Latest News

The Victorian Government has announced that LHA's regulatory powers will be strengthened to further address unlawful behaviour in the construction industry.

The Supreme Court of Victoria has issued penalties totalling $287,500 to a horticulture company and its director, following legal action by LHA.

Keeping workers in mind / Obligations when employing apprentices and trainees

LHA has taken a range of actions in 2024 to protect the labour hire workers bringing a happy holiday season.

Providers are responsible for ensuring apprentices and trainees have a safe workplace and appropriate supervision, tools and equipment.

Businesses must hold a valid child employment licence to hire anyone between the ages of 13 and 15.

Upcoming information sessions for providers and hosts will be held in Robinvale, Mildura and Shepparton.

LHA highlights licensing actions each month, to increase industry transparency and to inform and assist businesses with compliance.

Horticulture company prosecuted / Action on phoenixing / LHA Annual Report

The company had failed to notify LHA of changes in directors, and that a director was not a fit and proper person.

The 46-agency Phoenix Taskforce was established in 2014 to detect, deter and disrupt illegal phoenixing.

The Labour Hire Authority (LHA) highlights progress towards its strategic objective to achieve high impact compliance and enforcement outcomes in its 2023-24 annual report.

The Labour Hire Authority (LHA) highlights progress towards its strategic objective to create and maintain a fair and lawful industry in its 2023-24 annual report.

Upcoming information sessions for providers and hosts will be held in Dandenong, Robinvale, Mildura and Shepparton

LHA highlights licensing actions each month, to increase industry transparency and to inform and assist businesses with compliance.

The site visit follows a report to LHA alleging concerns about the welfare of workers at the facility.

Reporting non-compliance can support a fairer industry, regardless of the licence status of a business.

LHA will be hosting targeted industry and regional information sessions throughout October.

LHA highlights licensing actions each month, to increase industry transparency and to inform and assist businesses with compliance.

The construction industry engages a large labour hire workforce, and businesses should ensure they are compliant with their legal obligations or face licensing or enforcement action by LHA.

The total penalties of $759,674 represent the largest ever total penalty for breaches of labour hire law in Australia

Construction company and directors penalised / LHA visit to meat processing facility

The Supreme Court of Victoria has imposed penalties totalling $220,104.96 on a Victorian labour hire company operating in the horticulture industry, following legal action by the Labour Hire Authority.

A total of $759,674 in penalties has been issued to five construction companies and three company directors for their involvement in unlicensed labour hire operations in Victoria.

Non-compliance found on farms in North West Vic / New protections for migrant workers

The business applied for a labour hire licence in April 2024, after allegedly promoting labour hire services in the horticulture and meat processing industries.

The site visits included further collaboration between LHA and FWO, and interviews with licence applicants and workers.

The workplace justice visa enables migrant workers to stay in the country to fight a workplace claim.

Ensure you use your own account when lodging licence applications to avoid delays or missed requests.

Information sessions for providers and hosts will be held in Caulfield and Melton in October.

LHA highlights licensing actions each month, to increase industry transparency and to inform and assist businesses with compliance.

Allegedly unlicensed providers identified through LHA and FWO collaboration / The importance of accurately reporting your business turnover to LHA / Security industry guidance updated for 2024-25

Information shared between the regulators uncovered alleged unlicensed operations on farms in the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula.

Licence fees are calculated based on annual turnover, reported by labour hire providers.

LHA uses information about providers’ contract prices to assess the risk of non-compliance with legal obligations.

With the aged care workforce expected to grow significantly in the coming years, the industry is an emerging focus for LHA.

LHA’s program of engagement continues, including a presence at the Care Expo Melbourne.

LHA highlights licensing actions each month, to increase industry transparency and to inform and assist businesses with compliance.

New year reminders for labour hire businesses / LHA data snapshot – 2023-24 in numbers / New communications campaign for meat and poultry workers

The start of a new financial year is an opportunity for providers to ensure they are up to date with their licence details and legal obligations.

2023-24 saw the highest ever number of labour hire licences in force, and record-breaking compliance and enforcement action

It is important to understand your obligations as a franchise business when supplying labour hire.

The campaign will run throughout July, covering digital, social media and press channels

Engagement activities included information sessions, webinars and expos – with more to come

LHA highlights licensing actions each month, to increase industry transparency and to inform and assist businesses with compliance.

List of providers subject to licensing action in April / Know the signs of human trafficking / Non-compete clauses under government review

LHA will highlight its licensing actions each month, to increase industry transparency and to inform and assist businesses with compliance.

Signs of human trafficking may include withholding wages or travel documents and controlling movements.

The review aims to increase competition and productivity for businesses.

LHA increases its focus on education, engagement and compliance in the meat and poultry processing industries.

LHA’s program of engagement continues with WorkSafe and VDWC webinars in June.

LHA collaborates with FWO to enforce compliance / Busting myths about licensing obligations / Obligations when supplying transport or accommodation

Inspectors attended a horticulture business in Melbourne to investigate claims of wage underpayments.

Don’t get caught out by myths - know your obligations or risk the penalties.

Providers must meet minimum accommodation standards, and ensure drivers hold appropriate licences to remain compliant with their licensing obligations.

Providers and hosts each have responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace.

Upcoming activities include an information session in Bendigo, the Ballarat Business Day Out, and the Hort Connections Expo.

Security company’s licence application refused / Know the rules and classify workers correctly / Renew early or risk not being able to trade

The company was granted multiple deadline extensions, after repeated requests to provide evidence that it was compliant with legal obligations.

LHA has identified employee misclassification and related non-compliance as one of the most common risks for labour hire workers.

Labour hire providers and hosts should be aware of recent and upcoming changes, to ensure they continue to meet their legal obligations.

Providers run the risk of not being able to trade if they leave licence renewal too late.

LHA has recently connected with graduates entering the job market and accommodation regulators.

Submitting accurate annual reports / Caution on external advisers / Unpaid trials

Annual reporting ensures LHA better understands the labour hire industry, and can monitor and enforce compliance with licence requirements.

Most businesses rely on external advisers, so it’s crucial to know you’re getting the right advice.

There are a number of considerations to be aware of when asking a worker to undertake an unpaid trial.

The new reforms include tougher penalties, and powers to ban offending employers from hiring temporary migrants if found guilty.

The campaign covered digital, social media, radio and press channels, and was translated into a range of languages.

Upcoming engagement activities includes more information sessions for hosts and providers, as well as a presence at the upcoming Big Meet careers fair.

Victorian company and director fined for engaging unlicensed providers / Meat and poultry visits uncover non-compliance

The company engaged seven unlicensed labour hire providers to source workers for orchards in the Cobram area.

Several site visits uncovered a range of concerns, as LHA increases its focus on the meat and poultry industry.

LHA’s public registers are now quicker to use and easier to navigate.

Labour hire providers and hosts should be aware of recent changes, to ensure they continue to meet their legal obligations.

LHA commences 2024 engagement program throughout Victoria.