This Act creates a mandatory licence for businesses that supply workers to other businesses, and makes it an offence to supply, advertise or engage unlicensed labour‑hire providers (s.7–11). Applicants pay prescribed fees and provide financial, compliance and officer details; the chief executive grants, conditions, suspends or cancels licences and keeps a public register (s.13, s.15–16, s.29, s.103). Licence‑holders face regular reporting, nominated‑officer duties and inspection/powers under Part 6 (s.31, s.33–36, pt.6).
Mechanically, the Act establishes a statutory licensing regime for persons who supply workers to other persons in the course of carrying on a business. The principal machinery is:
Definitions that set the scope of the scheme (provider, labour hire services, worker, supply) (see s 7-9). The Act applies to persons who, in the course of a business, supply a worker to another person to do work (s 7(1)); it also defines when a worker is "supplied" (s 9) and when an individual is a worker for a provider (s 8).
A requirement that a person must not provide labour hire services unless licensed (s 10(1)), and that people must not advertise they provide labour hire unless they hold a licence (s 10(2)).
Criminal and civil penalties for unlicensed provision, advertising, entering into arrangements with unlicensed providers, and for entering into arrangements designed to avoid the Act (ss 10-12). The maximum penalties for providing without a licence are expressed separately for individuals and corporations (s 10(1)).
An application, assessment and grant process administered by the chief executive, with prescribed application content and fees (ss 13-16). Licences are time‑limited (up to one year) (s 17) and may be renewed or restored subject to the chief executive being satisfied of fitness and financial viability (ss 18-21).
Fit and proper person and financial‑viability tests that the chief executive must be satisfied about before grant, renewal or restoration (ss 15, 27). The chief executive has broad discretion to consider matters such as criminal history, prior regulatory action, insolvency, corporate administration, disqualification under the Corporations Act and whether a person is under the control of a person considered not fit and proper (s 27).
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017.
140
pt.1
Preliminary
Preliminary
pt.1-div.1
Introduction
Introduction
sec.1
Short title
sec.1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 .
(sec.1-ssec) This Act may be cited as the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 .
sec.2
Commencement
sec.2 Commencement
This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.
sec.3
Main purposes of Act
sec.3 Main purposes of Act
The main purposes of this Act are to—
protect workers from exploitation by providers of labour hire services; and
promote the integrity of the labour hire industry.
The main purposes are to be primarily achieved by establishing a licensing scheme to regulate the provision of labour hire services.
(sec.3-ssec.1) The main purposes of this Act are to— protect workers from exploitation by providers of labour hire services; and promote the integrity of the labour hire industry.
(sec.3-ssec.2) The main purposes are to be primarily achieved by establishing a licensing scheme to regulate the provision of labour hire services.
(a) protect workers from exploitation by providers of labour hire services; and
(b) promote the integrity of the labour hire industry.
sec.4
Act binds all persons
sec.4 Act binds all persons
This Act binds all persons, including the State.
Nothing in this Act makes the State liable to be prosecuted for an offence.
(sec.4-ssec.1) This Act binds all persons, including the State.
(sec.4-ssec.2) Nothing in this Act makes the State liable to be prosecuted for an offence.
sec.5
Extraterritorial application of Act
sec.5 Extraterritorial application of Act
This Act applies—
inside Queensland; and
outside Queensland to the full extent of the extraterritorial legislative power of the Parliament.
(a) inside Queensland; and
(b) outside Queensland to the full extent of the extraterritorial legislative power of the Parliament.
pt.1-div.2
Interpretation
Interpretation
sec.6
Definitions
sec.6 Definitions
The dictionary in schedule 1 defines particular words used in this Act.
sec.7
Meaning of provider and labour hire services
sec.7 Meaning of provider and labour hire services
A person (a provider ) provides labour hire services if, in the course of carrying on a business, the person supplies, to another person, a worker to do work.
a contractor who supplies workers to a farmer or fruit grower to pick produce for the farmer or grower
a group training organisation or principal employer organisation under the Further Education and Training Act 2014 that supplies an apprentice or trainee to an employer
an employment agency who on-hires temporary administration staff to a business
Without limiting subsection (1) , a provider provides labour hire services regardless of—
whether or not the worker is an employee of the provider; and
whether or not a contract is entered into between the worker and the provider, or between the provider and the person to whom the worker is supplied; and
whether the worker is supplied by the provider to another person directly or indirectly through 1 or more agents or intermediaries; and
whether the work done by the worker is under the control of the provider, the person to whom the worker is supplied or another person.
However, a person does not provide labour hire services merely because—
the person is a private employment agent under the Private Employment Agents Act 2005 ; or
the person is a contractor who enters into a contract to carry out construction work within the meaning of the Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 , section 10 , and engages subcontractors to carry out the work; or
the person is, or is of a class of person, prescribed by regulation.
A regulation may prescribe a person, or a class of person, under subsection (3) (c) only if the supply of a worker by the person or class of person is not a dominant purpose of the business ordinarily carried on by the person or class of persons.
(sec.7-ssec.1) A person (a provider ) provides labour hire services if, in the course of carrying on a business, the person supplies, to another person, a worker to do work. a contractor who supplies workers to a farmer or fruit grower to pick produce for the farmer or grower a group training organisation or principal employer organisation under the Further Education and Training Act 2014 that supplies an apprentice or trainee to an employer an employment agency who on-hires temporary administration staff to a business
(sec.7-ssec.2) Without limiting subsection (1) , a provider provides labour hire services regardless of— whether or not the worker is an employee of the provider; and whether or not a contract is entered into between the worker and the provider, or between the provider and the person to whom the worker is supplied; and whether the worker is supplied by the provider to another person directly or indirectly through 1 or more agents or intermediaries; and whether the work done by the worker is under the control of the provider, the person to whom the worker is supplied or another person.
(sec.7-ssec.3) However, a person does not provide labour hire services merely because— the person is a private employment agent under the Private Employment Agents Act 2005 ; or the person is a contractor who enters into a contract to carry out construction work within the meaning of the Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 , section 10 , and engages subcontractors to carry out the work; or the person is, or is of a class of person, prescribed by regulation.
(sec.7-ssec.4) A regulation may prescribe a person, or a class of person, under subsection (3) (c) only if the supply of a worker by the person or class of person is not a dominant purpose of the business ordinarily carried on by the person or class of persons.
• a contractor who supplies workers to a farmer or fruit grower to pick produce for the farmer or grower
• a group training organisation or principal employer organisation under the Further Education and Training Act 2014 that supplies an apprentice or trainee to an employer
• an employment agency who on-hires temporary administration staff to a business
(a) whether or not the worker is an employee of the provider; and
(b) whether or not a contract is entered into between the worker and the provider, or between the provider and the person to whom the worker is supplied; and
(c) whether the worker is supplied by the provider to another person directly or indirectly through 1 or more agents or intermediaries; and
(d) whether the work done by the worker is under the control of the provider, the person to whom the worker is supplied or another person.
(a) the person is a private employment agent under the Private Employment Agents Act 2005 ; or
(b) the person is a contractor who enters into a contract to carry out construction work within the meaning of the Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 , section 10 , and engages subcontractors to carry out the work; or
(c) the person is, or is of a class of person, prescribed by regulation.
sec.8
Meaning of worker
sec.8 Meaning of worker
An individual is a worker for a provider if the individual enters into an arrangement with the provider under which—
the provider may supply, to another person, the individual to do work; and
the provider is obliged to pay the worker, in whole or part, for the work.
However, an individual is not a worker if the individual is, or is of a class of individual, prescribed by regulation.
To remove any doubt, it is declared that a worker includes an apprentice or trainee under a training contract entered into with a provider who is a group training organisation or principal employer organisation under the Further Education and Training Act 2014 .
(sec.8-ssec.1) An individual is a worker for a provider if the individual enters into an arrangement with the provider under which— the provider may supply, to another person, the individual to do work; and the provider is obliged to pay the worker, in whole or part, for the work.
(sec.8-ssec.2) However, an individual is not a worker if the individual is, or is of a class of individual, prescribed by regulation.
(sec.8-ssec.3) To remove any doubt, it is declared that a worker includes an apprentice or trainee under a training contract entered into with a provider who is a group training organisation or principal employer organisation under the Further Education and Training Act 2014 .
(a) the provider may supply, to another person, the individual to do work; and
(b) the provider is obliged to pay the worker, in whole or part, for the work.
sec.9
When a worker is supplied
sec.9 When a worker is supplied
For this Act, the supply of a worker to do work for a person happens when the worker first starts to do work for the person in relation to the supply.
pt.2
Prohibited conduct
Prohibited conduct
sec.10
Licence required to provide labour hire services
sec.10 Licence required to provide labour hire services
A person must not provide labour hire services unless the person is the holder of a licence.
Maximum penalty—
for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or
for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
A person must not advertise, or in any way hold out, that the person provides or is willing to provide labour hire services, unless the person is the holder of a licence.
Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
(sec.10-ssec.1) A person must not provide labour hire services unless the person is the holder of a licence. Maximum penalty— for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
(sec.10-ssec.2) A person must not advertise, or in any way hold out, that the person provides or is willing to provide labour hire services, unless the person is the holder of a licence. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
(a) for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or
(b) for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
sec.11
Person must not enter into arrangements with unlicensed providers
sec.11 Person must not enter into arrangements with unlicensed providers
A person must not, without a reasonable excuse, enter into an arrangement with a provider for the provision of labour hire services to the person, unless the provider is the holder of a licence.
Maximum penalty—
for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or
for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
It is a reasonable excuse for the person not to comply if, when the person entered into the arrangement, the provider was shown on the register as the holder of a licence.
(sec.11-ssec.1) A person must not, without a reasonable excuse, enter into an arrangement with a provider for the provision of labour hire services to the person, unless the provider is the holder of a licence. Maximum penalty— for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
(sec.11-ssec.2) It is a reasonable excuse for the person not to comply if, when the person entered into the arrangement, the provider was shown on the register as the holder of a licence.
(a) for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or
(b) for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
sec.12
Person must not enter into avoidance arrangements
sec.12 Person must not enter into avoidance arrangements
A person must not enter into an arrangement with another person (an avoidance arrangement ) for the supply of a worker if the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, the arrangement is designed to circumvent or avoid an obligation imposed by this Act, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
See also section 90 .
Maximum penalty—
for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or
for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
(sec.12-ssec) A person must not enter into an arrangement with another person (an avoidance arrangement ) for the supply of a worker if the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, the arrangement is designed to circumvent or avoid an obligation imposed by this Act, unless the person has a reasonable excuse. See also section 90 . Maximum penalty— for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
(a) for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or
(b) for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
pt.3
Licences
Licences
pt.3-div.1
Application and grant
Application and grant
sec.13
Application
sec.13 Application
Subject to section 14 , a person who carries on, or intends to carry on, a business may apply to the chief executive for a licence.
If a person carries on, or intends to carry on, a business with 1 or more other persons, the application must be made jointly by the person and each of the other persons.
The application must—
be in the approved form; and
state the following—
each applicant’s full name and contact details;
the business name, ABN and address of the business to which the application relates;
the full name and contact details of 1 or more individuals (each a proposed nominated officer ) who satisfy the requirements mentioned in section 33 (1) ;
if the applicant is a corporation—the name and ACN or ARBN of the corporation and the names of the directors or members of its governing body;
whether the applicant is providing, or intends to provide, accommodation or any other service to workers in connection with the provision of labour hire services;
meals, transport
whether, within 5 years before the application is made, any disciplinary action has been taken against the applicant by a regulatory body under a relevant law; and
be accompanied by—
the application fee prescribed by regulation; and
the information, prescribed by regulation, about whether the business to which the application relates is financially viable; and
the information, prescribed by regulation, about whether each applicant has, for the 5 years before the application is made, complied with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 , and is able to comply with those Acts; and
any other information, prescribed by regulation, the chief executive reasonably requires to decide whether each applicant and the persons mentioned in section 15 (a) are fit and proper persons to provide labour hire services.
If a regulation under section 33 (2) prescribes the number of nominated officers for a licence, the application must, for subsection (3) (b) (iii) , state the name and contact details of at least the prescribed number of proposed nominated officers.
(sec.13-ssec.1) Subject to section 14 , a person who carries on, or intends to carry on, a business may apply to the chief executive for a licence.
(sec.13-ssec.2) If a person carries on, or intends to carry on, a business with 1 or more other persons, the application must be made jointly by the person and each of the other persons.
(sec.13-ssec.3) The application must— be in the approved form; and state the following— each applicant’s full name and contact details; the business name, ABN and address of the business to which the application relates; the full name and contact details of 1 or more individuals (each a proposed nominated officer ) who satisfy the requirements mentioned in section 33 (1) ; if the applicant is a corporation—the name and ACN or ARBN of the corporation and the names of the directors or members of its governing body; whether the applicant is providing, or intends to provide, accommodation or any other service to workers in connection with the provision of labour hire services; meals, transport whether, within 5 years before the application is made, any disciplinary action has been taken against the applicant by a regulatory body under a relevant law; and be accompanied by— the application fee prescribed by regulation; and the information, prescribed by regulation, about whether the business to which the application relates is financially viable; and the information, prescribed by regulation, about whether each applicant has, for the 5 years before the application is made, complied with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 , and is able to comply with those Acts; and any other information, prescribed by regulation, the chief executive reasonably requires to decide whether each applicant and the persons mentioned in section 15 (a) are fit and proper persons to provide labour hire services.
(sec.13-ssec.4) If a regulation under section 33 (2) prescribes the number of nominated officers for a licence, the application must, for subsection (3) (b) (iii) , state the name and contact details of at least the prescribed number of proposed nominated officers.
(a) be in the approved form; and
(b) state the following— (i) each applicant’s full name and contact details; (ii) the business name, ABN and address of the business to which the application relates; (iii) the full name and contact details of 1 or more individuals (each a proposed nominated officer ) who satisfy the requirements mentioned in section 33 (1) ; (iv) if the applicant is a corporation—the name and ACN or ARBN of the corporation and the names of the directors or members of its governing body; (v) whether the applicant is providing, or intends to provide, accommodation or any other service to workers in connection with the provision of labour hire services; Example of other services— meals, transport (vi) whether, within 5 years before the application is made, any disciplinary action has been taken against the applicant by a regulatory body under a relevant law; and
(i) each applicant’s full name and contact details;
(ii) the business name, ABN and address of the business to which the application relates;
(iii) the full name and contact details of 1 or more individuals (each a proposed nominated officer ) who satisfy the requirements mentioned in section 33 (1) ;
(iv) if the applicant is a corporation—the name and ACN or ARBN of the corporation and the names of the directors or members of its governing body;
(v) whether the applicant is providing, or intends to provide, accommodation or any other service to workers in connection with the provision of labour hire services; Example of other services— meals, transport
(vi) whether, within 5 years before the application is made, any disciplinary action has been taken against the applicant by a regulatory body under a relevant law; and
(c) be accompanied by— (i) the application fee prescribed by regulation; and (ii) the information, prescribed by regulation, about whether the business to which the application relates is financially viable; and (iii) the information, prescribed by regulation, about whether each applicant has, for the 5 years before the application is made, complied with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 , and is able to comply with those Acts; and (iv) any other information, prescribed by regulation, the chief executive reasonably requires to decide whether each applicant and the persons mentioned in section 15 (a) are fit and proper persons to provide labour hire services.
(i) the application fee prescribed by regulation; and
(ii) the information, prescribed by regulation, about whether the business to which the application relates is financially viable; and
(iii) the information, prescribed by regulation, about whether each applicant has, for the 5 years before the application is made, complied with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 , and is able to comply with those Acts; and
(iv) any other information, prescribed by regulation, the chief executive reasonably requires to decide whether each applicant and the persons mentioned in section 15 (a) are fit and proper persons to provide labour hire services.
