• Welcome articles

As we head towards the new year, I wanted to wish everyone a happy, healthy festive season.

We began 2025 with the successful prosecution of a horticulture business for operating without a labour hire licence – and we end the year with a new criminal prosecution being filed.

LHA has filed criminal charges against an individual for allegedly providing false or misleading information to LHA in their licence application, and in response to subsequent enquiries. 

Late last year, the Victorian Government announced LHA’s regulatory powers would be strengthened to further address unlawful behaviour in the construction industry – this week, the legislation was passed by the Victorian Parliament. The strengthened powers will be implemented progressively; we'll provide further updates in the new year.

And as mentioned last month – from 1 December, Victorian employers have new obligations to protect employees from psychological injury. To maintain their licence, labour hire providers need to comply with these obligations – to identify psychosocial hazards such as aggression, bullying or sexual harassment, and to control related risks. 

As well as being a licence requirement, creating a psychologically healthy and safe workplace improves wellbeing, reduces incidents, and boosts productivity, helping both workers and businesses.

I hope you enjoy this edition.

Steve Dargavel
Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner

In this edition

• Criminal charges filed against horticulture business owner who allegedly provided false information to LHA
• Insolvency, administration, restructuring and your obligations 
• 2025 in construction – and looking ahead to important changes
• Broadening reach and focusing scope – wrapping up LHA engagement in 2025
• Providers subject to licensing action in October 2025

Licensing update

 November 2025:

• 82 licence applications submitted
• 112 licence renewals granted
• 78 licences granted
• 52 licences refused or cancelled

Resources

• From 1 December, new rules came into effect creating new obligations for Victorian employers to identify and manage risks associated with psychosocial hazards. For more information, visit the WorkSafe Victoria website.