New laws aimed at better protecting South Australian workers employed through labour hire companies have formally come into effect – significantly expanding the scope of the state’s labour hire licensing regime.

The South Australian Government is committed to strengthening our state’s labour hire licensing laws to ensure that all labour hire firms and workers are covered by the same laws and regulations.

Labour hire providers need to meet strict criteria such as passing police checks as well as fit and proper person requirements to be granted a licence.

This ensures that ethical labour hire providers can operate on an even playing field and that fly-by-night providers can’t take advantage of poor regulations and undermine the pay and security of local workers.

There are tough penalties of up to $140,000 for individuals and $400,000 for businesses who are hiring out workers without the appropriate licence.

While the laws came into effect in late January this year, businesses have had a six-month grace period to become licensed – with more than 600 businesses applying for a licence during the six-month window.

Businesses and workers can find out more about the scheme by visiting the Labour Hire page on SA.GOV.AU.