• Compliance & enforcement

The Labour Hire Authority (LHA) is investigating two construction businesses linked to Mr Joel Leavitt, for allegedly advertising and providing labour hire without a licence in contravention of labour hire laws.

LHA received a request for information from Victoria Police last week in relation to a bail variation application from Mr Leavitt, that linked him to the operations of TCB Demolition Construction Pty Ltd (TCB Demolition Construction) and TCB Workforce Solutions Pty Ltd (TCB Workforce Solutions).

Mr Leavitt is charged with blackmailing a man by demanding $663,000 during a meeting at a business premises in Brooklyn.

Leveraging intelligence from Victoria Police, LHA investigators confirmed that TCB Demolition Construction was advertising ‘labour hire’ services on its website, despite not holding a labour hire licence.

LHA has warned TCB Demolition Construction and TCB Workforce Solutions that it is unlawful to advertise or provide labour hire services without a licence under the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018 (Vic).

Labour hire providers must be run by fit and proper persons and comply with a broad range of legal obligations.

Under the Act, penalties for using or providing unlicensed labour hire services can exceed:

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

Under the Act, penalties for advertising unlicensed labour hire services can exceed:

• $160,000 for a corporation
• $40,000 for an individual.

LHA may also seek temporary court orders to enforce the Act.

Host businesses should be aware that it is unlawful to enter into a labour hire arrangement with either TCB Demolition Construction or TCB Workforce Solutions while they remain unlicensed.

LHA is working with Victoria Police and other regulators to investigate the alleged contraventions of labour hire laws by TCB Demolition Construction and TCB Workforce Solutions, and the nature of Mr Leavitt’s involvement in any contravening conduct.  

Anyone with information to assist LHA’s investigations is encouraged to contact LHA on 1300 545 200 or via the Report a Problem tool.

LHA has previously cancelled licences and refused applications from construction businesses controlled by undisclosed persons who were not fit and proper, including persons linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs and organised crime.

As at February 2026, LHA licensing and enforcement actions in the construction industry include:

• 47 licence applications refused
• 147 licences cancelled
• 31 licences with conditions imposed.

LHA continues to publish the details of recent enforcement actions in the construction industry on its construction industry web page.

Actions for hosts – protect your business

Hosts can take two quick actions to protect their business and support LHA in working towards a fairer industry for businesses and workers:

• Check the licence of any current providers is active on the Labour Hire Licence Register.
• Subscribe to be notified of any changes to providers’ licence status through the Follow my Providers tool.

For more information for hosts on how to protect their business when engaging labour hire, visit labourhireauthority.vic.gov.au/host