These changes in the law were a direct response to the Report of the Queensland Finance and Administration Parliamentary Committee Inquiry, which detailed evidence of exploitation and mistreatment in the labour industry.
What you need to know
The Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 has now made it necessary for labour hire providers to apply for a license. This license is designed to ensure that continued awareness, monitoring and enforcement of labour-related misconduct in the labour industry remains consistent and ongoing. This license must be applied for 60 days after the initial introduction of the law on 16 April – during this time, once the license is applied for, relevant obligations and penalties related to the Act will not apply until a decision regarding the licence has been made.Key features of the Act
Along with the need for labour hire providers to obtain a license, the Labour Hire Licensing Act introduces several key means to curb exploitation in the labour market. They are as following:- Those normally engaging labour hire providers must only engage licensed labour providers.
- Labour hire licensees are required to satisfy a test to determine whether they are “fit and proper”. This is to guarantee that they are capable of providing labour hire services in compliance with relevant laws.
- Required financial viability of the labour hire business.
- Licensees must provide six monthly reports on labour hire and associated activities. This includes employee accommodation and compliance with relevant laws.
