• Compliance & enforcement

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

The licence refusal takes immediate effect, with a grace period until 30 June 2026 to enable construction sites hosting the company’s workers to make alternative labour arrangements. 

Companies engaging workers through Women in Construction may elect to directly employ these staff, or to engage them through another licensed labour hire provider.

If Women in Construction provides labour hire services after 30 June, the company and its directors – and any business found engaging these services – will be exposed to significant penalties.

Under the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018 (Vic), maximum penalties for the supply or use of unlicensed labour hire exceed:

• $650,000 for a company
• $160,000 for an individual.

LHA refused the application by Women in Construction to renew its licence as LHA was not satisfied that all relevant persons were fit and proper to operate a labour hire business. 

LHA identified that multiple relevant persons – key decision-makers within the company – had not been declared to LHA as required. LHA was also not satisfied that all relevant persons were fit and proper under law to operate a labour hire business in Victoria.

Comments from Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner, Steve Dargavel:

“We formed the view that decision-makers within this business, including director Luke Ellery, were not fit and proper to run a labour hire company.”

“We refused this licence based on factors including Mr Ellery’s business compliance history, and his character – including his honesty, integrity and professionalism.”

“This character test is one of the new and powerful tools we have available after Victoria’s strengthened labour hire laws came into effect this month.”

“Making sure we have fit and proper people running labour hire companies is critical to improving integrity in Victoria’s construction industry.”