Welcome to the July 2026 edition of the LHA News

This edition comes amidst a wave of LHA compliance and enforcement action, driven by our dedicated team of investigators, analysts, regulatory and legal practitioners.

These significant actions – highlighted nationally in recent media coverage – come off the back of the most important changes to Victoria’s licensing scheme since LHA was established in 2019.

Implementing these changes has been supported by hard working and skilled LHA staff.

After seven years, LHA’s work continues to see new levels of reach and impact in our mission to protect workers and improve the integrity and transparency of Victoria’s labour hire industry.

Having had the privilege of leading LHA throughout that time, I announced last month that I would step down as Commissioner from 1 August.

While there is still much to be done, we have made important progress in seven years, thanks to our capable and dedicated team, and strong support from the Victorian Government and agency partners.

In particular, I would like to thank the collaboration of the Phoenix Task Force in helping us tackle illegal phoenix activity – which has been rife in the Victorian labour hire industry – and thank Victoria Police for their invaluable work with us over the years.

I especially wish to thank the Victorian government for introducing the scheme itself, without which thousands of workers would have continued to be ripped off, and legitimate businesses would suffer from unfair and unlawful competition by providers removed from the industry.

I also want to acknowledge the contribution of those businesses and peak bodies who have understood the importance of playing their part in making labour hire fairer.

Since 2019, we’ve removed more than 1,000 non-compliant labour hire providers from the industry and taken significant enforcement action against unlicensed providers and hosts – and from last month, LHA now has stronger powers to make the industry fairer.

The stronger powers enable LHA to take action against licensed providers who may not operate in accordance with expectations but were required to be licensed under the previous laws.

We are grateful to be provided with the opportunity to further improve the integrity of the industry, which will result in more protections for workers and improved opportunities for businesses who do the right thing.

In this edition, we take a moment to look back at seven years of LHA and the outcomes so far.

We also highlight some of the important work that continues, including:

• two construction companies removed from the industry after LHA investigations into their relevant persons
• Hudson Global Resources Pty Ltd having its licence cancelled after its directors found unfit
• the last weeks of our Regulatory Reform Roadshow for licensed providers – we’re seeing great feedback on the value of these sessions, so be sure to book in if you haven’t yet.

 I hope you enjoy this edition, and I wish you the best for the future.

Steve Dargavel

Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner

In this edition

• Seven years of LHA: A snapshot of progress so far
• Media release: LHA cancels licence of major recruitment agency
• Construction companies blocked from Victoria following LHA investigations
• New FY: Make sure you are across changes to tax, wages and Payday Super
• Final info sessions on 1 June licensing changes: Book a place and ensure you are up to date
• Providers subject to licensing action in May 2026

Licensing update

June 2026:

• 79 licence applications submitted
• 39 licences granted
• 66 licences refused or cancelled (by LHA or provider)
• 146 licence renewals granted

Resources 

• The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has information and reminders for businesses for the end of financial year, including on superannuation and National Minimum Wage and award minimum wage increases. For more information, visit the ATO website.