(i) each applicant’s full name and contact details;
(ii) the business name, ABN and address of the business to which the application relates;
(iii) the full name and contact details of 1 or more individuals (each a proposed nominated officer ) who satisfy the requirements mentioned in section 33 (1) ;
(iv) if the applicant is a corporation—the name and ACN or ARBN of the corporation and the names of the directors or members of its governing body;
(v) whether the applicant is providing, or intends to provide, accommodation or any other service to workers in connection with the provision of labour hire services; Example of other services— meals, transport
(vi) whether, within 5 years before the application is made, any disciplinary action has been taken against the applicant by a regulatory body under a relevant law; and
(i) the application fee prescribed by regulation; and
(ii) the information, prescribed by regulation, about whether the business to which the application relates is financially viable; and
(iii) the information, prescribed by regulation, about whether each applicant has, for the 5 years before the application is made, complied with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 , and is able to comply with those Acts; and
(iv) any other information, prescribed by regulation, the chief executive reasonably requires to decide whether each applicant and the persons mentioned in section 15 (a) are fit and proper persons to provide labour hire services.
sec.14
Persons who can not apply
sec.14 Persons who can not apply
A person who was the holder of a licence that has been cancelled can not apply for a licence for 2 years after the cancellation.
However, a corporation that was the holder of a licence that has been cancelled, and any related body corporate of the corporation, can not apply for a licence unless the chief executive is satisfied that, because of a genuine sale, the requirements mentioned in subsection (5) are satisfied for the corporation.
If a person applies for a licence and the chief executive decides to refuse to grant the licence, the person can not apply for another licence—
for 3 months after the day the chief executive gives the person the information notice about the decision; or
if the person applies for a review of or appeals the decision and the decision is confirmed—for 3 months after the day the decision is confirmed.
However, subsection (3) does not apply to a corporation if the chief executive is satisfied that, because of a genuine sale, the requirements mentioned in subsection (5) are satisfied for the corporation.
For subsections (2) and (4) , the requirements, in relation to the corporation’s cancelled licence or refused application, are that—
no person who was a shareholder of, or held a beneficial interest in, the corporation when the cancellation was made or the refused application was made, is a shareholder of, or holds a beneficial interest in, the corporation when the application mentioned in subsection (2) or (3) is made; and
no person who was in a position to control or influence the affairs of the corporation when the cancellation or refused application was made is in a position to control or influence the affairs of the corporation when the application mentioned in subsection (2) or (3) is made.
In this section—
related body corporate see the Corporations Act , section 9 .
(sec.14-ssec.1) A person who was the holder of a licence that has been cancelled can not apply for a licence for 2 years after the cancellation.
(sec.14-ssec.2) However, a corporation that was the holder of a licence that has been cancelled, and any related body corporate of the corporation, can not apply for a licence unless the chief executive is satisfied that, because of a genuine sale, the requirements mentioned in subsection (5) are satisfied for the corporation.
(sec.14-ssec.3) If a person applies for a licence and the chief executive decides to refuse to grant the licence, the person can not apply for another licence— for 3 months after the day the chief executive gives the person the information notice about the decision; or if the person applies for a review of or appeals the decision and the decision is confirmed—for 3 months after the day the decision is confirmed.
(sec.14-ssec.4) However, subsection (3) does not apply to a corporation if the chief executive is satisfied that, because of a genuine sale, the requirements mentioned in subsection (5) are satisfied for the corporation.
(sec.14-ssec.5) For subsections (2) and (4) , the requirements, in relation to the corporation’s cancelled licence or refused application, are that— no person who was a shareholder of, or held a beneficial interest in, the corporation when the cancellation was made or the refused application was made, is a shareholder of, or holds a beneficial interest in, the corporation when the application mentioned in subsection (2) or (3) is made; and no person who was in a position to control or influence the affairs of the corporation when the cancellation or refused application was made is in a position to control or influence the affairs of the corporation when the application mentioned in subsection (2) or (3) is made.
(sec.14-ssec.6) In this section— related body corporate see the Corporations Act , section 9 .
(a) for 3 months after the day the chief executive gives the person the information notice about the decision; or
(b) if the person applies for a review of or appeals the decision and the decision is confirmed—for 3 months after the day the decision is confirmed.
(a) no person who was a shareholder of, or held a beneficial interest in, the corporation when the cancellation was made or the refused application was made, is a shareholder of, or holds a beneficial interest in, the corporation when the application mentioned in subsection (2) or (3) is made; and
(b) no person who was in a position to control or influence the affairs of the corporation when the cancellation or refused application was made is in a position to control or influence the affairs of the corporation when the application mentioned in subsection (2) or (3) is made.
sec.15
Criteria for grant
sec.15 Criteria for grant
The chief executive may grant an application for a licence only if the chief executive is satisfied—
each of the following persons are fit and proper persons to provide labour hire services—
each applicant;
if a proposed nominated officer for the application is a person other than an applicant—the proposed nominated officer;
if an applicant is a corporation—the corporation and each person who is an executive officer of the corporation; and
the business to which the application relates is financially viable.
(sec.15-ssec) The chief executive may grant an application for a licence only if the chief executive is satisfied— each of the following persons are fit and proper persons to provide labour hire services— each applicant; if a proposed nominated officer for the application is a person other than an applicant—the proposed nominated officer; if an applicant is a corporation—the corporation and each person who is an executive officer of the corporation; and the business to which the application relates is financially viable.
(a) each of the following persons are fit and proper persons to provide labour hire services— (i) each applicant; (ii) if a proposed nominated officer for the application is a person other than an applicant—the proposed nominated officer; (iii) if an applicant is a corporation—the corporation and each person who is an executive officer of the corporation; and
(i) each applicant;
(ii) if a proposed nominated officer for the application is a person other than an applicant—the proposed nominated officer;
(iii) if an applicant is a corporation—the corporation and each person who is an executive officer of the corporation; and
(b) the business to which the application relates is financially viable.
(i) each applicant;
(ii) if a proposed nominated officer for the application is a person other than an applicant—the proposed nominated officer;
(iii) if an applicant is a corporation—the corporation and each person who is an executive officer of the corporation; and
sec.16
Decision on application
sec.16 Decision on application
After considering an application for a licence and any other information obtained in relation to the application, the chief executive may decide to—
grant the licence; or
refuse to grant the licence.
The chief executive may obtain information about an application for a licence under part 5 .
If the chief executive decides to grant the licence, the chief executive must give the applicant—
the licence; and
if the licence is subject to a condition under section 29 (1) —an information notice for the decision to impose the condition.
If the chief executive decides to refuse to grant the licence, the chief executive must give the applicant an information notice for the decision.
(sec.16-ssec.1) After considering an application for a licence and any other information obtained in relation to the application, the chief executive may decide to— grant the licence; or refuse to grant the licence. The chief executive may obtain information about an application for a licence under part 5 .
(sec.16-ssec.2) If the chief executive decides to grant the licence, the chief executive must give the applicant— the licence; and if the licence is subject to a condition under section 29 (1) —an information notice for the decision to impose the condition.
(sec.16-ssec.3) If the chief executive decides to refuse to grant the licence, the chief executive must give the applicant an information notice for the decision.
(a) grant the licence; or
(b) refuse to grant the licence.
(a) the licence; and
(b) if the licence is subject to a condition under section 29 (1) —an information notice for the decision to impose the condition.
sec.17
Term
sec.17 Term
A licence is granted for the term of up to 1 year stated in the licence.
A licence comes into force on the day stated in the licence.
A licence stops being in force if—
it is surrendered or cancelled; or
subject to section 18 (3) , it expires without being renewed.
(sec.17-ssec.1) A licence is granted for the term of up to 1 year stated in the licence.
(sec.17-ssec.2) A licence comes into force on the day stated in the licence.
(sec.17-ssec.3) A licence stops being in force if— it is surrendered or cancelled; or subject to section 18 (3) , it expires without being renewed.
(a) it is surrendered or cancelled; or
(b) subject to section 18 (3) , it expires without being renewed.
pt.3-div.2
Renewal and restoration
Renewal and restoration
sec.18
Applying for renewal
sec.18 Applying for renewal
A licensee may apply to the chief executive for the renewal of the licensee’s licence before the licence expires.
The application must—
be in the approved form; and
be accompanied by the renewal fee prescribed by regulation.
If an application is made for the renewal of a licence and the chief executive has not, before the licence expires, made a decision about whether to renew the licence, the licence is taken to continue in force until the day—
the chief executive decides the application; or
the licensee withdraws the application.
(sec.18-ssec.1) A licensee may apply to the chief executive for the renewal of the licensee’s licence before the licence expires.
(sec.18-ssec.2) The application must— be in the approved form; and be accompanied by the renewal fee prescribed by regulation.
(sec.18-ssec.3) If an application is made for the renewal of a licence and the chief executive has not, before the licence expires, made a decision about whether to renew the licence, the licence is taken to continue in force until the day— the chief executive decides the application; or the licensee withdraws the application.
(a) be in the approved form; and
(b) be accompanied by the renewal fee prescribed by regulation.
(a) the chief executive decides the application; or
(b) the licensee withdraws the application.
sec.19
Applying for restoration of expired licence
sec.19 Applying for restoration of expired licence
If a person’s licence expires, the person may apply for restoration of the licence.
The application must—
be in the approved form; and
be made within 28 days after the licence expires; and
be accompanied by the restoration fee prescribed by regulation.
If an application is made for restoration of a licence, the licence is taken to be in force from the time the licence expired until the day—
the chief executive decides the application; or
the applicant withdraws the application.
(sec.19-ssec.1) If a person’s licence expires, the person may apply for restoration of the licence.
(sec.19-ssec.2) The application must— be in the approved form; and be made within 28 days after the licence expires; and be accompanied by the restoration fee prescribed by regulation.
(sec.19-ssec.3) If an application is made for restoration of a licence, the licence is taken to be in force from the time the licence expired until the day— the chief executive decides the application; or the applicant withdraws the application.
(a) be in the approved form; and
(b) be made within 28 days after the licence expires; and
(c) be accompanied by the restoration fee prescribed by regulation.
(a) the chief executive decides the application; or
(b) the applicant withdraws the application.
sec.20
Decision on renewal or restoration
sec.20 Decision on renewal or restoration
After considering the application and any other information obtained in relation to the application, the chief executive may—
grant the renewal or restoration of the licence, with or without conditions; or
refuse to grant the renewal or restoration of the licence.
The chief executive may obtain information about an application for renewal or restoration of a licence under part 5 .
The chief executive may grant the renewal or restoration only if the chief executive is satisfied each of the following persons is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services—
each applicant;
if a nominated officer is a person other than an applicant—the nominated officer;
if an applicant is a corporation—the corporation and each person who is an executive officer of the corporation.
If the chief executive decides to refuse to grant the renewal or restoration, or grants the renewal or restoration with conditions under section 29 (1) , the chief executive must give the applicant an information notice for the decision.
(sec.20-ssec.1) After considering the application and any other information obtained in relation to the application, the chief executive may— grant the renewal or restoration of the licence, with or without conditions; or refuse to grant the renewal or restoration of the licence. The chief executive may obtain information about an application for renewal or restoration of a licence under part 5 .
(sec.20-ssec.2) The chief executive may grant the renewal or restoration only if the chief executive is satisfied each of the following persons is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services— each applicant; if a nominated officer is a person other than an applicant—the nominated officer; if an applicant is a corporation—the corporation and each person who is an executive officer of the corporation.
(sec.20-ssec.3) If the chief executive decides to refuse to grant the renewal or restoration, or grants the renewal or restoration with conditions under section 29 (1) , the chief executive must give the applicant an information notice for the decision.
(a) grant the renewal or restoration of the licence, with or without conditions; or
(b) refuse to grant the renewal or restoration of the licence.
(a) each applicant;
(b) if a nominated officer is a person other than an applicant—the nominated officer;
(c) if an applicant is a corporation—the corporation and each person who is an executive officer of the corporation.
sec.21
Term of renewed or restored licence
sec.21 Term of renewed or restored licence
A renewed licence is in force for the period of up to 1 year stated in the licence, starting on the day it would have expired if it were not renewed under this division.
A restored licence—
is taken to have been in force from the day after the licence would otherwise have expired; and
continues in force for the period of up to 1 year stated in the licence, starting on the day mentioned in paragraph (a) .
(sec.21-ssec.1) A renewed licence is in force for the period of up to 1 year stated in the licence, starting on the day it would have expired if it were not renewed under this division.
(sec.21-ssec.2) A restored licence— is taken to have been in force from the day after the licence would otherwise have expired; and continues in force for the period of up to 1 year stated in the licence, starting on the day mentioned in paragraph (a) .
(a) is taken to have been in force from the day after the licence would otherwise have expired; and
(b) continues in force for the period of up to 1 year stated in the licence, starting on the day mentioned in paragraph (a) .
pt.3-div.3
Suspension, cancellation and surrender
Suspension, cancellation and surrender
sec.22
Suspension
sec.22 Suspension
The chief executive may suspend a licence by giving the licensee an information notice for the suspension if the chief executive—
is satisfied the licensee has failed to comply with section 31 ; or
reasonably considers—
the licensee has given materially incorrect or misleading information in a report under section 31 ; or
the licence was obtained, renewed or restored because of materially incorrect or misleading information; or
the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened a condition of the licence; or
the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened or is contravening a relevant law; or
the licensee is no longer a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or
the business to which the licence relates is no longer financially viable.
The suspension—
takes effect on the day stated in the information notice; and
continues for the period of not more than 90 days stated in the information notice.
The day stated in the information notice under subsection (2) (a) must be after the notice is given to the licensee.
(sec.22-ssec.1) The chief executive may suspend a licence by giving the licensee an information notice for the suspension if the chief executive— is satisfied the licensee has failed to comply with section 31 ; or reasonably considers— the licensee has given materially incorrect or misleading information in a report under section 31 ; or the licence was obtained, renewed or restored because of materially incorrect or misleading information; or the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened a condition of the licence; or the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened or is contravening a relevant law; or the licensee is no longer a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or the business to which the licence relates is no longer financially viable.
(sec.22-ssec.2) The suspension— takes effect on the day stated in the information notice; and continues for the period of not more than 90 days stated in the information notice.
(sec.22-ssec.3) The day stated in the information notice under subsection (2) (a) must be after the notice is given to the licensee.
(a) is satisfied the licensee has failed to comply with section 31 ; or
(b) reasonably considers— (i) the licensee has given materially incorrect or misleading information in a report under section 31 ; or (ii) the licence was obtained, renewed or restored because of materially incorrect or misleading information; or (iii) the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened a condition of the licence; or (iv) the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened or is contravening a relevant law; or (v) the licensee is no longer a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or (vi) the business to which the licence relates is no longer financially viable.
(i) the licensee has given materially incorrect or misleading information in a report under section 31 ; or
(ii) the licence was obtained, renewed or restored because of materially incorrect or misleading information; or
(iii) the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened a condition of the licence; or
(iv) the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened or is contravening a relevant law; or
(v) the licensee is no longer a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or
(vi) the business to which the licence relates is no longer financially viable.
(i) the licensee has given materially incorrect or misleading information in a report under section 31 ; or
(ii) the licence was obtained, renewed or restored because of materially incorrect or misleading information; or
(iii) the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened a condition of the licence; or
(iv) the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened or is contravening a relevant law; or
(v) the licensee is no longer a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or
(vi) the business to which the licence relates is no longer financially viable.
