Latest News

Aged care agency licence suspended / Inspections target Sunraysia / New licence conditions for high-risk industries

LHA inspectors identified potential issues including withholding of worker passports, worker underpayments and health and safety concerns.

The definition of labour hire services will be clarified to better cover subcontracting, and certain construction activities are proposed to be defined as labour hire.

The standard conditions apply to providers operating in horticulture, commercial cleaning, security and meat and poultry processing.

August engagement included two webinars for new providers, with more sessions available in September.

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

Victoria’s Labour Hire Authority (LHA) has suspended the licence of Barton Care Pty Ltd with immediate effect, over concerns including that its workers were unqualified and underpaid. 

In action filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Labour Hire Authority (LHA) alleges an unlicensed company supplied workers to four farms in the Swan Hill region.

Supreme Court action against four Swan Hill farms / New licence conditions for accommodation. 

The case alleges a worker was kept in confinement for over three years and had their name and passport used to apply for a labour hire licence without their knowledge or consent.

New licence conditions on worker accommodation address the significant risks associated with substandard housing.

LHA uses its security industry guidance as a benchmark for assessing the risk of non-compliance with relevant legal obligations.

The campaign runs through to October across radio, digital, social and outdoor advertising.

New providers can register for information sessions to better understand their compliance obligations.

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

Two companies in Victoria’s construction industry have elected to cancel their labour hire licences after the Labour Hire Authority (LHA) commenced investigations into the businesses.

Construction company cancelled / Hudson out of VIC / Seven years with LHA

After seven years under Commissioner Dargavel’s leadership, we reflect on the progress made so far towards LHA’s mission.

Women in Construction Pty Ltd had its licence renewal refused after LHA could not be satisfied its director was fit and proper.

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.

Information sessions for labour hire businesses and stakeholders will be held in Melbourne, Mildura, Narre Warren and online in July.

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

Victoria’s Labour Hire Authority (LHA) has cancelled the labour hire licence of Hudson Global Resources Pty Ltd (Hudson), effectively banning the company from operating in the state.

The Labour Hire Authority (LHA) has refused to renew the labour hire licence of Women in Construction Pty Ltd.

Stronger labour hire laws take effect this week, for all labour hire licence holders and applicants.

Providers will supply a range of new information to meet new requirements around transparency, compliance capacity and fit and proper persons.

The company and its director provided horticulture workers in Mildura, Swan Hill, Robinvale, Lilydale and Shepparton.

Officers identified non-compliance including workers who were underpaid, had entitlements withheld and could not identify their employer.

LHA invites labour hire providers and stakeholders to information sessions across Victoria in June and July.

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

Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner, Steve Dargavel, has announced he will step down after leading Victoria’s Labour Hire Authority (LHA) since it was established in 2019.

The Labour Hire Authority (LHA) has cancelled the labour hire licence of 24/7 Personnel Pty Ltd, following an investigation into the business and the people running it.

The Supreme Court of Victoria has issued penalties totalling $830,000 to an unlicensed labour hire company and its director, following legal action by Victoria’s Labour Hire Authority (LHA).

Cancelled construction business must cease operations / New licensing requirements.

LHA cancelled the licence of B K Labour Hire in January, after finding the company had provided falsified invoices.

The changes apply to the process of applying for or renewing a licence.

Providers should understand what to look for when choosing a business adviser and what tools and resources are available.

Applying the incorrect award leads to worker underpayment and creates an unlevel playing field.

LHA continues its active engagement with industry and stakeholders.

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

Yarra Valley grower faces legal action / Nine criminal charges for labour hire director.

The legal action came in the same week as regulators hosted a forum for growers in Healesville, highlighting compliance issues in the region.

The nine charges carry a maximum combined penalty of over $250,000.

LHA is working with Victoria Police and other regulators to investigate the alleged contraventions of labour hire laws.

LHA uses information provided through the Report a Problem tool to inform compliance and enforcement activities.

New providers can register for information sessions to better understand their compliance obligations.

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

In action filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Labour Hire Authority (LHA) alleges a Yarra Valley orchard sourced workers to pick and pack apples through an unlicensed company.

In the wake of a significant compliance operation by the Labour Hire Authority (LHA) in February, and a concerning 2025 report by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO), the heads of the FWO and LHA held a forum with local growers, industry groups and labour hire companies on 17 March.

Charges filed for alleged false information / Underpriced contracts by large host businesses / Yarra Valley Labour Hire Forum

The unlicensed company allegedly supplied workers to two orchards to perform fruit picking and packing.

Some clients of MA Services Group paid contract rates too low for the company to cover the cost of wages, benefits and taxation at lawful rates.

Four foreign nationals have been arrested and bank accounts worth over $3.3m seized by Victoria Police.

Take a moment to check your business details and stay on top of your obligations.

The forum will be hosted by the heads of FWO and LHA in Healesville.

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

Construction provider has licence cancelled following arrests / Licence conditions applied after LHA investigates overcrowded accommodation.

BK Labour Hire’s licence was cancelled following joint action with Victoria Police’s Hawk Taskforce, as part of a continuing focus on the construction industry.

LHA inspections found Kyshan Pty Ltd was housing workers in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions across two properties.

Further changes to be implemented in 2026 include clarifying activities defined as ‘labour hire’.

LHA's regular webinars support new providers to better understand their licensing obligations.

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