The Andrews Labor Government today released draft regulations to support the new Labour Hire Scheme that will protect the wages and conditions of some of Victoria’s most vulnerable workers.

Minister for Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins called on those involved in the labour hire industry to provide their feedback on the draft regulations, which are now open for consultation.

The proposed regulations focus on workers at the highest risk, including horticulture, the meat industry and cleaning.

The draft regulations also propose license fees, infringement offences and penalties, with secondments and work placements to be excluded from the scheme.

The Labour Hire Licensing Bill 2017 passed the Victorian Parliament in June, protecting labour hire workers from being underpaid and exploited by labour hire businesses and hosts.

The scheme is in response to the Victorian Inquiry into the Labour Hire Industry and Insecure Work – a key election promise – which uncovered widespread abuse and exploitation of workers across Victoria.

Under the scheme, providers of labour hire services will be required to hold a licence and hosts will be required to only use licensed providers.

The draft regulations are accompanied by a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS), prepared by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. The RIS examines the economic and social impacts, costs and benefits of the proposed regulations.

More information about the public consultation process is available at economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins

“I urge all those involved in the industry to have their say on the draft regulation – the next step in the development of the new Labour Hire Authority.”

“Following the damning findings of the independent inquiry, we’ve taken action to clean up the industry and make things fair for labour hire workers across Victoria.”