• Welcome articles

Welcome to the November edition of LHA News.

Last week, LHA published its 2023-24 annual report, which shows our fifth year of operations was the most successful to date in our mission to protect workers and improve the integrity of the industry.

We finalised 474 compliance investigations in 2023-24, and undertook more legal action than in the previous four years combined.

LHA also invested in record levels of industry education and engagement – through statewide information sessions, as well as webinars, our website and other digital tools and channels.

The year also saw us grow our data and intelligence capabilities and broaden our compliance program to address new industries and emerging harms. The year ended with more labour hire providers operating with a licence than ever before.

And LHA’s regulatory activities continue apace – in this month’s newsletter, you can read about:

• our latest legal action, which saw penalties totalling $263,889 issued by the Supreme Court of Victoria to a horticulture company and directors for failing to notify LHA of changes in directors, and that a director was not a fit and proper person
• a coordinated multi-agency Day of Action targeting illegal phoenix activity in horticulture.

I hope you enjoy this edition.

Steve Dargavel
Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner

In this Edition

• Horticulture company and directors issued penalties totalling $263,889 for failing to notify LHA of changes in directors, and that a director was not a fit and proper person
• Alleged illegal phoenix activity identified following site visits in Koo Wee Rup, as part of Phoenix Taskforce Day of Action
• High-impact enforcement outcomes, and more licensed providers than ever – progress in 2023-24
• Maintaining a fair and lawful industry – progress in 2023-24
• Commercial cleaning and regional information sessions – LHA engagement in November
• Details of all providers subject to licensing action in September 2024

Licensing update

October 2024:

• 106 licence applications submitted
• 51 licence renewals granted
• 78 licences granted
• 48 licences refused or cancelled

Resources

• CONNECT:PROTECT is a joint Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) and Labour Hire Authority (LHA) campaign aimed at protecting apprentices and trainees employed by labour hire providers. To access resources and more information, visit the campaign website.

• Hiring new workers to cover the summer months? The Australian Tax Office has published handy tips to help you stay on top of your tax and super obligations. For more information, visit the ATO website.