The Queensland Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 has been passed by the Queensland Parliament. Earlier this year, Ai Group made a detailed submission to a Parliamentary inquiry into the Bill, expressing strong opposition to the proposed legislation. Given the passage of the legislation through Parliament, Ai Group is now pressing for some highly problematic aspects of the scope of the legislation to be addressed through regulations.

Under the Act, businesses that supply labour will be required to hold a license and businesses that use labour supplied by another business will be required to only use a licensed provider. Licence holders will have very onerous reporting requirements to the regulator, including reporting every 6 months on the number of workers supplied, the employment arrangements, the locations where the work is performed, and the type of work performed.

The Act includes very harsh penalties for breaches of the legislation by suppliers of labour and users of labour supplied by other businesses. Penalties of up to $365,700 for companies apply. The maximum penalty for individuals is $126,045 or imprisonment for up to three years.

If you would like more information about the legislative amendments, please contact Ai Group’s Workplace Advice Service on 1300 55 66 77.

If you would like assistance in structuring labour hire arrangements, please contact your local employment, workplace and industrial lawyer in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Melbourne or Brisbane or email Ai Group Workplace Lawyers at info@aigroupworkplacelawyers.com.au.