Welcome to the first edition of LHA News for 2025
6 February 2025
Welcome to the first edition of LHA News for 2025.
Late last year, the Formal Review into Victorian Government Bodies’ Engagement with Construction Companies and Construction Unions was published.
The Victorian Government accepted the review’s recommendations, including several related to labour hire and the strengthening of the Labour Hire Authority’s regulatory powers.
We’ve taken strong action in the construction industry to date, much of which has been covered in this newsletter, including cancelling more than 100 licences and prosecuting unlawful conduct.
Most recently, LHA action in the Supreme Court of Victoria resulted in five companies and three company directors being issued $759,674 in total penalties for involvement in unlicensed operations.
Once the recommendations of the review are implemented, following consultation, LHA will have even broader scope to respond to criminal and unlawful behaviour in the construction industry.
In the meantime, we will maintain our focus on compliance and enforcement in the construction industry, along with our broader program targeting a range of industries and harms.
In December, the Supreme Court of Victoria issued a horticulture company and its director penalties totalling $287,500 for failing to comply with licence obligations.
You can read more about that case, and important new year reminders in this edition.
We hope you enjoy this month’s LHA News.
Steve Dargavel
Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner
In this Edition
- Horticulture company and its director issued penalties totalling $287,500 for failing to comply with licence obligations
- Labour Hire Authority powers to be strengthened to address unlawful conduct in Victoria’s construction industry, following government review
- New year reminders – check your licence details and advise LHA of any changes to your business
- LHA’s 2025 engagement program begins with information sessions across regional Victoria
- Details of all providers subject to licensing action in November and December 2024
Licensing update
- 68 licence applications submitted
- 50 licence renewals granted
- 71 licences granted
- 47 licences refused or cancelled
January 2025:
- 75 licence applications submitted
- 46 licence renewals granted
- 63 licences granted
- 51 licences refused or cancelled
Reminder
- From 1 January 2025, intentionally underpaying an employee’s wages or entitlements can be a criminal offence. For more information, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website.