• Media releases

The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria has issued penalties totalling $91,000 to an unlicensed labour hire company and its director, following legal action by Victoria’s Labour Hire Authority (LHA).

Queensland-based company Gobally Talent Group Pty Ltd (Gobally) had advertised for labour hire workers to pick grapes in Mildura, and to work in abattoirs in Stawell, Horsham and the Grampians.

The advertisements were published on Facebook and Gobally’s website and were primarily directed towards Indonesian and Taiwanese working holiday visa holders.

The Court found Gobally contravened the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018 (Vic) by not holding a Victorian labour hire licence when advertisements were published between February and September 2024.

The company was penalised $74,000 and company director Sheng-Yao Ho was penalised $17,000 for involvement in the contraventions.

Under the Act, it is unlawful for individuals or organisations without a licence to advertise labour hire services in Victoria, or to hold themselves out to be a labour hire provider. 

The Court also found Gobally was aware of the requirement to hold a labour hire licence, as the company had applied for a Victorian labour hire licence in April 2024 after the advertisements were published. 

The company’s licence application was refused.

LHA oversees Victoria’s labour hire licensing scheme, which was introduced following findings of widespread exploitation and unlawful activity in the industry.

Victorian businesses can check the licence status of any labour hire business, before they engage them, at labourhireauthority.vic.gov.au/check

Quotes attributable to Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner, Steve Dargavel:

“It doesn’t matter where your company is based – if you want to supply labour hire workers in Victoria, we need to check you’re fit and proper and not set up to exploit workers or undercut lawful local businesses.”

“This is the first prosecution in Victoria for advertising unlicensed labour hire services. It should send a clear message to other unlicensed providers that LHA will use all tools at its disposal and is able to act swiftly and forcefully to address prohibited conduct at an early stage”.

“Labour hire businesses who do the right thing can be confident that LHA will take action against businesses seeking to undercut them unlawfully.”

For any queries on this release, contact LHA’s media team on 0400 301 840 or communications@labourhireauthority.vic.gov.au

Download: LHA - Media Release - Gobally Judgement - 280725 (PDF)