(a) takes effect on the day stated in the information notice; and
(b) continues for the period of not more than 90 days stated in the information notice.
sec.23
Show cause notice before cancellation
sec.23 Show cause notice before cancellation
This section applies if the chief executive is proposing to cancel a licence under section 24 .
The chief executive must give the licensee a notice stating—
that the chief executive proposes to cancel the licensee’s licence; and
the reasons for the proposed cancellation; and
that the licensee may, within 14 days after the notice is given, give the chief executive a written response to the proposed cancellation.
The chief executive must consider the licensee’s response, if any, before deciding whether to cancel the licence.
(sec.23-ssec.1) This section applies if the chief executive is proposing to cancel a licence under section 24 .
(sec.23-ssec.2) The chief executive must give the licensee a notice stating— that the chief executive proposes to cancel the licensee’s licence; and the reasons for the proposed cancellation; and that the licensee may, within 14 days after the notice is given, give the chief executive a written response to the proposed cancellation.
(sec.23-ssec.3) The chief executive must consider the licensee’s response, if any, before deciding whether to cancel the licence.
(a) that the chief executive proposes to cancel the licensee’s licence; and
(b) the reasons for the proposed cancellation; and
(c) that the licensee may, within 14 days after the notice is given, give the chief executive a written response to the proposed cancellation.
sec.24
Cancellation
sec.24 Cancellation
After complying with section 23 , the chief executive may cancel the licensee’s licence by giving the licensee an information notice for the cancellation, if the chief executive is satisfied—
the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened a condition of the licence; or
the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened a relevant law, whether or not the licensee, employee or representative has been convicted of an offence for the contravention; or
the licensee is no longer a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or
if the licensee is an individual—the licensee is an insolvent under administration; or
if the licensee is a corporation—the licensee has been wound up or deregistered under the Corporations Act .
The cancellation takes effect on the day stated in the information notice.
s 24 amd 2023 No. 23 s 247 sch 1 s 2 (2)
(sec.24-ssec.1) After complying with section 23 , the chief executive may cancel the licensee’s licence by giving the licensee an information notice for the cancellation, if the chief executive is satisfied— the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened a condition of the licence; or the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened a relevant law, whether or not the licensee, employee or representative has been convicted of an offence for the contravention; or the licensee is no longer a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or if the licensee is an individual—the licensee is an insolvent under administration; or if the licensee is a corporation—the licensee has been wound up or deregistered under the Corporations Act .
(sec.24-ssec.2) The cancellation takes effect on the day stated in the information notice.
(a) the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened a condition of the licence; or
(b) the licensee, or an employee or representative of the licensee, has contravened a relevant law, whether or not the licensee, employee or representative has been convicted of an offence for the contravention; or
(c) the licensee is no longer a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or
(d) if the licensee is an individual—the licensee is an insolvent under administration; or
(e) if the licensee is a corporation—the licensee has been wound up or deregistered under the Corporations Act .
sec.25
Return of suspended or cancelled licence
sec.25 Return of suspended or cancelled licence
If the chief executive suspends or cancels a licensee’s licence, the licensee must return the licence to the chief executive within 14 days after receiving the information notice for the suspension or cancellation, unless the licensee has a reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.
If a licence returned to the chief executive is still current at the end of a period of suspension, the chief executive must return the licence to the licensee.
(sec.25-ssec.1) If the chief executive suspends or cancels a licensee’s licence, the licensee must return the licence to the chief executive within 14 days after receiving the information notice for the suspension or cancellation, unless the licensee has a reasonable excuse. Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.
(sec.25-ssec.2) If a licence returned to the chief executive is still current at the end of a period of suspension, the chief executive must return the licence to the licensee.
sec.26
Surrender
sec.26 Surrender
A licensee may surrender the licensee’s licence by giving the chief executive notice of the surrender and returning the licence.
A licence surrendered under this section stops having effect on the day it is surrendered.
(sec.26-ssec.1) A licensee may surrender the licensee’s licence by giving the chief executive notice of the surrender and returning the licence.
(sec.26-ssec.2) A licence surrendered under this section stops having effect on the day it is surrendered.
pt.3-div.4
Fit and proper persons
Fit and proper persons
sec.27
Fit and proper persons
sec.27 Fit and proper persons
In deciding whether a person is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services, the chief executive must have regard to the following matters—
the person’s character, including, for example, the person’s honesty, integrity and professionalism;
whether the person—
has a history of compliance with relevant laws; or
is able to demonstrate an ability to comply with relevant laws;
whether the person has previously held a licence that has been cancelled or suspended, or for which conditions have been imposed under section 29 (1) ;
whether the person has been convicted of an offence against a relevant law or another law that affects the person’s suitability to provide labour hire services;
if the person is an individual—whether the person has been an insolvent under administration;
whether a corporation has been placed into administration, receivership or liquidation while the person was an executive officer of the corporation;
whether the person has been disqualified from managing corporations under the Corporations Act ;
whether the person is under the control of, or substantially influenced by, another person whom the chief executive considers is not a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services.
The chief executive may also have regard to any other matter the chief executive considers relevant in deciding whether the person is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services.
If, at any time while a licence is in force, the chief executive decides the licensee is no longer a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services, the chief executive may take action to suspend or cancel the licence under division 3 .
s 27 amd 2023 No. 23 s 247 sch 1 s 2 (2)
(sec.27-ssec.1) In deciding whether a person is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services, the chief executive must have regard to the following matters— the person’s character, including, for example, the person’s honesty, integrity and professionalism; whether the person— has a history of compliance with relevant laws; or is able to demonstrate an ability to comply with relevant laws; whether the person has previously held a licence that has been cancelled or suspended, or for which conditions have been imposed under section 29 (1) ; whether the person has been convicted of an offence against a relevant law or another law that affects the person’s suitability to provide labour hire services; if the person is an individual—whether the person has been an insolvent under administration; whether a corporation has been placed into administration, receivership or liquidation while the person was an executive officer of the corporation; whether the person has been disqualified from managing corporations under the Corporations Act ; whether the person is under the control of, or substantially influenced by, another person whom the chief executive considers is not a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services.
(sec.27-ssec.2) The chief executive may also have regard to any other matter the chief executive considers relevant in deciding whether the person is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services. If, at any time while a licence is in force, the chief executive decides the licensee is no longer a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services, the chief executive may take action to suspend or cancel the licence under division 3 .
(a) the person’s character, including, for example, the person’s honesty, integrity and professionalism;
(b) whether the person— (i) has a history of compliance with relevant laws; or (ii) is able to demonstrate an ability to comply with relevant laws;
(i) has a history of compliance with relevant laws; or
(ii) is able to demonstrate an ability to comply with relevant laws;
(c) whether the person has previously held a licence that has been cancelled or suspended, or for which conditions have been imposed under section 29 (1) ;
(d) whether the person has been convicted of an offence against a relevant law or another law that affects the person’s suitability to provide labour hire services;
(e) if the person is an individual—whether the person has been an insolvent under administration;
(f) whether a corporation has been placed into administration, receivership or liquidation while the person was an executive officer of the corporation;
(g) whether the person has been disqualified from managing corporations under the Corporations Act ;
(h) whether the person is under the control of, or substantially influenced by, another person whom the chief executive considers is not a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services.
(i) has a history of compliance with relevant laws; or
(ii) is able to demonstrate an ability to comply with relevant laws;
pt.4
Obligations of licensees
Obligations of licensees
pt.4-div.1
Licence conditions
Licence conditions
sec.28
Condition—compliance with relevant laws
sec.28 Condition—compliance with relevant laws
It is a condition of a licence that the licensee must comply with all relevant laws applying to the licensee.
sec.29
Conditions may be imposed
sec.29 Conditions may be imposed
The chief executive may impose, vary or revoke conditions on a licence for the reasons, and in the circumstances, the chief executive considers appropriate.
Without limiting subsection (1) , a condition may—
require a licensee to hold insurance of a stated kind and in a stated amount; or
require a licensee to lodge with the chief executive a security that complies with stated requirements; or
require a licensee to give the chief executive stated information, or allow the chief executive to inspect the premises at which the licensee carries on business, at stated reasonable intervals.
The chief executive may—
impose a condition when the licence is granted by stating the condition on the licence; and
subject to section 30 , impose, vary or revoke conditions on a licence after it is granted by notice given to the licensee.
However, nothing in this section authorises the chief executive to impose a condition that is inconsistent with this Act.
(sec.29-ssec.1) The chief executive may impose, vary or revoke conditions on a licence for the reasons, and in the circumstances, the chief executive considers appropriate.
(sec.29-ssec.2) Without limiting subsection (1) , a condition may— require a licensee to hold insurance of a stated kind and in a stated amount; or require a licensee to lodge with the chief executive a security that complies with stated requirements; or require a licensee to give the chief executive stated information, or allow the chief executive to inspect the premises at which the licensee carries on business, at stated reasonable intervals.
(sec.29-ssec.3) The chief executive may— impose a condition when the licence is granted by stating the condition on the licence; and subject to section 30 , impose, vary or revoke conditions on a licence after it is granted by notice given to the licensee.
(sec.29-ssec.4) However, nothing in this section authorises the chief executive to impose a condition that is inconsistent with this Act.
(a) require a licensee to hold insurance of a stated kind and in a stated amount; or
(b) require a licensee to lodge with the chief executive a security that complies with stated requirements; or
(c) require a licensee to give the chief executive stated information, or allow the chief executive to inspect the premises at which the licensee carries on business, at stated reasonable intervals.
(a) impose a condition when the licence is granted by stating the condition on the licence; and
(b) subject to section 30 , impose, vary or revoke conditions on a licence after it is granted by notice given to the licensee.
sec.30
Show cause notice before imposing or varying a condition
sec.30 Show cause notice before imposing or varying a condition
Before imposing or varying a condition on a licence other than when it is granted, the chief executive must give the licensee a notice stating—
that the chief executive proposes to impose or vary the condition; and
the reasons for the proposed condition or variation; and
that the licensee may, within 14 days after the notice is given, give the chief executive a written response to the proposed condition or variation.
The chief executive must consider the licensee’s response, if any, before deciding whether to impose or vary the condition.
If the chief executive decides to impose or vary the condition, the chief executive must give the licensee an information notice for the decision.
(sec.30-ssec.1) Before imposing or varying a condition on a licence other than when it is granted, the chief executive must give the licensee a notice stating— that the chief executive proposes to impose or vary the condition; and the reasons for the proposed condition or variation; and that the licensee may, within 14 days after the notice is given, give the chief executive a written response to the proposed condition or variation.
(sec.30-ssec.2) The chief executive must consider the licensee’s response, if any, before deciding whether to impose or vary the condition.
(sec.30-ssec.3) If the chief executive decides to impose or vary the condition, the chief executive must give the licensee an information notice for the decision.
(a) that the chief executive proposes to impose or vary the condition; and
(b) the reasons for the proposed condition or variation; and
(c) that the licensee may, within 14 days after the notice is given, give the chief executive a written response to the proposed condition or variation.
pt.4-div.2
Reporting
Reporting
sec.31
Obligation to report to chief executive
sec.31 Obligation to report to chief executive
A licensee must give the chief executive a report that complies with this section within 28 days after a reporting period for the licensee ends.
Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
The report must include the following information—
the licensee’s full name and contact details;
the business name, ABN and address of the business that is the subject of the licence;
the full name and contact details of each of the nominated officers for the licence;
the number of workers (the relevant workers ), supplied by the licensee to another person, who do work for the other person during the reporting period;
a description of the arrangements entered into between the licensee and the relevant workers;
an employment relationship, including whether the relationship is casual or permanent, contractual arrangements, apprenticeship or traineeship arrangements
details of the type of work carried out by the relevant workers, including the industry in which the work was carried out;
the locations in Queensland where work was carried out by the relevant workers;
if the licensee provided accommodation to the relevant workers in connection with the provision of labour hire services—
the address of the accommodation; and
whether the relevant workers paid a fee for the accommodation; and
the number of relevant workers that used the accommodation;
if the licensee is aware that accommodation was provided by another person to the relevant workers, to the best of the licensee’s knowledge—
who provided the accommodation; and
the address of the accommodation; and
whether the relevant workers paid a fee for the accommodation; and
the number of relevant workers that used the accommodation;
whether any other services were provided to the relevant workers by the licensee or, to the best of the licensee’s knowledge, by a person to whom a relevant worker was supplied;
meals, transport
information about the licensee’s compliance with relevant laws for the reporting period;
disclosure of any disciplinary action or enforcement action taken, or started, against the licensee by a regulatory body under a relevant law during the reporting period;
to the best of the licensee’s knowledge, the number of notifiable incidents involving a relevant worker notified under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 , section 38 ;
to the best of the licensee’s knowledge, the number of applications for compensation made by a relevant worker under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 ;
any other matter prescribed by regulation under section 32 .
In this section—
reporting period , for a licensee, means—
the period of 6 months starting on the day the licensee’s licence is granted; and
the period of 6 months starting immediately after the day the reporting period for the previous report the licensee was required to give under this section ended.
(sec.31-ssec.1) A licensee must give the chief executive a report that complies with this section within 28 days after a reporting period for the licensee ends. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
(sec.31-ssec.2) The report must include the following information— the licensee’s full name and contact details; the business name, ABN and address of the business that is the subject of the licence; the full name and contact details of each of the nominated officers for the licence; the number of workers (the relevant workers ), supplied by the licensee to another person, who do work for the other person during the reporting period; a description of the arrangements entered into between the licensee and the relevant workers; an employment relationship, including whether the relationship is casual or permanent, contractual arrangements, apprenticeship or traineeship arrangements details of the type of work carried out by the relevant workers, including the industry in which the work was carried out; the locations in Queensland where work was carried out by the relevant workers; if the licensee provided accommodation to the relevant workers in connection with the provision of labour hire services— the address of the accommodation; and whether the relevant workers paid a fee for the accommodation; and the number of relevant workers that used the accommodation; if the licensee is aware that accommodation was provided by another person to the relevant workers, to the best of the licensee’s knowledge— who provided the accommodation; and the address of the accommodation; and whether the relevant workers paid a fee for the accommodation; and the number of relevant workers that used the accommodation; whether any other services were provided to the relevant workers by the licensee or, to the best of the licensee’s knowledge, by a person to whom a relevant worker was supplied; meals, transport information about the licensee’s compliance with relevant laws for the reporting period; disclosure of any disciplinary action or enforcement action taken, or started, against the licensee by a regulatory body under a relevant law during the reporting period; to the best of the licensee’s knowledge, the number of notifiable incidents involving a relevant worker notified under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 , section 38 ; to the best of the licensee’s knowledge, the number of applications for compensation made by a relevant worker under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 ; any other matter prescribed by regulation under section 32 .
(sec.31-ssec.3) In this section— reporting period , for a licensee, means— the period of 6 months starting on the day the licensee’s licence is granted; and the period of 6 months starting immediately after the day the reporting period for the previous report the licensee was required to give under this section ended.
