Renew a labour hire licence

In December 2025, the Victorian Parliament passed a bill to strengthen the powers of the Labour Hire Authority (LHA) to further address unlawful conduct in labour hire and the construction industry.

The Labour Hire Legislation Amendment (Licensing) Bill is being implemented in stages during 2026 to make Victoria’s labour hire laws stronger and broader.

For more information on the new licensing requirements, visit Labour hire law changes 2026.

From 1 June 2026, three important changes will come into effect, impacting who is considered suitable to hold a labour hire licence, and on what basis. The changes will apply to all licence holders and applicants.

If you are preparing to renew your labour hire licence, you should be aware of these changes and ensure you can comply with the new requirements.

Licensing changes from 1 June

1. A stronger fit and proper person test

People who wish to be involved in running a labour hire company – as a nominated officer or relevant person – will need to pass a more rigorous ‘fit and proper person test’.

LHA will be able to consider new factors to determine whether a person is fit and proper, including:

• if the person is under the control or influence of another person who is not fit and proper
• the person’s character, including their honesty, integrity and professionalism.

2. Overall compliance is more important

LHA will have more scope to assess compliance with relevant laws to make licensing decisions – including to refuse an application or cancel a licence – by considering:

• previous, current and ongoing compliance with relevant laws
• a wider range of relevant laws, in addition to the existing labour hire and workplace laws, including laws relating to bankruptcy, consumer protection, fair trading and corporate regulation.

3. Businesses must be financially viable

To apply for or renew a licence, a labour hire business will need to declare that they are financially viable, and LHA must be satisfied that a business is financially viable.

Renewal changes from 1 June

From 1 June, to meet these new requirements, there will be changes to the information LHA collects through licensing transactions such as renewals, and to how LHA assesses that information.

Depending on the nature of your business and individual circumstances, your renewal application may need to include:

• information and supporting documents to determine the fit and proper person status of the applicant, the nominated officer and all relevant persons
• details of any ‘close associates’ that control or influence the licence holder
• a declaration of compliance with an expanded list of relevant laws
• a declaration that the licence holder is financially viable, with supporting information and documents
• details of any cash payments to workers, any deductions from worker payments and the address of any accommodation provided to workers. 

As with all information you provide to LHA, it is important that your renewal application is complete and correct. Providing false or misleading information to LHA may constitute a criminal offence that may result in licence cancellation, prosecution and significant individual penalties.

Transition arrangements and LHLO portal outage

While these changes are implemented, some LHLO portal functions will be unavailable and licence renewal applications will not be accepted from 4.00pm Friday 29 May to Sunday 31 May.

Licence holders may lodge a licence renewal application up to six months before the expiry date of the current licence. If you are required to renew your labour hire licence soon, you should either: 

• complete your renewal with payment in full prior to 29 May 2026; or
• submit a renewal application after 1 June.

As the new licence requirements will apply from 1 June, licence holders may need to provide additional information for renewal applications submitted prior to that date to meet the new requirements.

Please also be aware that it is unlawful to advertise or provide labour hire services without a licence. Significant penalties apply, so ensure you submit your renewal application before your licence expires.

For more information on the new licensing requirements, visit Labour hire law changes 2026.

1. Visit the Register of Licensed Labour Hire Providers to confirm who your ‘nominated officer’ is – they will need to submit the application. If the nominated officer’s details have changed or are not correct, update them through your LHLO account at any time.
2. Your nominated officer should log into their LHLO account and ensure their details are correct, as well as ensuring all relevant person(s) are included. It’s a licence condition that these details are correct and current, and that all parties are fit and proper person(s).

Each provider’s nominated officer needs to complete the following steps – refer to LHA’s Licence renewal guide and checklist for the full process and requirements for each step.

It is important that all details in the application are correct and current – penalties may apply for knowingly providing incorrect information.

1. Log into your LHLO account and tap the ‘Renew’ button.
2. Answer the questions to confirm your eligibility to apply to renew your licence.
3. Confirm that your business details are correct and update if required.
4. Provide information about your employment arrangement with workers.
5. Confirm your personal and contact details, as the provider’s nominated officer. 
6. Confirm and update details of your provider’s ‘relevant person(s)’ – ensure all relevant person(s) are included.
7. Confirm that you and all relevant person(s) in the application meet the definition of ‘fit and proper person(s)’. You must make all necessary and reasonable inquiries to be satisfied this information is true and correct – knowingly providing false or misleading information may result in a substantial fine.
8. Review your submission to ensure it is correct, or amend as needed, then read and make declarations relevant to the application.
9. Pay the application fee via credit/debit card or BPAY®.
10. Submit your application.

Fees

You must pay the renewal application fee when lodging your renewal application, otherwise LHA cannot progress your application.

If your application is successful, you will also need to pay your first annual licence fee when your renewal is granted. Future annual fees are due at the start of each 12-month period until the licence expires.

Renewal fees can be paid through the LHLO Portal using:

• Visa or Mastercard (credit or debit)
• BPAY

If you are unable to pay using these methods, contact our Finance Branch at least four weeks before your licence expires to discuss your options via admin@labourhireauthority.vic.gov.au.

False and misleading information

Under section 87 of the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018, it is an offence to provide information to LHA that is believed to be false or misleading in a material particular, or to produce a document that you know to be false or misleading (without indicating the respect in which it is false or misleading and if practicable providing the correct information).

Disclosing a prior incidence of non-compliance won’t necessarily result in your renewal application being refused. However, if you knowingly provide false or misleading information you could receive a substantial fine and your renewal application for a licence could be refused, or a licence that is granted could be cancelled.

Once your labour hire licence renewal application has been submitted, your licence will remain in place until a decision is made.

Most renewal applications are processed within a month, with the vast majority completed within two months. If LHA needs further information regarding your application, our Licensing team will be in touch.

You may withdraw your renewal application by contacting LHA at any stage before the licence renewal is granted. Please note, the renewal application fee cannot be refunded.

Application publication and objections period

Details of your renewal application will be published in the Applications Received Register, including:

• Applicant’s name and contact details
• Nominated officer’s name and contact details
• Business name and address
• ACN or ARBN.

Persons or organisations who have an interest in the protection of workers or the integrity of the labour hire industry (interested person) may make an objection to a licence application or renewal.

These objections must be made within 14 days of notice of the application being published on the Applications Received Register. The decision on your renewal application will be made following this 14-day objection period.

Successful applications

If your renewal application is successful, you will be notified in writing that the licence has been renewed.

As a licence holder, you will be expected to be familiar with the conditions and obligations associated with the licence – for more information, visit the Provider section.

Your licence will be included in the Register of Licensed Labour Hire Providers. This Register records information about licence holders and the LHA’s decisions to grant, refuse, vary, suspend, or cancel a licence, or impose licence conditions.

Unsuccessful applications

If your renewal application for a licence is refused, you will be notified in writing of the decision and reasons for the decision. You can apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for review of the decision.

If you have any queries specific to your circumstances, you can email our Enquiries Team at enquiries@labourhireauthority.vic.gov.au or call on 1300 545 200.

• Licence renewal guide and checklist
• LHLO Portal
• Provider
• Licence fees and costs
• What is a Nominated Officer?