Victorian Minister for Industrial Relations, Jaclyn Symes, has today introduced the Labour Hire Legislation Amendment (Licensing) Bill to Parliament, saying it will help to target criminal and unlawful conduct in the construction sector.
“We have zero tolerance for any sort of illegal behaviour – there is no place for it on any work site,” said Ms Symes.
“Stronger labour hire laws will further support action we have already taken to stamp out criminal behaviour in the construction sector.
“A stronger Labour Hire Authority with a clear remit over the construction sector is an important part of the ongoing work to stamp out the rotten culture that has been exposed in the industry.”
The Minister said the new reforms progress the Government’s response to the WilsonReview, 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, said Minister Symes.
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.
It is also implementing the recommendations of the Wilson Review with the passage of the Wage Theft Amendment Act 2025 and establishing an alliance of law enforcement bodies.
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.
