We have compiled a quick update regarding the progress of labour hire licensing laws:
Victoria
The Labour Hire Licensing Bill 2017 (Vic) (Bill) was debated in Victoria’s upper house on Friday (see Hansard here). Some clauses of the Bill were agreed (including the definition of ‘labour hire services’). Minister Pulford (ALP) said certain arrangements will be:
- excluded by regulations (e.g. secondments, labour supplies among a group of entities carrying on business collectively, and the provision of directors or business owners in certain circumstances); or
- otherwise not covered by the scheme (e.g. the provision of professional or trade services to a third party, genuine subcontracting arrangements, and certain outsourcing arrangements).
The upper house will resume considering the Bill from 5 June 2018.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
A Parliamentary Committee Report was published recently in which the Committee recommended (among other things) that the ACT Government (i) advocate for a national labour hire licensing scheme and (ii) introduce an ACT-specific licensing scheme (acknowledging that the former may not happen soon). Two Liberal members issued a dissenting Report which did not recommend an ACT-specific scheme. We expect a Bill for an ACT-specific scheme will be introduced soon.
Queensland
The deadline for licence applications is less than three weeks way (i.e. 15 June 2018).
South Australia
The deadline for licence applications is 1 September 2018. The scope remains broad, but South Australia has granted an exemption from the obligation to hold a labour hire licence to persons licensed pursuant to:
- Section 6 of the Building Work Contractors Act 1995;
- Section 6 of the Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Act 1995; and
- Section 6 and 7A of the Security and Investigation Industry Act 1995 (excluding licensed security agents and licensed investigation agents subject to employee conditions).
This article was written by Adam Ray, Solicitor, Brisbane. If you have any questions or would like to discover more, please contact:
Disclaimer
The articles published on this website, current at the dates of publication set out above, are for reference purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action.