Milestone reached in new Labour Hire Licence scheme

100 applications received in response to the ACT’s labour hire licence scheme

Since the launch of the new labour hire licence scheme on 27 May 2021, 100 applications have now been received from providers acknowledging the importance of this scheme in the ACT.

The scheme requires labour hire providers to be licensed, promoting responsible conduct in the industry, and protecting workers engaged in labour hire arrangements across multiple industries.

Labour Hire Licence and Work Health and Safety Commissioner, Jacqueline Agius, sees this milestone as a positive step towards improving practices within the labour hire service industry.

“It is unacceptable that companies profit from exploiting workers. Individuals who are employed through a labour hire company are entitled to the same workplace protections as every other worker in the ACT.”

“I’m pleased to see such a strong uptake so early in this scheme, demonstrating that these companies are taking their obligations seriously. I encourage other providers to commence their applications as soon as possible so they’re not left behind.”

Details of licensed businesses are listed on our publicly available register, allowing ACT workers, businesses and the community to check a labour hire provider’s licence status prior to engaging with them.

Commissioner Agius says that newly licensed labour hire companies are setting a good example for others.

“This register identifies those organisations who are proactive and engaged in protecting their workers.”

Industry specific Q+A sessions will be scheduled shortly to provide further information to labour hire providers to ensure they are meeting their obligations.

Labour hire providers must ensure they have submitted their application well before 26 November 2021 to allow time for application processing requirements. Compliance enforcement action will commence on 27 November and anyone without a licence risks regulatory action.

Media contact

WorkSafe ACT Media and Communications Team
worksafe@worksafe.act.gov.au
(02) 6207 1505