Welcome to the August 2026 edition of the LHA News

I am pleased to introduce my first edition of LHA News as Acting Labour Licensing Commissioner, following the retirement of Steve Dargavel.

As LHA’s Chief Operating Officer, I have been fortunate to work closely with Steve for the past two and half years. Under Steve’s leadership, we have taken significant strides towards a fairer labour hire industry in Victoria, and I would like to thank him for his eight years of service as Commissioner. 

While LHA has seen a change at the top, our mission remains the same – to protect labour hire workers and to improve the integrity and transparency of the industry.

LHA recognises the critical role of labour hire hosts in this mission. This month, we look at LHA’s most significant legal action against hosts to date – a case filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria against four individual farms in the Swan Hill region, and the unlicensed company they allegedly engaged.

In a case that provides a stark reminder of the importance of labour hire licensing, LHA alleges that:

• a worker was kept in confinement at a property and restaurant for over three years, while their name and passport were used to open a bank account and apply for a labour hire licence (which LHA refused) without their knowledge or consent
• the company earned around $750,000 from unlicensed labour hire services in less than 12 months – revenue that could otherwise have supported providers operating lawfully.

The four farms each face maximum penalties of over $660,000 for the alleged use of unlicensed labour hire – the same as those faced by the company that allegedly provided unlicensed services. 

In recent years, LHA has undertaken extensive industry engagement and advertising campaigns to raise hosts’ awareness of their obligations. It is fast and free for hosts to ensure they only use licensed providers – in two minutes on the LHA website, hosts can check a provider’s licence and subscribe to be notified of any changes in licence status. 

By always checking a provider’s labour hire licence, hosts support lawful operators and protect themselves from disruption, penalties and potential involvement in unlawful and exploitative conduct. 

It is critical that hosts understand and comply with their obligations, and it is straightforward for them to do so. LHA will continue to actively support hosts’ understanding of their obligations through industry engagement, and we will be strong in enforcing hosts’ compliance.

I hope you enjoy this edition.

Michelle Osborne
Acting Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner

In this edition

• LHA files Supreme Court action alleging four Swan Hill farms used unlicensed labour hire
• New condition to drive compliance with worker accommodation standards
• LHA security industry cost guidance updated for 2026-27
• New advertising campaign highlights strengthened labour hire licensing law
• New provider? Establish a firm footing with an upcoming LHA webinar
• Providers subject to licensing action in June 2026

Licensing update

July 2026:

• 118 licence applications submitted
• 53 licences granted
• 36 licences refused or cancelled (by LHA or provider)
• 110 licence renewals granted