(a) the licensee’s full name and contact details;
(b) the business name, ABN and address of the business that is the subject of the licence;
(c) the full name and contact details of each of the nominated officers for the licence;
(d) the number of workers (the relevant workers ), supplied by the licensee to another person, who do work for the other person during the reporting period;
(e) a description of the arrangements entered into between the licensee and the relevant workers; Examples of arrangements— an employment relationship, including whether the relationship is casual or permanent, contractual arrangements, apprenticeship or traineeship arrangements
(f) details of the type of work carried out by the relevant workers, including the industry in which the work was carried out;
(g) the locations in Queensland where work was carried out by the relevant workers;
(h) if the licensee provided accommodation to the relevant workers in connection with the provision of labour hire services— (i) the address of the accommodation; and (ii) whether the relevant workers paid a fee for the accommodation; and (iii) the number of relevant workers that used the accommodation;
(i) the address of the accommodation; and
(ii) whether the relevant workers paid a fee for the accommodation; and
(iii) the number of relevant workers that used the accommodation;
(i) if the licensee is aware that accommodation was provided by another person to the relevant workers, to the best of the licensee’s knowledge— (i) who provided the accommodation; and (ii) the address of the accommodation; and (iii) whether the relevant workers paid a fee for the accommodation; and (iv) the number of relevant workers that used the accommodation;
(i) who provided the accommodation; and
(ii) the address of the accommodation; and
(iii) whether the relevant workers paid a fee for the accommodation; and
(iv) the number of relevant workers that used the accommodation;
(j) whether any other services were provided to the relevant workers by the licensee or, to the best of the licensee’s knowledge, by a person to whom a relevant worker was supplied; Examples of other services— meals, transport
(k) information about the licensee’s compliance with relevant laws for the reporting period;
(l) disclosure of any disciplinary action or enforcement action taken, or started, against the licensee by a regulatory body under a relevant law during the reporting period;
(m) to the best of the licensee’s knowledge, the number of notifiable incidents involving a relevant worker notified under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 , section 38 ;
(n) to the best of the licensee’s knowledge, the number of applications for compensation made by a relevant worker under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 ;
(o) any other matter prescribed by regulation under section 32 .
(i) the address of the accommodation; and
(ii) whether the relevant workers paid a fee for the accommodation; and
(iii) the number of relevant workers that used the accommodation;
(i) who provided the accommodation; and
(ii) the address of the accommodation; and
(iii) whether the relevant workers paid a fee for the accommodation; and
(iv) the number of relevant workers that used the accommodation;
(a) the period of 6 months starting on the day the licensee’s licence is granted; and
(b) the period of 6 months starting immediately after the day the reporting period for the previous report the licensee was required to give under this section ended.
sec.32
Prescribed matters for reports
sec.32 Prescribed matters for reports
A regulation may prescribe the following matters in relation to a report under section 31 —
the details about a matter mentioned in section 31 (2) that must be included in the report;
the number of workers the licensee has supplied who are of a non-English speaking background
the number of workers the licensee has supplied who hold particular types of visas under the Migration Act 1958 (Cwlth)
the information required about the licensee’s compliance with a relevant law
how information about the licensee’s compliance with relevant laws mentioned in section 31 (2) (k) is to be provided.
(a) the details about a matter mentioned in section 31 (2) that must be included in the report; Examples— • the number of workers the licensee has supplied who are of a non-English speaking background • the number of workers the licensee has supplied who hold particular types of visas under the Migration Act 1958 (Cwlth) • the information required about the licensee’s compliance with a relevant law
• the number of workers the licensee has supplied who are of a non-English speaking background
• the number of workers the licensee has supplied who hold particular types of visas under the Migration Act 1958 (Cwlth)
• the information required about the licensee’s compliance with a relevant law
(b) how information about the licensee’s compliance with relevant laws mentioned in section 31 (2) (k) is to be provided.
• the number of workers the licensee has supplied who are of a non-English speaking background
• the number of workers the licensee has supplied who hold particular types of visas under the Migration Act 1958 (Cwlth)
• the information required about the licensee’s compliance with a relevant law
pt.4-div.3
Nominated officers
Nominated officers
sec.33
Requirements for nominated officers
sec.33 Requirements for nominated officers
A nominated officer, for a licence, must be an individual who—
is responsible for the day-to-day carrying on, or takes part in the management, of the business to which the licence relates; and
satisfies any other requirements prescribed by regulation.
A regulation may prescribe the number of nominated officers required for a licence.
(sec.33-ssec.1) A nominated officer, for a licence, must be an individual who— is responsible for the day-to-day carrying on, or takes part in the management, of the business to which the licence relates; and satisfies any other requirements prescribed by regulation.
(sec.33-ssec.2) A regulation may prescribe the number of nominated officers required for a licence.
(a) is responsible for the day-to-day carrying on, or takes part in the management, of the business to which the licence relates; and
(b) satisfies any other requirements prescribed by regulation.
sec.34
Nominated officer must be reasonably available
sec.34 Nominated officer must be reasonably available
A licensee must ensure each of the nominated officers for the licence is reasonably available to be contacted by the chief executive or a member of the public during business hours.
Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.
(sec.34-ssec) A licensee must ensure each of the nominated officers for the licence is reasonably available to be contacted by the chief executive or a member of the public during business hours. Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.
sec.35
Application to change nominated officer
sec.35 Application to change nominated officer
A licensee may apply in the approved form to the chief executive to—
remove a nominated officer for the licensee’s licence from office; and
appoint another individual (the proposed appointee ) as a nominated officer for the licence.
The application must be accompanied by enough information about the proposed appointee to enable the chief executive to decide whether the proposed appointee is—
a person who satisfies the requirements mentioned in section 33 (1) ; and
a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services.
The chief executive may approve the application only if the chief executive is satisfied the proposed appointee is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services.
If the chief executive approves the application, the chief executive must record the details of the change to the licensee’s nominated officer in the register.
If the chief executive refuses the application, the chief executive must give the licensee an information notice for the decision.
(sec.35-ssec.1) A licensee may apply in the approved form to the chief executive to— remove a nominated officer for the licensee’s licence from office; and appoint another individual (the proposed appointee ) as a nominated officer for the licence.
(sec.35-ssec.2) The application must be accompanied by enough information about the proposed appointee to enable the chief executive to decide whether the proposed appointee is— a person who satisfies the requirements mentioned in section 33 (1) ; and a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services.
(sec.35-ssec.3) The chief executive may approve the application only if the chief executive is satisfied the proposed appointee is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services.
(sec.35-ssec.4) If the chief executive approves the application, the chief executive must record the details of the change to the licensee’s nominated officer in the register.
(sec.35-ssec.5) If the chief executive refuses the application, the chief executive must give the licensee an information notice for the decision.
(a) remove a nominated officer for the licensee’s licence from office; and
(b) appoint another individual (the proposed appointee ) as a nominated officer for the licence.
(a) a person who satisfies the requirements mentioned in section 33 (1) ; and
(b) a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services.
sec.36
Licensee may substitute nominated officer for limited period
sec.36 Licensee may substitute nominated officer for limited period
A licensee may appoint an individual who satisfies the requirements mentioned in section 33 (1) as a substitute nominated officer for the licensee’s licence for a period of not more than 30 days if—
a nominated officer for the licence will be absent from the licensee’s business; and
the person consents to the appointment.
The licensee must ensure—
an appointment under subsection (1) and the person’s consent to the appointment are in writing and state the period of appointment; and
the appointment and consent are—
kept at the premises where the person will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the business; and
made available for immediate inspection by an inspector who asks to see them.
Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.
The appointed person is taken to be a nominated officer for the licence for the period of the appointment.
(sec.36-ssec.1) A licensee may appoint an individual who satisfies the requirements mentioned in section 33 (1) as a substitute nominated officer for the licensee’s licence for a period of not more than 30 days if— a nominated officer for the licence will be absent from the licensee’s business; and the person consents to the appointment.
(sec.36-ssec.2) The licensee must ensure— an appointment under subsection (1) and the person’s consent to the appointment are in writing and state the period of appointment; and the appointment and consent are— kept at the premises where the person will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the business; and made available for immediate inspection by an inspector who asks to see them. Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.
(sec.36-ssec.3) The appointed person is taken to be a nominated officer for the licence for the period of the appointment.
(a) a nominated officer for the licence will be absent from the licensee’s business; and
(b) the person consents to the appointment.
(a) an appointment under subsection (1) and the person’s consent to the appointment are in writing and state the period of appointment; and
(b) the appointment and consent are— (i) kept at the premises where the person will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the business; and (ii) made available for immediate inspection by an inspector who asks to see them.
(i) kept at the premises where the person will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the business; and
(ii) made available for immediate inspection by an inspector who asks to see them.
(i) kept at the premises where the person will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the business; and
(ii) made available for immediate inspection by an inspector who asks to see them.
sec.37
Licensee may apply to extend appointment of substitute nominated officer
sec.37 Licensee may apply to extend appointment of substitute nominated officer
If a nominated officer for a licence will be absent from the licensee’s business for a period of more than 30 days, the licensee must either—
apply, in the approved form, to the chief executive for the appointment or the extension of the appointment of a person as a substitute nominated officer; or
apply under section 35 to remove the absent nominated officer and appoint another individual as nominated officer for the licence.
For an application under subsection (1) (a) , section 35 (2) to (5) applies as if a reference in that section to an application were a reference to an application under subsection (1) .
(sec.37-ssec.1) If a nominated officer for a licence will be absent from the licensee’s business for a period of more than 30 days, the licensee must either— apply, in the approved form, to the chief executive for the appointment or the extension of the appointment of a person as a substitute nominated officer; or apply under section 35 to remove the absent nominated officer and appoint another individual as nominated officer for the licence.
(sec.37-ssec.2) For an application under subsection (1) (a) , section 35 (2) to (5) applies as if a reference in that section to an application were a reference to an application under subsection (1) .
(a) apply, in the approved form, to the chief executive for the appointment or the extension of the appointment of a person as a substitute nominated officer; or
(b) apply under section 35 to remove the absent nominated officer and appoint another individual as nominated officer for the licence.
pt.4-div.4
Other obligations
Other obligations
sec.38
Production of licence
sec.38 Production of licence
A licensee must, if asked by an inspector, worker or another person with whom the licensee is dealing, produce a copy of the licensee’s licence for inspection by the inspector, worker or other person.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
sec.39
Licensees must not transfer licence etc.
sec.39 Licensees must not transfer licence etc.
A licensee must not transfer, sell, dispose of, lend or hire out the licensee’s licence to another person.
Maximum penalty—200 penalty units or 1 years imprisonment.
sec.40
Licensees to notify chief executive of particular changes in circumstances
sec.40 Licensees to notify chief executive of particular changes in circumstances
A licensee must give the chief executive notice of a prescribed change in circumstances of the licensee within 14 days after the change.
Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
If the licensee is a corporation, the licensee must give the chief executive notice of a prescribed change in circumstances of an executive officer of the corporation within 14 days after becoming aware of the change.
Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
In this section—
prescribed change , in circumstances, means a change prescribed by regulation relating to—
a matter the chief executive must consider in deciding whether a person is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or
details about a licence shown on the register; or
for a licensee—accommodation for workers supplied to another person by the licensee.
(sec.40-ssec.1) A licensee must give the chief executive notice of a prescribed change in circumstances of the licensee within 14 days after the change. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
(sec.40-ssec.2) If the licensee is a corporation, the licensee must give the chief executive notice of a prescribed change in circumstances of an executive officer of the corporation within 14 days after becoming aware of the change. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
(sec.40-ssec.3) In this section— prescribed change , in circumstances, means a change prescribed by regulation relating to— a matter the chief executive must consider in deciding whether a person is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or details about a licence shown on the register; or for a licensee—accommodation for workers supplied to another person by the licensee.
(a) a matter the chief executive must consider in deciding whether a person is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or
(b) details about a licence shown on the register; or
(c) for a licensee—accommodation for workers supplied to another person by the licensee.
pt.5
Obtaining information
Obtaining information
sec.41
Chief executive may require information about applications
sec.41 Chief executive may require information about applications
This section applies to each of the following—
an applicant for a licence;
an applicant for renewal or restoration of a licence.
The chief executive may, by notice given to the applicant, require the applicant to give the chief executive, within a stated reasonable period, information the chief executive reasonably requires to decide the application.
The applicant is taken to have withdrawn the application if, within the stated period, the applicant fails to comply with the requirement.
(sec.41-ssec.1) This section applies to each of the following— an applicant for a licence; an applicant for renewal or restoration of a licence.
(sec.41-ssec.2) The chief executive may, by notice given to the applicant, require the applicant to give the chief executive, within a stated reasonable period, information the chief executive reasonably requires to decide the application.
(sec.41-ssec.3) The applicant is taken to have withdrawn the application if, within the stated period, the applicant fails to comply with the requirement.
(a) an applicant for a licence;
(b) an applicant for renewal or restoration of a licence.
sec.42
Chief executive may enter applicants’ place of business for particular purposes
sec.42 Chief executive may enter applicants’ place of business for particular purposes
This section applies to the following—
an applicant for a licence;
an applicant for renewal or restoration of a licence.
Subject to subsection (3) , the chief executive may enter and inspect the applicant’s place of business for the purpose of ascertaining whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services.
The entry must be made—
at a time the applicant’s business is being carried on; or
with the consent of the applicant.
For this section, a place of business does not include a part of the place where a person resides.
(sec.42-ssec.1) This section applies to the following— an applicant for a licence; an applicant for renewal or restoration of a licence.
(sec.42-ssec.2) Subject to subsection (3) , the chief executive may enter and inspect the applicant’s place of business for the purpose of ascertaining whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services.
(sec.42-ssec.3) The entry must be made— at a time the applicant’s business is being carried on; or with the consent of the applicant.
(sec.42-ssec.4) For this section, a place of business does not include a part of the place where a person resides.
(a) an applicant for a licence;
(b) an applicant for renewal or restoration of a licence.
(a) at a time the applicant’s business is being carried on; or
(b) with the consent of the applicant.
sec.43
Chief executive may require licensees to give information
sec.43 Chief executive may require licensees to give information
The chief executive may, by notice given to a licensee, require the licensee to give the chief executive, within a reasonable period of at least 21 days stated in the notice, information the chief executive reasonably requires to decide whether—
the licensee is, or continues to be, a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or
the licensee’s business is financially viable.
The chief executive may, in the notice, require the licensee to verify the further information by statutory declaration.
The licensee must comply with the notice, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.
It is not a reasonable excuse for the licensee not to comply with the notice on the basis that complying with the notice might tend to incriminate the licensee or expose the licensee to a penalty.
See, however, section 101 .
The chief executive may—
give information obtained under this section to an auditor under section 104 (3) (d) ; and
ask the auditor to give the chief executive advice about a matter mentioned in subsection (1) (a) or (b) .
The chief executive may ask an auditor to provide advice about financial information given to the chief executive by a licensee.
(sec.43-ssec.1) The chief executive may, by notice given to a licensee, require the licensee to give the chief executive, within a reasonable period of at least 21 days stated in the notice, information the chief executive reasonably requires to decide whether— the licensee is, or continues to be, a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or the licensee’s business is financially viable.
(sec.43-ssec.2) The chief executive may, in the notice, require the licensee to verify the further information by statutory declaration.
(sec.43-ssec.3) The licensee must comply with the notice, unless the person has a reasonable excuse. Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.
(sec.43-ssec.4) It is not a reasonable excuse for the licensee not to comply with the notice on the basis that complying with the notice might tend to incriminate the licensee or expose the licensee to a penalty. See, however, section 101 .
(sec.43-ssec.5) The chief executive may— give information obtained under this section to an auditor under section 104 (3) (d) ; and ask the auditor to give the chief executive advice about a matter mentioned in subsection (1) (a) or (b) . The chief executive may ask an auditor to provide advice about financial information given to the chief executive by a licensee.
(a) the licensee is, or continues to be, a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or
(b) the licensee’s business is financially viable.
(a) give information obtained under this section to an auditor under section 104 (3) (d) ; and
(b) ask the auditor to give the chief executive advice about a matter mentioned in subsection (1) (a) or (b) .
sec.44
Inquiries about whether persons are fit and proper and financially viable
sec.44 Inquiries about whether persons are fit and proper and financially viable
The chief executive may make inquiries about a person for deciding—
if the person is an applicant or licensee—whether the person is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or
if the person is a licensee—whether the business to which the person’s licence relates is financially viable.
