• Media releases

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.

LHA formed the view that Hudson contravened the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018 (Vic), noting:

• the significant history of unlawful conduct by Hudson, including breaches of workplace, taxation, corporations and labour hire laws
• substantial unpaid debts to workers, the government and creditors, including over $8 million in unpaid superannuation and wages, and an ATO debt of over $20 million
• issues with compliance capacity, given Hudson is under external administration, is subject to active criminal proceedings from ASIC, has traded at a loss for several years, and has not demonstrated meaningful accountability or governance reform
• several transactions were identified by the company administrator as likely representing breaches of directors’ duties, including forgiveness of $11 million in debts owed by related companies
• failure to declare its CEO and other executives as decision-makers within the company, in contravention of the Act.

The licence cancellation takes effect on 10 July 2026. If Hudson provides labour hire services in Victoria after that date, it faces maximum penalties under the Act of more than $660,000 for a company and $160,000 for an individual.

Organisations hosting workers supplied by Hudson may opt to directly employ these staff on a fixed-term or ongoing basis, or to engage them through another licensed labour hire company.

LHA has notified government departments of the cancellation of Hudson’s licence, providing an opportunity for other arrangements to be made as required and appropriate.

Stronger labour hire licensing laws took effect in Victoria on 1 June 2026, including a more stringent ‘fit and proper person’ test, increased legal compliance requirements, and financial viability tests.

Comments attributable to Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner, Steve Dargavel:

“We found it unacceptable – as I’m sure competent businesses would – for Hudson to continue to make a mockery of the legal obligations everyone else must comply with. Enough is enough.”

“The administrator’s recommended way forward extinguishes claims against the company by workers and other creditors, likely reducing workers’ ability to recover what they’re owed.”

“While the company administrator says Hudson can trade its way out of this situation, based on the company’s history and the evidence provided, I’m not satisfied that’s the case.”

“Through its conduct, Hudson has badly let down its workforce, customers, creditors and the wider community. I have concluded greater harm would likely arise if Hudson continued to operate.”

“Labour hire staff have less security in pay and conditions than direct employees, so it is especially critical that workers are protected from the risk of continued misconduct.”

"While people often think about fruit pickers and security guards as labour hire workers, office staff can also be harmed by labour hire operators that flout the law and do the wrong thing.”