• Welcome articles

The horticulture industry has been a significant focus for LHA since 2019, with hundreds of labour hire licences in horticulture refused, cancelled or having conditions imposed.

LHA legal action has also led to over $2 million in total penalties imposed on unlawful horticulture providers across Victoria.

A recently published report by the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has highlighted the work still required to make the industry fairer for businesses and workers. The report identified areas at high-risk of non-compliance in horticulture across Australia and included several Victorian regions.

We welcome the publishing of the report, and FWO’s commitment to work in collaboration with LHA to target the high-risk areas.

In this edition, you can read about two recent LHA activities in one of these areas - Mildura:

• A Queensland-based provider and director were fined a total of $91,000 for advertising unlicensed labour hire, including for grape pickers in Mildura.
• LHA officers visited several farms in Mildura to investigate non-compliance, as part of an LHA operation focusing on growers this citrus harvest season.

This is an important area – one of many, as we continue to expand our compliance footprint in LHA’s mission to prevent worker exploitation and improve integrity and transparency in labour hire.

We hope you enjoy this edition.


Steve Dargavel 
Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner

In this Edition

• Penalties of $91,000 for Queensland business and director who advertised unlicensed
• Mildura citrus growers on notice, after alleged non-compliance found at LHA site visits
• LHA security industry guidance updated for the 2025-26 financial year
• New LHA communication campaign asks labour hire hosts “have you checked the licence?”
• Upcoming information sessions and exhibiting at expos
• Details of all providers subject to licensing action in June 2025

Licensing update

July 2025:

• 90 Licence applications submitted 
• 20 Licence renewals granted 
• 86 Licences granted 
• 18 Licences refused or cancelled

Events

• Nominations for the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence 2025 are now open. The awards honour outstanding individuals and organisations who have made significant contributions to strengthening multiculturalism in Victoria. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit the Victorian Multicultural Commission website.