• Welcome articles

Labour hire licensing acts as a barrier to entry to the industry – to keep bad operators out, and to protect workers and businesses alike from their unlawful conduct. 

LHA collects and assesses a range of information through licence applications – and when something is amiss, we take action to prevent worker exploitation and improve industry integrity. 

For this reason, unlicensed operation attracts the maximum penalties under Victoria’s labour hire law – of more than $650,000 for companies and $160,000 for individuals.

LHA recently filed a case in the Supreme Court of Victoria enforcing this aspect of the law, alleging a company committed 147 breaches of the law by providing unlicensed labour hire services. 

Also this month:

• The cancellation of the licence of M.A Services Group Pty Ltd – a large security services provider – highlights issues with underpriced contracts.
• Victoria Police have arrested four people following an LHA investigation into alleged money laundering in Mildura.
• The heads of LHA and the Fair Work Ombudsman are convening a Labour Hire Forum in the Yarra Valley in March, providing growers and labour hire providers the opportunity to discuss compliance issues and ways to improve.

I hope you enjoy this edition.

Steve Dargavel

In this edition

• LHA case alleges unlicensed labour hire company made $3 million through 147 breaches
• In focus: Underpriced contracts by large host businesses
• Four arrested after LHA investigation into alleged money laundering operation in Mildura
• Check your licence details and advise LHA of any changes to your business
• Tackling issues in horticulture at the Yarra Valley Labour Hire Forum in March
• Providers subject to licensing action in January 2026

Licensing update

February 2026:

• 89 licence applications submitted
• 105 licence renewals granted
• 76 licences granted
• 42 licences refused, or cancelled (by LHA or provider)

Resources

• LHA continues to take compliance and enforcement action in the construction industry. Details of recent licensing notices are published on LHA’s construction industry web page.
• With Payday Super starting 1 July 2026, the Australian Tax Office has released a new video outlining the key steps small businesses should take now, ahead of the transition.