• Welcome articles

Welcome to the first edition of LHA News for 2026.

In late January, following high-profile arrests, LHA cancelled the licence of a construction provider who allegedly provided false or misleading information to LHA.

This latest enforcement action highlights our ongoing collaboration with Victoria Police to stamp out corruption in the industry.

Also in this edition, we look at a recent LHA investigation into substandard housing in Warragul that led to licence conditions being applied to a horticulture provider, preventing them from charging workers for accommodation until LHA is satisfied the accommodation meets minimum standards.

In that case, LHA investigators identified labour hire workers being housed in highly unsanitary and overcrowded conditions, including 22 people living at a single property.

These stories come as legislation to strengthen LHA’s regulatory powers was passed in December, with the first changes implemented just before the new year.

These include changes so we can publish more information about our activities – such as how and why we take licensing action – through channels like LHA News. This will enable us to better inform the industry, promote compliance, and will act as a further deterrent to businesses acting unlawfully.

I hope you enjoy this edition.

Steve Dargavel
Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner

In this edition

• Construction provider has licence cancelled for providing false or misleading information
• More PALM problems: Mouldy and overcrowded worker housing leads to licence conditions
• First changes to strengthen LHA’s powers implemented, including ability to publish information about licensing actions
• Helping businesses start on the right foot, with a webinar for new providers
• Providers subject to licensing action in November and December 2025

Licensing update

December 2025:

• 90 licence applications submitted
• 97 licence renewals granted
• 65 licences granted
• 102 licences refused, or cancelled (by LHA or provider)

January 2026:

• 84 licence applications submitted
• 91 licence renewals granted
• 74 licences granted
• 76 licences refused, or cancelled (by LHA or provider)

Resources

• Relief and recovery support for people and communities affected by the Victorian fires that started on 7 January 2026. For more information, visit the Victorian Government website.