• Welcome articles

Welcome to the June edition of LHA News.

It may appear that some industries – such as horticulture, construction or meat and poultry processing – are more often the target of LHA compliance and enforcement than other industries.

For example, this month we look at the latest successful LHA prosecution of a horticulture company, which saw $255,000 in penalties imposed on an unlicensed provider and two individuals who ran the business.

On a broader scale, while Victoria’s horticulture industry has nearly 500 licensed providers, LHA has cancelled almost half that number of licences in the industry to date.

This focus is deliberate – and needed. While LHA regulates all industries, we focus our compliance work on addressing those practices and risks that cause the greatest harm to Victorian workers and disadvantage legitimate businesses.

Our most recent horticulture prosecution followed an LHA investigation that uncovered exploitation of vulnerable workers, who were living in overcrowded accommodation supplied by the business.

Because this kind of unlawful and harmful conduct persists, so does LHA’s focus on the industry.

It’s why our teams were inspecting horticulture hosts again this month in the Yarra Valley, uncovering alleged non-compliance and educating businesses.

It’s why – if you’re a horticulture host business – you saw digital ads from LHA this month, highlighting your obligations, and how to protect your business and your workers by only using licensed labour hire providers.

And it’s why, whether you operate in horticulture or another Victorian industry, we appreciate your commitment to making labour hire fairer.

We hope you enjoy this edition.

Steve Dargavel
Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner

In this Edition

• Penalties totalling $255,000 imposed for unlicensed operation following LHA investigation into overcrowded accommodation
• Alleged non-compliance uncovered by LHA at Yarra Valley farms, as part of ongoing focus in horticulture
• Unlicensed providers, suspected underpayments and worker harms alleged following LHA meat processing inspections
• Providers should be aware of changes to entry-level classifications in the Horticulture Award
• Webinars for new and established providers, and tailored sessions for hospitality and manufacturing businesses
• Details of all providers subject to licensing action in April 2025

Licensing update

May 2025:

• 103 Licence applications submitted 
• 50 Licence renewals granted 
• 61 Licences granted 
• 60 Licences refused or cancelled

Resources

• With the end of the financial year approaching, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) have developed an Employer obligations factsheet to help employers ensure they meet their tax and super obligations. For more information, visit ato.gov.au/employers