Without limiting subsection (1) , the chief executive may ask the commissioner to give the chief executive the following written information about the person—
a report about the person’s criminal history;
a brief description of the nature of the offence or alleged offence giving rise to a conviction or charge mentioned in the person’s criminal history.
The commissioner must comply with the request.
The commissioner’s obligation to comply with the request applies only to information in the commissioner’s possession or to which the commissioner has access.
In this section—
commissioner means the commissioner of the police service.
(sec.44-ssec.1) The chief executive may make inquiries about a person for deciding— if the person is an applicant or licensee—whether the person is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or if the person is a licensee—whether the business to which the person’s licence relates is financially viable.
(sec.44-ssec.2) Without limiting subsection (1) , the chief executive may ask the commissioner to give the chief executive the following written information about the person— a report about the person’s criminal history; a brief description of the nature of the offence or alleged offence giving rise to a conviction or charge mentioned in the person’s criminal history.
(sec.44-ssec.3) The commissioner must comply with the request.
(sec.44-ssec.4) The commissioner’s obligation to comply with the request applies only to information in the commissioner’s possession or to which the commissioner has access.
(sec.44-ssec.5) In this section— commissioner means the commissioner of the police service.
(a) if the person is an applicant or licensee—whether the person is a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services; or
(b) if the person is a licensee—whether the business to which the person’s licence relates is financially viable.
(a) a report about the person’s criminal history;
(b) a brief description of the nature of the offence or alleged offence giving rise to a conviction or charge mentioned in the person’s criminal history.
sec.45
Use of criminal history report and information
sec.45 Use of criminal history report and information
This section applies to the chief executive in considering information about a person obtained under section 44 .
The information may be used only for making a decision mentioned in section 44 (1) .
However, the chief executive may not rely on information about a charge mentioned in the person’s criminal history for making a decision—
to suspend a licence under section 22 ; or
about whether the person is, or continues to be, a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services.
(sec.45-ssec.1) This section applies to the chief executive in considering information about a person obtained under section 44 .
(sec.45-ssec.2) The information may be used only for making a decision mentioned in section 44 (1) .
(sec.45-ssec.3) However, the chief executive may not rely on information about a charge mentioned in the person’s criminal history for making a decision— to suspend a licence under section 22 ; or about whether the person is, or continues to be, a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services.
(a) to suspend a licence under section 22 ; or
(b) about whether the person is, or continues to be, a fit and proper person to provide labour hire services.
sec.46
Confidentiality of criminal history information
sec.46 Confidentiality of criminal history information
This section applies to a person who possesses a report or information given to the chief executive about a person that includes information about a person’s criminal history ( criminal history information ).
The person must not, directly or indirectly, disclose the criminal history information to any other person unless the disclosure is permitted under subsection (3) .
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
The person is permitted to disclose the criminal history information to another person—
to the extent necessary to perform the person’s functions under this Act; or
to the extent the disclosure is otherwise required or permitted by law; or
if the disclosure is in a form that does not identify the person to whom the information relates.
The chief executive must ensure a document containing criminal history information is destroyed as soon as practicable after it is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was given.
(sec.46-ssec.1) This section applies to a person who possesses a report or information given to the chief executive about a person that includes information about a person’s criminal history ( criminal history information ).
(sec.46-ssec.2) The person must not, directly or indirectly, disclose the criminal history information to any other person unless the disclosure is permitted under subsection (3) . Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
(sec.46-ssec.3) The person is permitted to disclose the criminal history information to another person— to the extent necessary to perform the person’s functions under this Act; or to the extent the disclosure is otherwise required or permitted by law; or if the disclosure is in a form that does not identify the person to whom the information relates.
(sec.46-ssec.4) The chief executive must ensure a document containing criminal history information is destroyed as soon as practicable after it is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was given.
(a) to the extent necessary to perform the person’s functions under this Act; or
(b) to the extent the disclosure is otherwise required or permitted by law; or
(c) if the disclosure is in a form that does not identify the person to whom the information relates.
pt.6
Monitoring and enforcement
Monitoring and enforcement
pt.6-div.1
Appointment of inspectors
Appointment of inspectors
sec.47
Functions
sec.47 Functions
An inspector’s functions are—
to monitor compliance with this Act; and
to investigate and, when necessary, take action to deal with alleged contraventions of this Act; and
to inform providers and workers of their rights and obligations under this Act.
(sec.47-ssec) An inspector’s functions are— to monitor compliance with this Act; and to investigate and, when necessary, take action to deal with alleged contraventions of this Act; and to inform providers and workers of their rights and obligations under this Act.
(a) to monitor compliance with this Act; and
(b) to investigate and, when necessary, take action to deal with alleged contraventions of this Act; and
(c) to inform providers and workers of their rights and obligations under this Act.
sec.48
Appointment
sec.48 Appointment
The chief executive may, by instrument, appoint an appropriately qualified public service employee as an inspector.
(sec.48-ssec) The chief executive may, by instrument, appoint an appropriately qualified public service employee as an inspector.
sec.49
Appointment conditions and limit on powers
sec.49 Appointment conditions and limit on powers
An inspector holds office on any conditions stated in—
the inspector’s instrument of appointment; or
a signed notice given to the inspector; or
a regulation.
The instrument of appointment, a signed notice given to the inspector or a regulation may limit the inspector’s powers.
In this section—
signed notice means a notice signed by the chief executive.
(sec.49-ssec.1) An inspector holds office on any conditions stated in— the inspector’s instrument of appointment; or a signed notice given to the inspector; or a regulation.
(sec.49-ssec.2) The instrument of appointment, a signed notice given to the inspector or a regulation may limit the inspector’s powers.
(sec.49-ssec.3) In this section— signed notice means a notice signed by the chief executive.
(a) the inspector’s instrument of appointment; or
(b) a signed notice given to the inspector; or
(c) a regulation.
sec.50
When office ends
sec.50 When office ends
The office of a person as an inspector ends if any of the following happens—
the term of office stated in a condition of office ends;
under another condition of office, the office ends;
the inspector’s resignation under section 51 takes effect.
Subsection (1) does not limit the ways the office of a person as an inspector ends.
In this section—
condition of office means a condition under which the inspector holds office.
(sec.50-ssec.1) The office of a person as an inspector ends if any of the following happens— the term of office stated in a condition of office ends; under another condition of office, the office ends; the inspector’s resignation under section 51 takes effect.
(sec.50-ssec.2) Subsection (1) does not limit the ways the office of a person as an inspector ends.
(sec.50-ssec.3) In this section— condition of office means a condition under which the inspector holds office.
(a) the term of office stated in a condition of office ends;
(b) under another condition of office, the office ends;
(c) the inspector’s resignation under section 51 takes effect.
sec.51
Resignation
sec.51 Resignation
An inspector may resign by signed notice given to the chief executive.
sec.52
Identity cards
sec.52 Identity cards
The chief executive must give each inspector an identity card.
The identity card must—
contain a recent photo of the inspector; and
contain a copy of the inspector’s signature; and
identify the person as an inspector under this Act; and
state an expiry date for the card.
This section does not prevent the chief executive from giving a single identity card to a person for this Act and other purposes.
(sec.52-ssec.1) The chief executive must give each inspector an identity card.
(sec.52-ssec.2) The identity card must— contain a recent photo of the inspector; and contain a copy of the inspector’s signature; and identify the person as an inspector under this Act; and state an expiry date for the card.
(sec.52-ssec.3) This section does not prevent the chief executive from giving a single identity card to a person for this Act and other purposes.
(a) contain a recent photo of the inspector; and
(b) contain a copy of the inspector’s signature; and
(c) identify the person as an inspector under this Act; and
(d) state an expiry date for the card.
sec.53
Production and display of identity card
sec.53 Production and display of identity card
In exercising a power under this part in relation to a person in the person’s presence, an inspector must—
produce the inspector’s identity card for the person’s inspection before exercising the power; or
have the identity card displayed so it is clearly visible to the person when exercising the power.
However, if it is not practicable to comply with subsection (1) , the inspector must produce the identity card for the person’s inspection at the first reasonable opportunity.
For subsection (1) , an inspector does not exercise a power in relation to a person only because the inspector has entered a place as mentioned in section 55 (1) (b) or (d) .
(sec.53-ssec.1) In exercising a power under this part in relation to a person in the person’s presence, an inspector must— produce the inspector’s identity card for the person’s inspection before exercising the power; or have the identity card displayed so it is clearly visible to the person when exercising the power.
(sec.53-ssec.2) However, if it is not practicable to comply with subsection (1) , the inspector must produce the identity card for the person’s inspection at the first reasonable opportunity.
(sec.53-ssec.3) For subsection (1) , an inspector does not exercise a power in relation to a person only because the inspector has entered a place as mentioned in section 55 (1) (b) or (d) .
(a) produce the inspector’s identity card for the person’s inspection before exercising the power; or
(b) have the identity card displayed so it is clearly visible to the person when exercising the power.
sec.54
Return of identity card
sec.54 Return of identity card
If the office of a person as an inspector ends, the person must return the identity card to the chief executive as soon as practicable after the office ends.
Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.
(sec.54-ssec) If the office of a person as an inspector ends, the person must return the identity card to the chief executive as soon as practicable after the office ends. Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.
pt.6-div.2
Powers of entry
Powers of entry
sec.55
General power to enter places
sec.55 General power to enter places
An inspector may enter a place if—
an occupier at the place consents under subdivision 2 to the entry, and section 59 has been complied with for the occupier; or
it is a public place and the entry is made when the place is open to the public; or
the entry is authorised under a warrant and, if there is an occupier of the place, section 66 has been complied with for the occupier; or
it is a workplace and, when the entry is made—
the workplace is open for carrying on business; or
work is being carried out at the workplace; or
the workplace is required to be open for inspection under a condition of a licence.
If the power to enter arose only because an occupier of the place consented to the entry, the power is subject to any conditions of the consent and ceases if the consent is withdrawn.
If the power to enter is under a warrant, the power is subject to the terms of the warrant.
An entry may be made under subsection (1) (d) with or without the consent of an occupier.
(sec.55-ssec.1) An inspector may enter a place if— an occupier at the place consents under subdivision 2 to the entry, and section 59 has been complied with for the occupier; or it is a public place and the entry is made when the place is open to the public; or the entry is authorised under a warrant and, if there is an occupier of the place, section 66 has been complied with for the occupier; or it is a workplace and, when the entry is made— the workplace is open for carrying on business; or work is being carried out at the workplace; or the workplace is required to be open for inspection under a condition of a licence.
(sec.55-ssec.2) If the power to enter arose only because an occupier of the place consented to the entry, the power is subject to any conditions of the consent and ceases if the consent is withdrawn.
(sec.55-ssec.3) If the power to enter is under a warrant, the power is subject to the terms of the warrant.
(sec.55-ssec.4) An entry may be made under subsection (1) (d) with or without the consent of an occupier.
(a) an occupier at the place consents under subdivision 2 to the entry, and section 59 has been complied with for the occupier; or
(b) it is a public place and the entry is made when the place is open to the public; or
(c) the entry is authorised under a warrant and, if there is an occupier of the place, section 66 has been complied with for the occupier; or
(d) it is a workplace and, when the entry is made— (i) the workplace is open for carrying on business; or (ii) work is being carried out at the workplace; or (iii) the workplace is required to be open for inspection under a condition of a licence.
(i) the workplace is open for carrying on business; or
(ii) work is being carried out at the workplace; or
(iii) the workplace is required to be open for inspection under a condition of a licence.
(i) the workplace is open for carrying on business; or
(ii) work is being carried out at the workplace; or
(iii) the workplace is required to be open for inspection under a condition of a licence.
sec.56
Limitation on entry powers
sec.56 Limitation on entry powers
Despite anything else in this division, the powers of an inspector under this division in relation to entering a place are not exercisable in relation to any part of a place where a person resides except—
with the consent of the occupier, if section 59 has been complied with for the occupier; or
under the authority of a warrant and, if there is an occupier of the place, section 66 has been complied with for the occupier; or
for the purpose only of gaining access to a place suspected to be a workplace, but only—
if the inspector reasonably believes that no reasonable alternative access is available; and
at a reasonable time having regard to the times at which the inspector believes work is being carried out at the place to which access is sought.
(a) with the consent of the occupier, if section 59 has been complied with for the occupier; or
(b) under the authority of a warrant and, if there is an occupier of the place, section 66 has been complied with for the occupier; or
(c) for the purpose only of gaining access to a place suspected to be a workplace, but only— (i) if the inspector reasonably believes that no reasonable alternative access is available; and (ii) at a reasonable time having regard to the times at which the inspector believes work is being carried out at the place to which access is sought.
(i) if the inspector reasonably believes that no reasonable alternative access is available; and
(ii) at a reasonable time having regard to the times at which the inspector believes work is being carried out at the place to which access is sought.
(i) if the inspector reasonably believes that no reasonable alternative access is available; and
(ii) at a reasonable time having regard to the times at which the inspector believes work is being carried out at the place to which access is sought.
sec.57
Application of subdivision
sec.57 Application of subdivision
This subdivision applies if an inspector intends to ask an occupier of a place to consent to the inspector entering the place under section 55 (1) (a) .
sec.58
Incidental entry to ask for access
sec.58 Incidental entry to ask for access
For the purpose of asking the occupier for the consent, an inspector may, without the occupier’s consent or a warrant—
enter land around premises at the place to an extent that is reasonable to contact the occupier; or
enter part of the place the inspector reasonably considers members of the public ordinarily are allowed to enter when they wish to contact an occupier of the place.
(sec.58-ssec) For the purpose of asking the occupier for the consent, an inspector may, without the occupier’s consent or a warrant— enter land around premises at the place to an extent that is reasonable to contact the occupier; or enter part of the place the inspector reasonably considers members of the public ordinarily are allowed to enter when they wish to contact an occupier of the place.
(a) enter land around premises at the place to an extent that is reasonable to contact the occupier; or
(b) enter part of the place the inspector reasonably considers members of the public ordinarily are allowed to enter when they wish to contact an occupier of the place.
sec.59
Matters inspector must tell occupier
sec.59 Matters inspector must tell occupier
Before asking for the consent, the inspector must give a reasonable explanation to the occupier—
about the purpose of the entry, including the powers intended to be exercised; and
that the occupier is not required to consent; and
that the consent may be given subject to conditions and may be withdrawn at any time.
(a) about the purpose of the entry, including the powers intended to be exercised; and
(b) that the occupier is not required to consent; and
(c) that the consent may be given subject to conditions and may be withdrawn at any time.
sec.60
Consent acknowledgement
sec.60 Consent acknowledgement
If the consent is given, the inspector may ask the occupier to sign an acknowledgement of the consent.
The acknowledgement must state—
the purpose of the entry, including the powers to be exercised; and
the following has been explained to the occupier—
the purpose of the entry, including the powers intended to be exercised;
that the occupier is not required to consent;
that the consent may be given subject to conditions and may be withdrawn at any time; and
the occupier gives the inspector or another inspector consent to enter the place and exercise the powers; and
the time and day the consent was given; and
any conditions of the consent.
If the occupier signs the acknowledgement, the inspector must immediately give a copy to the occupier.
Subsection (5) applies if—
an issue arises in a proceeding about whether the occupier consented to the entry; and
a signed acknowledgement complying with subsection (2) for the entry is not produced in evidence.
The onus of proof is on the person relying on the lawfulness of the entry to prove the occupier consented.
(sec.60-ssec.1) If the consent is given, the inspector may ask the occupier to sign an acknowledgement of the consent.
