Apply now! - Laws expanded to all labour hire providers require licensing by 29 July 2026. Allow 6 weeks. More info.
Changes to South Australia’s labour hire licensing laws will help improve protections for workers.
From 29 January 2026 all labour hire firms and workers are covered by the same laws and regulations - subject to a 6-month transition period.
Previously, labour hire providers were required to be licensed in 5 sectors: horticulture processing, meat processing, seafood processing, cleaning and trolley collection. State Government amendments to the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) largely reverts the Act to its original form - which required all labour hire providers be licensed.
SA’s labour hire licensing laws set minimum standards for labour hire providers with the aim of protecting workers from being exploited. Extending the law to cover all labour hire firms helps ensure that labour hire providers operate under the same scheme, while keeping administrative burdens to a minimum.
What you need to know
All labour hire providers - except those in industries that required licensing in the lead up to 29 January 2026 - have a 6-month grace period until 29 July 2026 to undertake requirements and become licensed by CBS.
Key requirements
- Provider responsibilities: Labour hire providers must adhere to strict standards or face penalties.
- Licensing is mandatory: Any business providing labour hire services in South Australia must hold a valid licence before operating.
- Host responsibilities: Host businesses must ensure the provider is licensed or risk penalties for using unlicensed providers.
- Worker protections: Identifiable licensees help SA and Commonwealth laws and authorities protect workers from exploitation. It supports fair pay and conditions, even when on-hired.
See more for:
- Labour hire providers and getting a licence (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site)
- Labour hire users (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site)
- Workers (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site)
- Report a problem (external site) (external site) (external site) – labour hire licensing
Frequently asked questions
From 29 January 2026, South Australia’s labour hire licensing laws have been extended to labour hire firms and workers across all industries.
Providers in the newly added industries have until 29 July 2026 to undertake the necessary requirements and become licensed.
Further information is available on the South Australian Government website. (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site)
The following information is a general guide only. It does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for the legislation (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site).
Details for labour hire providers can be found on the South Australian Government website (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site).
All labour hire providers - except those in industries that required licensing in the lead up to 29 January 2026 have a 6-month grace period until 29 July 2026 to undertake requirements and become licensed by CBS.
Note: This grace period does not apply to providers licensed before 29 January 2026. They must remain licensed.
Those providing workers in the horticulture, meat or seafood processing industries as well as cleaning and trolley collection.
CBS recommends you allow at least 6 weeks for your application process ahead of the 29 July 2026 deadline - in addition to the time it takes to meet the additional licensing criteria. See more at Apply for a labour hire licence (external site)
Licensing criteria for labour hire providers:
- police check (directors and responsible persons)
- written confirmation of solvency from a chartered accountant, certified practicing accountant or IPA public accountant
- meet fit and proper requirements for those responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of labour hire business
- meet business knowledge and experience requirements, (this may require an online course from a listed training organisation).
A checklist of requirements can be seen at Apply for a labour hire licence (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site)
When you apply, CBS will check uploaded documents and ask for further information or provide a link for your payment (within 3 business days).
Applications appear on CBS’ objection register (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site). Government agencies, local councils or industrial associations can object to an application (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site)if they believe that the applicant, director or nominated responsible person is not fit and proper to hold a licence.
The objection must be in writing and lodged with CBS within 14 days of the licence application being published. CBS will notify the applicant of any objections and allow 14 days for a response.
If you provide workers in South Australia, you need to be licensed here.
Licences obtained elsewhere will be accepted as evidence of meeting knowledge requirements, but you still need to lodge a licence application and provide all relevant information to be assessed.
These amounts cover the application and annual fee.
| Application type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Individual application fee | $973 |
| Body corporate (business) application fee | $2,212.00 |
| Application to change a responsible person | $152.00 |
| Application to apply for substitute responsible person | $152.00 |
No. Previous licensees who surrendered their licences were given the opportunity to request a pro rata refund at the time.
There are significant penalties if a labour hire provider is operating unlicensed.
Entering into an avoidance arrangement with an unlicensed provider carries the same range of penalties.
Maximum penalty:
- individual - $140,000
- body corporate (business) - $400,000.
The legislation (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) lists all penalties that apply for providers and hosts.
Yes, the same maximum penalties apply for a host entering into an agreement with an unlicensed labour hire provider.
Check for licensed labour hire providers (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site)
If you are concerned a business (provider or host) are not complying with labour hire licensing laws you can make a report online (external site) .
. You will be asked to provide supporting documents that may help CBS investigate.
How to get help
CBS can investigate breaches of the labour hire licensing laws. For help with workers’ rights or to seek legal advice contact the following.
Fair Work Ombudsman (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) - The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) provides advice and enforces worker pay and rights.
SafeWork SA (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) - gives advice and checks that work health and safety standards are being met.
ReturnToWorkSA (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) - ReturnToWorkSA provides work injury insurance and regulates the South Australian Return to Work scheme.
Legal Services Commission (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) - provides free legal help (information, advice and representation) for South Australians, especially concerning pay and entitlements.
