Do I need a labour hire licence in Australia?

It depends on your state. Only Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory run a general labour-hire licensing scheme (as at June 2026). If your business supplies workers to other businesses in one of those states, you are a labour-hire provider and you must hold a current licence under that state's Act before you supply workers. New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have no general labour-hire licensing scheme.

Which Australian states have a labour hire licensing scheme?

Four. Queensland (Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017, administered by Labour Hire Licensing Queensland), Victoria (Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018, Victorian Labour Hire Authority), South Australia (Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017, Consumer and Business Services), and the ACT (Labour Hire Licensing Act 2020, WorkSafe ACT). The South Australian scheme applies to all industries from 29 January 2026.

Can I use a labour hire provider that does not have a licence?

No, not in a scheme state. In Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT it is a separate offence for a host to enter into an arrangement with an unlicensed labour-hire provider. Before you engage a provider you must check that it holds a current licence on the public register kept by the state regulator.

Does New South Wales require a labour hire licence?

No. New South Wales has no general labour-hire licensing scheme as at June 2026, and neither do Western Australia, Tasmania or the Northern Territory. You do not need a general state labour-hire licence to supply or use labour hire in those states. Fair Work, work health and safety, and workers compensation obligations still apply to the workers.

Is a national labour hire licensing scheme coming?

A national labour-hire licensing framework has been under consultation, but it is not in force. Until any national scheme commences, labour-hire licensing remains a state-by-state requirement. A licence granted in one state does not cover you in another, so if you operate across borders you must check each state separately.

Do I Need a Labour Hire Licence? State Checker

Check whether your labour hire business or host needs a licence — the state schemes in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT.

Last verified: 21 June 2026

Labour-hire licensing is a state requirement, not work health and safety law. Schemes run only in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT. Providers must be licensed, and in those states it is a separate offence for a host to engage an unlicensed provider. This tool tells you what applies in your state.

Do I need a labour hire licence?

Choose your state and whether you supply or use labour hire. The tool tells you whether a licensing scheme applies, who the regulator is, and what you must do. This is general information about state labour-hire law — it is not work health and safety law and not legal advice.

1. Your state or territory

2. What is your role in the arrangement?

Select your role above to see whether a labour hire licence is required.

FairWork Mate AI

Is the figure right for you?

The advisor reads your payslip, contract or letter against the Fair Work Commission case library and cites the decision behind every answer.

Just need this week sorted? A 7-Day Pass is 50 questions over 7 days, no account. Get a 7-Day Pass — $14.99

Get pay and rights updates for your job

Free email updates when award rates, the minimum wage or workplace laws change.

Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.

Related Tools

Sham Contracting Checker Safety Hub →