(sec.60-ssec.2) The acknowledgement must state— the purpose of the entry, including the powers to be exercised; and the following has been explained to the occupier— the purpose of the entry, including the powers intended to be exercised; that the occupier is not required to consent; that the consent may be given subject to conditions and may be withdrawn at any time; and the occupier gives the inspector or another inspector consent to enter the place and exercise the powers; and the time and day the consent was given; and any conditions of the consent.
(sec.60-ssec.3) If the occupier signs the acknowledgement, the inspector must immediately give a copy to the occupier.
(sec.60-ssec.4) Subsection (5) applies if— an issue arises in a proceeding about whether the occupier consented to the entry; and a signed acknowledgement complying with subsection (2) for the entry is not produced in evidence.
(sec.60-ssec.5) The onus of proof is on the person relying on the lawfulness of the entry to prove the occupier consented.
(a) the purpose of the entry, including the powers to be exercised; and
(b) the following has been explained to the occupier— (i) the purpose of the entry, including the powers intended to be exercised; (ii) that the occupier is not required to consent; (iii) that the consent may be given subject to conditions and may be withdrawn at any time; and
(i) the purpose of the entry, including the powers intended to be exercised;
(ii) that the occupier is not required to consent;
(iii) that the consent may be given subject to conditions and may be withdrawn at any time; and
(c) the occupier gives the inspector or another inspector consent to enter the place and exercise the powers; and
(d) the time and day the consent was given; and
(e) any conditions of the consent.
(i) the purpose of the entry, including the powers intended to be exercised;
(ii) that the occupier is not required to consent;
(iii) that the consent may be given subject to conditions and may be withdrawn at any time; and
(a) an issue arises in a proceeding about whether the occupier consented to the entry; and
(b) a signed acknowledgement complying with subsection (2) for the entry is not produced in evidence.
sec.61
Application for warrant
sec.61 Application for warrant
An inspector may apply to a magistrate for a warrant for a place.
The inspector must prepare a written application that states the grounds on which the warrant is sought.
The written application must be sworn.
The magistrate may refuse to consider the application until the inspector gives the magistrate all the information the magistrate requires about the application in the way the magistrate requires.
The magistrate may require additional information supporting the written application to be given by statutory declaration.
(sec.61-ssec.1) An inspector may apply to a magistrate for a warrant for a place.
(sec.61-ssec.2) The inspector must prepare a written application that states the grounds on which the warrant is sought.
(sec.61-ssec.3) The written application must be sworn.
(sec.61-ssec.4) The magistrate may refuse to consider the application until the inspector gives the magistrate all the information the magistrate requires about the application in the way the magistrate requires. The magistrate may require additional information supporting the written application to be given by statutory declaration.
sec.62
Issue of warrant
sec.62 Issue of warrant
The magistrate may issue the warrant for the place only if the magistrate is satisfied there are reasonable grounds for suspecting there is at the place, or will be at the place within the next 7 days, a particular thing or activity that may provide evidence of an offence against this Act.
The warrant must state—
the place to which the warrant applies; and
that a stated inspector or any inspector may with necessary and reasonable help and force—
enter the place and any other place necessary for entry to the place; and
exercise the inspector’s powers; and
particulars of the offence that the magistrate considers appropriate; and
the name of the person suspected of having committed the offence unless the name is unknown or the magistrate considers it inappropriate to state the name; and
the evidence that may be seized under the warrant; and
the hours of the day or night when the place may be entered; and
the magistrate’s name; and
the day and time of the warrant’s issue; and
the day, within 14 days after the warrant’s issue, the warrant ends.
(sec.62-ssec.1) The magistrate may issue the warrant for the place only if the magistrate is satisfied there are reasonable grounds for suspecting there is at the place, or will be at the place within the next 7 days, a particular thing or activity that may provide evidence of an offence against this Act.
(sec.62-ssec.2) The warrant must state— the place to which the warrant applies; and that a stated inspector or any inspector may with necessary and reasonable help and force— enter the place and any other place necessary for entry to the place; and exercise the inspector’s powers; and particulars of the offence that the magistrate considers appropriate; and the name of the person suspected of having committed the offence unless the name is unknown or the magistrate considers it inappropriate to state the name; and the evidence that may be seized under the warrant; and the hours of the day or night when the place may be entered; and the magistrate’s name; and the day and time of the warrant’s issue; and the day, within 14 days after the warrant’s issue, the warrant ends.
(a) the place to which the warrant applies; and
(b) that a stated inspector or any inspector may with necessary and reasonable help and force— (i) enter the place and any other place necessary for entry to the place; and (ii) exercise the inspector’s powers; and
(i) enter the place and any other place necessary for entry to the place; and
(ii) exercise the inspector’s powers; and
(c) particulars of the offence that the magistrate considers appropriate; and
(d) the name of the person suspected of having committed the offence unless the name is unknown or the magistrate considers it inappropriate to state the name; and
(e) the evidence that may be seized under the warrant; and
(f) the hours of the day or night when the place may be entered; and
(g) the magistrate’s name; and
(h) the day and time of the warrant’s issue; and
(i) the day, within 14 days after the warrant’s issue, the warrant ends.
(i) enter the place and any other place necessary for entry to the place; and
(ii) exercise the inspector’s powers; and
sec.63
Electronic application
sec.63 Electronic application
An application under section 61 may be made by phone, fax, email, radio, videoconferencing or another form of electronic communication if the inspector reasonably considers it necessary because of—
urgent circumstances; or
other special circumstances, including, for example, the inspector’s remote location.
The application—
may not be made before the inspector prepares the written application under section 61 (2) ; but
may be made before the written application is sworn.
(sec.63-ssec.1) An application under section 61 may be made by phone, fax, email, radio, videoconferencing or another form of electronic communication if the inspector reasonably considers it necessary because of— urgent circumstances; or other special circumstances, including, for example, the inspector’s remote location.
(sec.63-ssec.2) The application— may not be made before the inspector prepares the written application under section 61 (2) ; but may be made before the written application is sworn.
(a) urgent circumstances; or
(b) other special circumstances, including, for example, the inspector’s remote location.
(a) may not be made before the inspector prepares the written application under section 61 (2) ; but
(b) may be made before the written application is sworn.
sec.64
Additional procedure if electronic application
sec.64 Additional procedure if electronic application
For an application made under section 63 , the magistrate may issue the warrant (the original warrant ) only if the magistrate is satisfied—
it was necessary to make the application under section 63 ; and
the way the application was made under section 63 was appropriate.
After the magistrate issues the original warrant—
if there is a reasonably practicable way of immediately giving a copy of the warrant to the inspector, including, for example, by sending a copy by fax or email, the magistrate must immediately give the inspector a copy of the warrant; or
otherwise—
the magistrate must tell the inspector the information mentioned in section 62 (2) ; and
the inspector must complete a form of warrant, including by writing on it the information mentioned in section 62 (2) provided by the magistrate.
The copy of the warrant mentioned in subsection (2) (a) , or the form of warrant completed under subsection (2) (b) (in either case the duplicate warrant ), is a duplicate of, and as effectual as, the original warrant.
The inspector must, at the first reasonable opportunity, send to the magistrate—
the written application complying with section 61 (2) and (3) ; and
if the inspector completed a form of warrant under subsection (2) (b) , the completed form of warrant.
The magistrate must keep the original warrant and, on receiving the documents under subsection (4) —
attach the documents to the original warrant; and
give the original warrant and documents to the clerk of the court of the relevant magistrates court.
Subsection (7) applies if—
an issue arises in a proceeding about whether an exercise of a power was authorised by a warrant issued under this section; and
the original warrant is not produced in evidence.
Despite subsection (3) , the onus of proof is on the person relying on the lawfulness of the exercise of the power to prove a warrant authorised the exercise of the power.
This section does not limit section 61 .
In this section—
relevant magistrates court , in relation to a magistrate, means the Magistrates Court that the magistrate constitutes under the Magistrates Act 1991 .
(sec.64-ssec.1) For an application made under section 63 , the magistrate may issue the warrant (the original warrant ) only if the magistrate is satisfied— it was necessary to make the application under section 63 ; and the way the application was made under section 63 was appropriate.
(sec.64-ssec.2) After the magistrate issues the original warrant— if there is a reasonably practicable way of immediately giving a copy of the warrant to the inspector, including, for example, by sending a copy by fax or email, the magistrate must immediately give the inspector a copy of the warrant; or otherwise— the magistrate must tell the inspector the information mentioned in section 62 (2) ; and the inspector must complete a form of warrant, including by writing on it the information mentioned in section 62 (2) provided by the magistrate.
(sec.64-ssec.3) The copy of the warrant mentioned in subsection (2) (a) , or the form of warrant completed under subsection (2) (b) (in either case the duplicate warrant ), is a duplicate of, and as effectual as, the original warrant.
(sec.64-ssec.4) The inspector must, at the first reasonable opportunity, send to the magistrate— the written application complying with section 61 (2) and (3) ; and if the inspector completed a form of warrant under subsection (2) (b) , the completed form of warrant.
(sec.64-ssec.5) The magistrate must keep the original warrant and, on receiving the documents under subsection (4) — attach the documents to the original warrant; and give the original warrant and documents to the clerk of the court of the relevant magistrates court.
(sec.64-ssec.6) Subsection (7) applies if— an issue arises in a proceeding about whether an exercise of a power was authorised by a warrant issued under this section; and the original warrant is not produced in evidence.
(sec.64-ssec.7) Despite subsection (3) , the onus of proof is on the person relying on the lawfulness of the exercise of the power to prove a warrant authorised the exercise of the power.
(sec.64-ssec.8) This section does not limit section 61 .
(sec.64-ssec.9) In this section— relevant magistrates court , in relation to a magistrate, means the Magistrates Court that the magistrate constitutes under the Magistrates Act 1991 .
(a) it was necessary to make the application under section 63 ; and
(b) the way the application was made under section 63 was appropriate.
(a) if there is a reasonably practicable way of immediately giving a copy of the warrant to the inspector, including, for example, by sending a copy by fax or email, the magistrate must immediately give the inspector a copy of the warrant; or
(b) otherwise— (i) the magistrate must tell the inspector the information mentioned in section 62 (2) ; and (ii) the inspector must complete a form of warrant, including by writing on it the information mentioned in section 62 (2) provided by the magistrate.
(i) the magistrate must tell the inspector the information mentioned in section 62 (2) ; and
(ii) the inspector must complete a form of warrant, including by writing on it the information mentioned in section 62 (2) provided by the magistrate.
(i) the magistrate must tell the inspector the information mentioned in section 62 (2) ; and
(ii) the inspector must complete a form of warrant, including by writing on it the information mentioned in section 62 (2) provided by the magistrate.
(a) the written application complying with section 61 (2) and (3) ; and
(b) if the inspector completed a form of warrant under subsection (2) (b) , the completed form of warrant.
(a) attach the documents to the original warrant; and
(b) give the original warrant and documents to the clerk of the court of the relevant magistrates court.
(a) an issue arises in a proceeding about whether an exercise of a power was authorised by a warrant issued under this section; and
(b) the original warrant is not produced in evidence.
sec.65
Defect in relation to warrant
sec.65 Defect in relation to warrant
Unless a defect in a warrant affects the substance of the warrant in a material particular, the warrant is not invalidated by a defect in—
the warrant; or
compliance with this subdivision.
In this section—
warrant includes a duplicate warrant mentioned in section 64 .
(sec.65-ssec.1) Unless a defect in a warrant affects the substance of the warrant in a material particular, the warrant is not invalidated by a defect in— the warrant; or compliance with this subdivision.
(sec.65-ssec.2) In this section— warrant includes a duplicate warrant mentioned in section 64 .
(a) the warrant; or
(b) compliance with this subdivision.
sec.66
Entry procedure
sec.66 Entry procedure
This section applies if an inspector is intending to enter a place under a warrant issued under subdivision 3 .
Before entering the place, the inspector must do or make a reasonable attempt to do the following things—
identify himself or herself to a person who is an occupier of the place and is present by producing the inspector’s identity card or another document evidencing the inspector’s appointment;
give the person a copy of the warrant;
tell the person the inspector is permitted by the warrant to enter the place;
give the person an opportunity to allow the inspector immediate entry to the place without using force.
However, the inspector need not comply with subsection (2) if the inspector believes on reasonable grounds that entry to the place without consent is required to ensure the execution of the warrant is not frustrated.
In this section—
warrant includes a duplicate warrant mentioned in section 64 .
(sec.66-ssec.1) This section applies if an inspector is intending to enter a place under a warrant issued under subdivision 3 .
(sec.66-ssec.2) Before entering the place, the inspector must do or make a reasonable attempt to do the following things— identify himself or herself to a person who is an occupier of the place and is present by producing the inspector’s identity card or another document evidencing the inspector’s appointment; give the person a copy of the warrant; tell the person the inspector is permitted by the warrant to enter the place; give the person an opportunity to allow the inspector immediate entry to the place without using force.
(sec.66-ssec.3) However, the inspector need not comply with subsection (2) if the inspector believes on reasonable grounds that entry to the place without consent is required to ensure the execution of the warrant is not frustrated.
(sec.66-ssec.4) In this section— warrant includes a duplicate warrant mentioned in section 64 .
(a) identify himself or herself to a person who is an occupier of the place and is present by producing the inspector’s identity card or another document evidencing the inspector’s appointment;
(b) give the person a copy of the warrant;
(c) tell the person the inspector is permitted by the warrant to enter the place;
(d) give the person an opportunity to allow the inspector immediate entry to the place without using force.
pt.6-div.3
Powers after entering places
Powers after entering places
sec.67
Application of subdivision
sec.67 Application of subdivision
A power under this subdivision may be exercised if an inspector enters a place under section 55 (1) (a) , (c) or (d) .
However, if the inspector enters under section 55 (1) (a) or (c) , the powers under this subdivision are subject to any conditions of the consent or terms of the warrant.
(sec.67-ssec.1) A power under this subdivision may be exercised if an inspector enters a place under section 55 (1) (a) , (c) or (d) .
(sec.67-ssec.2) However, if the inspector enters under section 55 (1) (a) or (c) , the powers under this subdivision are subject to any conditions of the consent or terms of the warrant.
sec.68
General powers
sec.68 General powers
An inspector may do any of the following (each a general power )—
search any part of the place;
inspect, examine or film any part of the place or anything at the place;
take for examination a thing, or a sample of or from a thing, at the place;
place an identifying mark in or on anything at the place;
take an extract from, or copy, a document at the place, or take the document to another place to copy;
produce an image or writing at the place from an electronic document or, to the extent it is not practicable, take a thing containing an electronic document to another place to produce an image or writing;
take to, into or onto the place and use any person, equipment and materials the inspector reasonably requires for exercising the inspector’s powers under this subdivision;
remain at the place for the time necessary to achieve the purpose of the entry.
The inspector may take a necessary step to allow the exercise of a general power.
If the inspector takes a document from the place to copy it, the inspector must copy the document and return it to the place as soon as practicable.
If the inspector takes from the place an article or device reasonably capable of producing a document from an electronic document to produce the document, the inspector must produce the document and return the article or device to the place as soon as practicable.
In this section—
examine includes analyse, test, account, measure, weigh, grade, gauge and identify.
film includes photograph, videotape and record an image in another way.
inspect , a thing, includes open the thing and examine its contents.
