WorkSafe ACT issues 500 Labour Hire Licences under new scheme

Since the launch of the ACT Government’s Labour Hire Licence scheme on 27 May 2021, WorkSafe ACT has issued over 500 licences to labour hire providers.

The scheme was introduced to promote responsible conduct in the labour hire industry and protect workers engaged in labour hire arrangements across all ACT industries.

This Friday marks the end of the transitional period, with compliance and enforcement action due to commence on Saturday, 27 November. Labour hire providers without a licence risk swift regulatory action and a considerable fine.

Labour hire providers that have applied for a labour hire licence before midnight Friday, 26 November 2021, can continue to provide labour hire services while their application is being processed. Providing they are otherwise compliant with workplace laws, they will not be subject to compliance and enforcement actions until the outcome of their application is finalised.

Work Health and Safety Commissioner, Jacqueline Agius, sees this milestone as a positive step towards improving practices within the labour hire service industry. Commissioner Agius says that newly licensed labour hire companies are setting a good example for others.

“I’m pleased to see such a strong uptake in this scheme, demonstrating that these companies are taking their work health and safety obligations seriously. I strongly encourage other providers to complete their applications.”

“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."

“WorkSafe ACT will be taking strong compliance enforcement action to ensure providers who are not compliant are held accountable. Every worker deserves equal rights to a safe and healthy workplace.”

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.

The Labour Hire Register can be found here.

Media contact

WorkSafe ACT Media and Communications Team
worksafe@act.gov.au

Jackii Shepherd
0466 927 213