australian Retail Council chief executive Chris Rodwell said delays in securing final court orders could allow dangerous customers to return while applications remain unresolved.

“Frontline workers face crisis levels of violence, threats and intimidation – the worst in the country,” Rodwell said.

The Victorian Government argues interim orders are unnecessary because it lowered the threshold for courts to issue final orders. The scheme’s commencement has been brought forward from July to March 2027.

Victoria recorded 4,823 assaults and related offences at retail locations during the year to March 2026, while stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour increased 10.1%. Auror data indicates approximately 100 violent retail incidents occur across the state each day.

Coles executive general manager Martin Smithson said threatening incidents in South Australia had fallen 16% during the two years since stronger protections were introduced.

Retail crime is also worsening elsewhere. New NSW data shows theft from retail stores increased 10.4% during the two years to June, while 12 other major crime categories remained stable.

NSW recorded 32,835 retail theft incidents over the latest year – almost 90 per day – with the ARC estimating the crime costs the state $2.8 billion annually.

The Minns Government plans to introduce workplace protection legislation in October. Its proposed orders could ban offenders aged 14 and over from premises, contacting workers or possessing weapons, with breaches carrying up to two years’ imprisonment or a $5,500 fine.

Western Australia’s proposed Retail Barring Orders Bill, meanwhile, passed the Legislative Assembly six months ago but remains stalled in the Legislative Council.

That proposal includes interim orders and could ban repeat offenders from retail premises for two years, with serious or persistent breaches attracting up to five years’ imprisonment.