(sec.68-ssec.1) An inspector may do any of the following (each a general power )— search any part of the place; inspect, examine or film any part of the place or anything at the place; take for examination a thing, or a sample of or from a thing, at the place; place an identifying mark in or on anything at the place; take an extract from, or copy, a document at the place, or take the document to another place to copy; produce an image or writing at the place from an electronic document or, to the extent it is not practicable, take a thing containing an electronic document to another place to produce an image or writing; take to, into or onto the place and use any person, equipment and materials the inspector reasonably requires for exercising the inspector’s powers under this subdivision; remain at the place for the time necessary to achieve the purpose of the entry.
(sec.68-ssec.2) The inspector may take a necessary step to allow the exercise of a general power.
(sec.68-ssec.3) If the inspector takes a document from the place to copy it, the inspector must copy the document and return it to the place as soon as practicable.
(sec.68-ssec.4) If the inspector takes from the place an article or device reasonably capable of producing a document from an electronic document to produce the document, the inspector must produce the document and return the article or device to the place as soon as practicable.
(sec.68-ssec.5) In this section— examine includes analyse, test, account, measure, weigh, grade, gauge and identify. film includes photograph, videotape and record an image in another way. inspect , a thing, includes open the thing and examine its contents.
(a) search any part of the place;
(b) inspect, examine or film any part of the place or anything at the place;
(c) take for examination a thing, or a sample of or from a thing, at the place;
(d) place an identifying mark in or on anything at the place;
(e) take an extract from, or copy, a document at the place, or take the document to another place to copy;
(f) produce an image or writing at the place from an electronic document or, to the extent it is not practicable, take a thing containing an electronic document to another place to produce an image or writing;
(g) take to, into or onto the place and use any person, equipment and materials the inspector reasonably requires for exercising the inspector’s powers under this subdivision;
(h) remain at the place for the time necessary to achieve the purpose of the entry.
sec.69
Power to require reasonable help
sec.69 Power to require reasonable help
The inspector may make a requirement (a help requirement ) of an occupier of the place or a person at the place to give the inspector reasonable help to exercise a general power, including, for example, to produce a document or to give information.
When making the help requirement, the inspector must warn the person that, without a reasonable excuse, it is an offence for the person not to comply with the requirement.
For an offence under section 89 , it is a reasonable excuse for an individual not to comply with a help requirement if complying might tend to incriminate the individual or expose the individual to a penalty.
It is an offence under section 89 to fail to comply with a requirement of an inspector without a reasonable excuse.
s 69 amd 2024 No. 40 s 18
(sec.69-ssec.1) The inspector may make a requirement (a help requirement ) of an occupier of the place or a person at the place to give the inspector reasonable help to exercise a general power, including, for example, to produce a document or to give information.
(sec.69-ssec.2) When making the help requirement, the inspector must warn the person that, without a reasonable excuse, it is an offence for the person not to comply with the requirement.
(sec.69-ssec.3) For an offence under section 89 , it is a reasonable excuse for an individual not to comply with a help requirement if complying might tend to incriminate the individual or expose the individual to a penalty. It is an offence under section 89 to fail to comply with a requirement of an inspector without a reasonable excuse.
sec.70
Power to require production of documents
sec.70 Power to require production of documents
An inspector may require a person to make available for inspection by an inspector, or to produce to the inspector for inspection, at a reasonable time and place nominated by the inspector, a document required to be kept by the person under this Act.
For an electronic document, compliance with the requirement requires the making available or production of a clear printed reproduction of the electronic document.
The inspector may keep the document to copy it.
The inspector must return the document to the person as soon as practicable after copying it.
For an offence under section 89 , it is not a reasonable excuse for an individual not to comply with a requirement under subsection (1) on the basis that complying with the requirement might tend to incriminate the person or expose the person to a penalty.
It is an offence under section 89 to fail to comply with a requirement of an inspector without a reasonable excuse. See, however, section 101 .
The inspector must inform the person, in a way that is reasonable in the circumstances, that—
the person must comply with the requirement to produce the document even though complying might tend to incriminate the person or expose the person to a penalty; and
under section 101 , there is a limited immunity against the future use of the document given in compliance with the requirement.
If the person does not comply with the requirement to produce the document when the inspector has not complied with subsection (6) , the person can not be convicted of an offence under section 89 for not complying with the requirement.
(sec.70-ssec.1) An inspector may require a person to make available for inspection by an inspector, or to produce to the inspector for inspection, at a reasonable time and place nominated by the inspector, a document required to be kept by the person under this Act.
(sec.70-ssec.2) For an electronic document, compliance with the requirement requires the making available or production of a clear printed reproduction of the electronic document.
(sec.70-ssec.3) The inspector may keep the document to copy it.
(sec.70-ssec.4) The inspector must return the document to the person as soon as practicable after copying it.
(sec.70-ssec.5) For an offence under section 89 , it is not a reasonable excuse for an individual not to comply with a requirement under subsection (1) on the basis that complying with the requirement might tend to incriminate the person or expose the person to a penalty. It is an offence under section 89 to fail to comply with a requirement of an inspector without a reasonable excuse. See, however, section 101 .
(sec.70-ssec.6) The inspector must inform the person, in a way that is reasonable in the circumstances, that— the person must comply with the requirement to produce the document even though complying might tend to incriminate the person or expose the person to a penalty; and under section 101 , there is a limited immunity against the future use of the document given in compliance with the requirement.
(sec.70-ssec.7) If the person does not comply with the requirement to produce the document when the inspector has not complied with subsection (6) , the person can not be convicted of an offence under section 89 for not complying with the requirement.
(a) the person must comply with the requirement to produce the document even though complying might tend to incriminate the person or expose the person to a penalty; and
(b) under section 101 , there is a limited immunity against the future use of the document given in compliance with the requirement.
sec.72
Seizing evidence at a place that may be entered without consent or warrant
sec.72 Seizing evidence at a place that may be entered without consent or warrant
An inspector who enters a place the inspector may enter under division 2 without the consent of an occupier of the place and without a warrant may seize a thing at the place if the inspector reasonably believes the thing is evidence of an offence against this Act.
sec.73
Seizing evidence at a place that may be entered only with consent or warrant
sec.73 Seizing evidence at a place that may be entered only with consent or warrant
This section applies if—
an inspector is authorised to enter a place only with the consent of an occupier of the place or a warrant; and
the inspector enters the place after obtaining the consent or under a warrant.
If the inspector enters the place with the occupier’s consent, the inspector may seize a thing at the place only if—
the inspector reasonably believes the thing is evidence of an offence against this Act; and
seizure of the thing is consistent with the purpose of entry as explained to the occupier when asking for the occupier’s consent.
If the inspector enters the place under a warrant, the inspector may seize the evidence for which the warrant was issued.
The inspector may also seize anything else at the place if the inspector reasonably believes—
the thing is evidence of an offence against this Act; and
the seizure is necessary to prevent the thing being hidden, lost or destroyed.
The inspector may also seize a thing at the place if the inspector reasonably believes it has just been used in committing an offence against this Act.
(sec.73-ssec.1) This section applies if— an inspector is authorised to enter a place only with the consent of an occupier of the place or a warrant; and the inspector enters the place after obtaining the consent or under a warrant.
(sec.73-ssec.2) If the inspector enters the place with the occupier’s consent, the inspector may seize a thing at the place only if— the inspector reasonably believes the thing is evidence of an offence against this Act; and seizure of the thing is consistent with the purpose of entry as explained to the occupier when asking for the occupier’s consent.
(sec.73-ssec.3) If the inspector enters the place under a warrant, the inspector may seize the evidence for which the warrant was issued.
(sec.73-ssec.4) The inspector may also seize anything else at the place if the inspector reasonably believes— the thing is evidence of an offence against this Act; and the seizure is necessary to prevent the thing being hidden, lost or destroyed.
(sec.73-ssec.5) The inspector may also seize a thing at the place if the inspector reasonably believes it has just been used in committing an offence against this Act.
(a) an inspector is authorised to enter a place only with the consent of an occupier of the place or a warrant; and
(b) the inspector enters the place after obtaining the consent or under a warrant.
(a) the inspector reasonably believes the thing is evidence of an offence against this Act; and
(b) seizure of the thing is consistent with the purpose of entry as explained to the occupier when asking for the occupier’s consent.
(a) the thing is evidence of an offence against this Act; and
(b) the seizure is necessary to prevent the thing being hidden, lost or destroyed.
sec.74
Seizure of property subject to security
sec.74 Seizure of property subject to security
An inspector may seize a thing, and exercise powers relating to the thing, despite a lien or other security over the thing claimed by another person.
However, the seizure does not affect the other person’s claim to the lien or other security against a person other than the inspector or a person acting for the inspector.
(sec.74-ssec.1) An inspector may seize a thing, and exercise powers relating to the thing, despite a lien or other security over the thing claimed by another person.
(sec.74-ssec.2) However, the seizure does not affect the other person’s claim to the lien or other security against a person other than the inspector or a person acting for the inspector.
sec.75
Power to secure seized things
sec.75 Power to secure seized things
Having seized a thing under this division, an inspector may—
leave the thing at the place where it was seized (the place of seizure ) but take reasonable action to restrict access to it; or
move the thing from the place of seizure.
For subsection (1) (a) , the inspector may, for example—
seal the thing, or the entrance to the place of seizure, and mark the thing or place to show access to the thing or place is restricted; or
for equipment—make it inoperable; or
make it inoperable by dismantling it or removing a component without which the equipment can not be used
require a person the inspector reasonably believes is in control of the place or thing to do an act mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) or anything else an inspector could do under subsection (1) (a) .
(sec.75-ssec.1) Having seized a thing under this division, an inspector may— leave the thing at the place where it was seized (the place of seizure ) but take reasonable action to restrict access to it; or move the thing from the place of seizure.
(sec.75-ssec.2) For subsection (1) (a) , the inspector may, for example— seal the thing, or the entrance to the place of seizure, and mark the thing or place to show access to the thing or place is restricted; or for equipment—make it inoperable; or make it inoperable by dismantling it or removing a component without which the equipment can not be used require a person the inspector reasonably believes is in control of the place or thing to do an act mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) or anything else an inspector could do under subsection (1) (a) .
(a) leave the thing at the place where it was seized (the place of seizure ) but take reasonable action to restrict access to it; or
(b) move the thing from the place of seizure.
(a) seal the thing, or the entrance to the place of seizure, and mark the thing or place to show access to the thing or place is restricted; or
(b) for equipment—make it inoperable; or Example— make it inoperable by dismantling it or removing a component without which the equipment can not be used
(c) require a person the inspector reasonably believes is in control of the place or thing to do an act mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) or anything else an inspector could do under subsection (1) (a) .
sec.76
Tampering with seized things
sec.76 Tampering with seized things
If access to a seized thing is restricted under section 75 , a person must not tamper with the thing or with anything used to restrict access to the thing without—
an inspector’s approval; or
a reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
If access to a place is restricted under section 75 , a person must not enter the place in contravention of the restriction or tamper with anything used to restrict access to the place without—
an inspector’s approval; or
a reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
(sec.76-ssec.1) If access to a seized thing is restricted under section 75 , a person must not tamper with the thing or with anything used to restrict access to the thing without— an inspector’s approval; or a reasonable excuse. Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
(sec.76-ssec.2) If access to a place is restricted under section 75 , a person must not enter the place in contravention of the restriction or tamper with anything used to restrict access to the place without— an inspector’s approval; or a reasonable excuse. Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
(a) an inspector’s approval; or
(b) a reasonable excuse.
(a) an inspector’s approval; or
(b) a reasonable excuse.
sec.77
Receipt and information notice for seized thing
sec.77 Receipt and information notice for seized thing
This section applies if an inspector seizes anything under this subdivision, unless—
the inspector reasonably believes there is no-one apparently in possession of the thing or it has been abandoned; or
because of the condition, nature and value of the thing it would be unreasonable to require the inspector to comply with this section.
The inspector must, as soon as practicable after seizing the thing, give an owner or person in control of the thing before it was seized—
a receipt for the thing that generally describes the thing and its condition; and
an information notice about the decision to seize it.
However, if an owner or person from whom the thing is seized is not present when it is seized, the receipt and information notice may be given by leaving them in a conspicuous position and in a reasonably secure way at the place at which the thing is seized.
The receipt and information notice may—
be given in the same document; and
relate to more than 1 seized thing.
The inspector may delay giving the receipt and information notice if the inspector reasonably suspects giving them may frustrate or otherwise hinder an investigation by the inspector under this division.
However, the delay may be only for as long as the inspector continues to have the reasonable suspicion and remains in the vicinity of the place at which the thing was seized to keep it under observation.
(sec.77-ssec.1) This section applies if an inspector seizes anything under this subdivision, unless— the inspector reasonably believes there is no-one apparently in possession of the thing or it has been abandoned; or because of the condition, nature and value of the thing it would be unreasonable to require the inspector to comply with this section.
(sec.77-ssec.2) The inspector must, as soon as practicable after seizing the thing, give an owner or person in control of the thing before it was seized— a receipt for the thing that generally describes the thing and its condition; and an information notice about the decision to seize it.
(sec.77-ssec.3) However, if an owner or person from whom the thing is seized is not present when it is seized, the receipt and information notice may be given by leaving them in a conspicuous position and in a reasonably secure way at the place at which the thing is seized.
(sec.77-ssec.4) The receipt and information notice may— be given in the same document; and relate to more than 1 seized thing.
(sec.77-ssec.5) The inspector may delay giving the receipt and information notice if the inspector reasonably suspects giving them may frustrate or otherwise hinder an investigation by the inspector under this division.
(sec.77-ssec.6) However, the delay may be only for as long as the inspector continues to have the reasonable suspicion and remains in the vicinity of the place at which the thing was seized to keep it under observation.
(a) the inspector reasonably believes there is no-one apparently in possession of the thing or it has been abandoned; or
(b) because of the condition, nature and value of the thing it would be unreasonable to require the inspector to comply with this section.
(a) a receipt for the thing that generally describes the thing and its condition; and
(b) an information notice about the decision to seize it.
(a) be given in the same document; and
(b) relate to more than 1 seized thing.
sec.78
Access to seized thing
sec.78 Access to seized thing
Until a seized thing is forfeited or returned, the inspector who seized the thing must allow an owner of the thing—
to inspect it at any reasonable time and from time to time; and
if it is a document—to copy it.
Subsection (1) does not apply if it is impracticable or would be unreasonable to allow the inspection or copying.
The inspection or copying must be allowed free of charge.
(sec.78-ssec.1) Until a seized thing is forfeited or returned, the inspector who seized the thing must allow an owner of the thing— to inspect it at any reasonable time and from time to time; and if it is a document—to copy it.
(sec.78-ssec.2) Subsection (1) does not apply if it is impracticable or would be unreasonable to allow the inspection or copying.
(sec.78-ssec.3) The inspection or copying must be allowed free of charge.
(a) to inspect it at any reasonable time and from time to time; and
(b) if it is a document—to copy it.
sec.79
Return of seized thing
sec.79 Return of seized thing
This section applies if a seized thing is not—
forfeited or dealt with under sections 80 to 83 ; or
subject to a disposal order under section 84 .
As soon as the chief executive stops being satisfied there are reasonable grounds for retaining the thing, the chief executive must return it to its owner.
If the thing is not returned to its owner within 3 months after it was seized, the owner may apply to the chief executive for its return.
Within 30 days after receiving the application, the chief executive must—
if the chief executive is satisfied there are reasonable grounds for retaining the thing and decides to retain it—give the owner written notice of the decision, including the grounds for retaining the thing; or
otherwise—return the thing to the owner.
For this section, there are reasonable grounds for retaining a seized thing if—
the thing is being, or is likely to be, examined; or
the thing is needed, or may be needed, for the purposes of—
a proceeding for an offence against this Act that is likely to be started or that has been started but not completed; or
an appeal from a decision in a proceeding for an offence against this Act; or
it is not lawful for the owner to possess the thing.
