Victorian Labour Hire Licensing Update

2019 was a busy year and saw many companies submit their labour hire licensing applications! The Victorian Authority has reported that they received 3,841 applications in total! Certex was proud to be able to lend a hand and guide a number of companies through the application process. Now, 2020 brings the next exciting step in this process.

The labour hire authority’s compliance and enforcement officers have started to visit hire providers and hosts in Victoria. These visits have involved providing information and monitoring compliance with the licensing scheme.

These inspectors are tasked with monitoring and enforcing compliance with the licensing scheme’s Act and regulations. They are granted powers to (where reasonable grounds):

• enter and search premises

• examine and seize anything suspected of being connected with a possible contravention

• inspect, copy or take extracts from documents on the premises and make images or recordings

• seek the assistance of other persons

• where necessary apply to the Magistrates' Court for a search warrant.

This serves as a timely reminder that organisations can't simply rest on their laurels now that they have submitted their applications, it's as important as ever that they keep meeting their obligations under the scheme!

The Authority has also recognised those who submitted their applications between the 30th of October 2019 and the 31st of December 2019 (outside of the six-month transition period). Where there is no evidence of non-compliance, enforcement action won't be taken against those who submitted their applications by the end of 2019 for operating without a licence.