• Welcome articles

Welcome to the December 2023 edition of LHA News.

You may have seen recent media coverage of an LHA prosecution of an unlicensed labour hire provider in the horticulture industry, which resulted in a total penalty of $617,916 against the company.

The provider had supplied workers to four horticulture businesses in regions including Rosebud, Koo Wee Rup, Torquay and Devon Meadows through an intermediary.

The outcome was the highest total penalty ever issued for breaches of labour hire law in Australia, showing that companies that knowingly and repeatedly do not comply will be held to account.

This prosecution rounds off a year that has seen numerous LHA enforcement actions in different industries, and comes as we launch a new campaign for horticulture workers, to raise awareness of their rights and how to report any mistreatment.

Elsewhere in this edition, we look at LHA’s increased focus on the meat processing industry, and at recent collaboration with Queensland’s regulator to tackle non-compliance. We also look back on a big year of engagement – working with the industry towards fairer, more compliant operations.

We hope you enjoy this edition, and this festive season.

Steve Dargavel
Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner

In this Edition

• Horticulture provider penalised $617,916 for unlicensed operation after Supreme Court prosecution by LHA
• New campaign shows horticulture workers “You can help protect your workmates”
• Growing compliance focus on meat processing industry
• Victoria and Queensland collaboration bodes well for future of labour hire regulation in Australia
• Caution on independent contractors - the importance of correctly classifying workers
• Engaging with providers, hosts and stakeholders – 2023 in review

Licensing update

Licensing overview, November 2023:

• 111 licence applications submitted
• 100 licences granted
• 48 licence renewals granted
• 66 licences refused or cancelled 

Resources

• With a hot summer ahead, providers and hosts should plan ahead to keep workers safe – WorkSafe have some handy guidelines around working in heat.