October 15th, 2025Strengthening Victoria’s labour hire laws
The state government is strengthening Victoria’s labour hire laws to help stamp out the poor culture that has been exposed in the construction sector.
Minister for Industrial Relations Jaclyn Symes has introduced into the Victorian Parliament the Labour Hire Legislation Amendment (Licensing) Bill that will make changes to the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018 to help target criminal and unlawful conduct in the construction sector.
The new reforms progress the government’s response to the Wilson Review, with recommendations three to six being addressed in the legislation.
This will strengthen the powers of Victoria’s Labour Hire Authority to prevent those with links to criminal organisations from operating labour hire businesses. The amendments will also:
- Strengthen the test to determine who is a fit and proper person
- Introduce a new criminal offence of causing or threatening to cause detriment to a person who makes a complaint to Workforce Inspectorate Victoria (WIV)
- Better define the coverage of labour hire licensing, and
- Enable the Labour Hire Authority to publish more information about licensing decisions.
The government will further clarify applicability of the labour hire licensing scheme in the construction sector by amending the Labour Hire Licensing Regulations 2018, consistent with Recommendation 4 of the Wilson Review.
Victoria’s Labour Hire Authority has taken strong action against non-compliant labour hire providers, including in the construction sector.
In November 2024 the Supreme Court of Victoria issued a total of $759,674 in penalties to five companies and three company directors for their involvement in unlicensed labour hire operations in the construction industry.
The Authority has also cancelled 126 licenses and refused 44 license applications from businesses in the
construction industry.
These reforms will strengthen labour hire regulation for all sectors that utilise labour hire – helping workers and businesses in agriculture, security and beyond