Subsection (5) does not limit the grounds that may be reasonable grounds for retaining the seized thing.
Nothing in this section affects a lien or other security over the seized thing.
In this section—
examine includes analyse, test, measure, weigh, grade, gauge and identify.
(sec.79-ssec.1) This section applies if a seized thing is not— forfeited or dealt with under sections 80 to 83 ; or subject to a disposal order under section 84 .
(sec.79-ssec.2) As soon as the chief executive stops being satisfied there are reasonable grounds for retaining the thing, the chief executive must return it to its owner.
(sec.79-ssec.3) If the thing is not returned to its owner within 3 months after it was seized, the owner may apply to the chief executive for its return.
(sec.79-ssec.4) Within 30 days after receiving the application, the chief executive must— if the chief executive is satisfied there are reasonable grounds for retaining the thing and decides to retain it—give the owner written notice of the decision, including the grounds for retaining the thing; or otherwise—return the thing to the owner.
(sec.79-ssec.5) For this section, there are reasonable grounds for retaining a seized thing if— the thing is being, or is likely to be, examined; or the thing is needed, or may be needed, for the purposes of— a proceeding for an offence against this Act that is likely to be started or that has been started but not completed; or an appeal from a decision in a proceeding for an offence against this Act; or it is not lawful for the owner to possess the thing.
(sec.79-ssec.6) Subsection (5) does not limit the grounds that may be reasonable grounds for retaining the seized thing.
(sec.79-ssec.7) Nothing in this section affects a lien or other security over the seized thing.
(sec.79-ssec.8) In this section— examine includes analyse, test, measure, weigh, grade, gauge and identify.
(a) forfeited or dealt with under sections 80 to 83 ; or
(b) subject to a disposal order under section 84 .
(a) if the chief executive is satisfied there are reasonable grounds for retaining the thing and decides to retain it—give the owner written notice of the decision, including the grounds for retaining the thing; or
(b) otherwise—return the thing to the owner.
(a) the thing is being, or is likely to be, examined; or
(b) the thing is needed, or may be needed, for the purposes of— (i) a proceeding for an offence against this Act that is likely to be started or that has been started but not completed; or (ii) an appeal from a decision in a proceeding for an offence against this Act; or
(i) a proceeding for an offence against this Act that is likely to be started or that has been started but not completed; or
(ii) an appeal from a decision in a proceeding for an offence against this Act; or
(c) it is not lawful for the owner to possess the thing.
(i) a proceeding for an offence against this Act that is likely to be started or that has been started but not completed; or
(ii) an appeal from a decision in a proceeding for an offence against this Act; or
More sections below
Source text: opening excerpt
Sourced from Queensland Legislation (legislation.qld.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
pt.1 Preliminary
Preliminary
pt.1-div.1 Introduction
Introduction
sec.1 Short title
sec.1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 .
(sec.1-ssec) This Act may be cited as the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 .
sec.2 Commencement
sec.2 Commencement
This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.
sec.3 Main purposes of Act
sec.3 Main purposes of Act
The main purposes of this Act are to—
protect workers from exploitation by providers of labour hire services; and
promote the integrity of the labour hire industry.
The main purposes are to be primarily achieved by establishing a licensing scheme to regulate the provision of labour hire services.
(sec.3-ssec.1) The main purposes of this Act are to— protect workers from exploitation by providers of labour hire services; and promote the integrity of the labour hire industry.
(sec.3-ssec.2) The main purposes are to be primarily achieved by establishing a licensing scheme to regulate the provision of labour hire services.
(a) protect workers from exploitation by providers of labour hire services; and
(b) promote the integrity of the labour hire industry.
sec.4 Act binds all persons
sec.4 Act binds all persons
This Act binds all persons, including the State.
Nothing in this Act makes the State liable to be prosecuted for an offence.
(sec.4-ssec.1) This Act binds all persons, including the State.
(sec.4-ssec.2) Nothing in this Act makes the State liable to be prosecuted for an offence.
sec.5 Extraterritorial application of Act
sec.5 Extraterritorial application of Act
This Act applies—
inside Queensland; and
outside Queensland to the full extent of the extraterritorial legislative power of the Parliament.
(a) inside Queensland; and
(b) outside Queensland to the full extent of the extraterritorial legislative power of the Parliament.
pt.1-div.2 Interpretation
Interpretation
sec.6 Definitions
sec.6 Definitions
The dictionary in schedule 1 defines particular words used in this Act.
sec.7 Meaning of provider and labour hire services
sec.7 Meaning of provider and labour hire services
A person (a provider ) provides labour hire services if, in the course of carrying on a business, the person supplies, to another person, a worker to do work.
a contractor who supplies workers to a farmer or fruit grower to pick produce for the farmer or grower
a group training organisation or principal employer organisation under the Further Education and Training Act 2014 that supplies an apprentice or trainee to an employer
an employment agency who on-hires temporary administration staff to a business
Without limiting subsection (1) , a provider provides labour hire services regardless of—
whether or not the worker is an employee of the provider; and
whether or not a contract is entered into between the worker and the provider, or between the provider and the person to whom the worker is supplied; and
whether the worker is supplied by the provider to another person directly or indirectly through 1 or more agents or intermediaries; and
whether the work done by the worker is under the control of the provider, the person to whom the worker is supplied or another person.
However, a person does not provide labour hire services merely because—
the person is a private employment agent under the Private Employment Agents Act 2005 ; or
the person is a contractor who enters into a contract to carry out construction work within the meaning of the Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 , section 10 , and engages subcontractors to carry out the work; or
the person is, or is of a class of person, prescribed by regulation.
A regulation may prescribe a person, or a class of person, under subsection (3) (c) only if the supply of a worker by the person or class of person is not a dominant purpose of the business ordinarily carried on by the person or class of persons.
(sec.7-ssec.1) A person (a provider ) provides labour hire services if, in the course of carrying on a business, the person supplies, to another person, a worker to do work. a contractor who supplies workers to a farmer or fruit grower to pick produce for the farmer or grower a group training organisation or principal employer organisation under the Further Education and Training Act 2014 that supplies an apprentice or trainee to an employer an employment agency who on-hires temporary administration staff to a business
(sec.7-ssec.2) Without limiting subsection (1) , a provider provides labour hire services regardless of— whether or not the worker is an employee of the provider; and whether or not a contract is entered into between the worker and the provider, or between the provider and the person to whom the worker is supplied; and whether the worker is supplied by the provider to another person directly or indirectly through 1 or more agents or intermediaries; and whether the work done by the worker is under the control of the provider, the person to whom the worker is supplied or another person.
(sec.7-ssec.3) However, a person does not provide labour hire services merely because— the person is a private employment agent under the Private Employment Agents Act 2005 ; or the person is a contractor who enters into a contract to carry out construction work within the meaning of the Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 , section 10 , and engages subcontractors to carry out the work; or the person is, or is of a class of person, prescribed by regulation.
(sec.7-ssec.4) A regulation may prescribe a person, or a class of person, under subsection (3) (c) only if the supply of a worker by the person or class of person is not a dominant purpose of the business ordinarily carried on by the person or class of persons.
Ongoing compliance obligations on licensees including a mandatory condition to comply with all relevant laws (s 28), periodic reports to the chief executive about workers supplied and related matters (s 31), nominated officer requirements and availability (ss 33-37), and notification obligations for prescribed changes in circumstances (s 40).
Administrative powers for the chief executive to impose, vary or revoke licence conditions (s 29), to suspend licences for up to 90 days (s 22), and to cancel licences after a show cause process (ss 23-24). Licensees must return suspended or cancelled licences (s 25) and may surrender licences (s 26).
A public register maintained by the chief executive containing specified particulars about each licence, to be published free of charge on the labour hire website (s 103). The chief executive may also publish certain information about applicants and former licensees (s 105).
Information‑gathering, inspection and enforcement apparatus: the chief executive may require information from applicants and licensees (ss 41, 43), appoint inspectors with identity cards and defined functions (ss 47-54), and inspectors have entry, search, seizure and preservation powers (ss 55-79). Inspectors can also require attendance or information where an offence is suspected (s 84A).
Protections and limits: evidential immunity for certain individuals who supply information or documents (other than documents required to be kept under the Act) to the chief executive or inspectors (s 101), confidentiality rules for criminal history information (s 46) and other confidential information (s 104), and a compensation mechanism for loss caused by the exercise (or purported exercise) of inspector powers (s 87).
Administrative review and appeal paths: review by the chief executive (ss 93-97) and further review under the QCAT Act for persons given a QCAT information notice (ss 96, 98).
Stated purposes of the Act are to protect workers from exploitation by providers of labour hire services and to promote the integrity of the labour hire industry, primarily by establishing a licensing scheme (s 3). The Act identifies particular enforcement tools (s 29 conditions, suspension s 22, cancellation s 24, prosecutions for offences ss 10-12, forfeiture and disposal s 80-84) and reporting and transparency tools (register s 103, publication s 105, periodic reporting s 31).
The legislative mechanics therefore create a gatekeeping function (licences), ongoing data collection and public disclosure (reports and register), and a regulatory enforcement apparatus (inspectors, seizure, suspension, cancellation, penalties). The chief executive controls entry to the market (grant/renew/conditions) and supervises compliance; inspectors exercise investigatory and enforcement powers under statutory authority.
Main concepts
Provider and labour hire services
A "provider" is a person who provides labour hire services, defined as supplying, in the course of carrying on a business, a worker to another person to do work (s 7(1)). The definition is fact‑based and does not depend on whether the worker is an employee of the provider, whether contracts exist between parties, whether intermediaries are used, or who controls the work (s 7(2)). The Act also lists examples (contractor supplying pickers, group training organisations, employment agencies on‑hiring administrative staff) (s 7(1) examples).
Worker and supply
An individual is a "worker" for a provider if there is an arrangement under which the provider may supply the individual to another person and the provider is obliged to pay the worker in whole or part for the work (s 8(1)). The Act declares that apprentices or trainees supplied by group training organisations are workers for these purposes (s 8(3)). Supply occurs when the worker first starts to perform the work for the person who received the supply (s 9).
Exclusions and regulation‑making
The Act contains express exclusions: a person is not a provider merely because they are a private employment agent under the Private Employment Agents Act 2005, a contractor subcontracting under a construction contract as defined in the Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 s 10, or a person of a class prescribed by regulation (s 7(3)). Regulations can only create such an exemption if the supply of a worker is not a dominant purpose of the business (s 7(4)).
Licensing
Licensing is central: providing labour hire services without a licence is an offence (s 10). Applications must be made in the approved form and include specified information (s 13). The chief executive may grant a licence only where certain persons are "fit and proper" and the business is financially viable (s 15). The "fit and proper" evaluation has a non‑exhaustive list of matters the chief executive must have regard to (s 27).
Nominated officers
Each licence must have nominated officer(s) who are individuals responsible for day to day management of the licensed business and meet any regulatory requirements (s 33). Nominated officers must be reasonably available for contact during business hours (s 34). Procedures exist for temporary substitution (s 36) and longer absences (s 37).
Reporting and transparency
Licensees must provide a report every six months (reporting period) with specified information including numbers of workers supplied, arrangements with workers, locations, types of work, accommodation provided, compliance with relevant laws and incidents or compensation applications known to the licensee (s 31). Regulations may prescribe additional matters to be included in reports such as visa categories or non‑English speaking background (s 32). The register contains detailed particulars and is publicly available (s 103).
Enforcement and investigatory powers
The chief executive can suspend, impose conditions, vary and revoke conditions on licences (ss 22, 29-30). Inspectors monitor compliance, investigate contraventions and inform providers and workers of rights and obligations (s 47). Inspectors are appointed by the chief executive and must carry identity cards (ss 48, 52-53). Entry, search and seizure powers are set out (ss 55-79), with warrants, consent rules, and procedures. Inspectors can require assistance, documents and attendance in specified circumstances (ss 69-70, 84A). There are penalties for obstruction and failure to comply (ss 88-89).
Interplay with other laws
The Act cross‑references other laws for compliance checks and reporting obligations: it requires applicants to supply information about compliance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (s 13(3)(c)), and reports must include notifiable incidents under the WHS Act (s 31). Fit and proper considerations reference Corporations Act remedies and disqualification (s 27).
Remedies and safeguards
Administrative remedies include show cause procedures before cancellation and before imposing conditions (ss 23, 30). There is a review regime (ss 93-97) and appeal rights via QCAT for certain persons (ss 96-98). Evidence and confidentiality protections are provided (ss 101, 104), and compensation may be ordered where loss results from inspector activity (s 87).
Terminology and thresholds are therefore crucial. Notable legal thresholds include the fit and proper person test (s 15, s 27), the financial viability requirement (s 15), the reporting period definition (s 31(3)), and the conditions under which the chief executive may suspend or cancel a licence (s 22, s 24). The Act creates relationships between providers, clients, workers, the chief executive, inspectors and courts/magistrates in concrete statutory roles.
Who it affects
The Act’s statutory subjects and affected parties, as expressed in the text, are:
Providers of labour hire services
Persons who, in the course of carrying on a business, supply workers to others are subject to the licensing requirement (s 7(1), s 10). This includes bodies corporate, sole traders and partnerships, unless a prescribed exclusion applies (s 7(3)-(4)). Providers seeking to operate must apply under s 13 and satisfy fit and proper and financial‑viability tests (ss 13, 15).
Workers supplied by providers
Individuals supplied under arrangements where the provider may supply the worker to another person and the provider is obliged to pay in whole or part are "workers" for the Act (s 8). Apprentices and trainees supplied by group training organisations are expressly included (s 8(3)). Workers receive protections indirectly via licensing and reporting obligations that require disclosure of accommodation, incidents, and compensation claims (s 31).
Clients / hirers (persons receiving labour hire services)
A person who enters into an arrangement with a provider for labour hire services must not do so unless the provider is licensed, unless there is a reasonable excuse (s 11(1)). Clients are also required to report avoidance arrangements if they are aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, that the arrangement is designed to circumvent the Act (s 90). Thus clients who use labour hire must perform due diligence on supplier licences (s 11(2) allows reliance on the public register as a reasonable excuse).
Group training organisations and specific examples
The Act expressly contemplates group training organisations and principal employer organisations under the Further Education and Training Act 2014 that supply apprentices and trainees as examples of suppliers (s 7(1) examples; s 8(3)). The Act also recognises private employment agents as a specified excluded class where they fall under the Private Employment Agents Act 2005 (s 7(3)(a)).
Regulatory officials and the chief executive
The chief executive administers licensing, imposes conditions, keeps the register, may require information and direct enforcement activity (evident throughout Parts 3-6 and ss 103-105). Inspectors appointed by the chief executive investigate and enforce, and have statutorily defined powers (Part 6: ss 47-54, 55-79, 84A). The commissioner of police is a cooperating information source for criminal history checks (s 44).
Related regulators and courts
The Act cross‑links to other regulators and courts: decisions are reviewable by the chief executive (ss 93-97) and appealable to QCAT under the QCAT Act where a QCAT information notice is given (ss 96, 98). Magistrates and courts have roles in issuing warrants and disposal orders (ss 61-66, 84).
Third parties with conditional obligations
Persons in control of premises, owners of seized things, and people who might be affected by seizure, forfeiture or disposal orders are brought into the scheme by inspection and enforcement provisions (ss 72-83). Another class is persons whose confidential information is handled by the administration, subject to disclosure limits (s 104).
Who is not (necessarily) affected
The Act contains express non‑coverage for private employment agents and specified classes prescribed by regulation (s 7(3)). The Act also allows regulations to exempt classes where the supply of a worker is not a dominant purpose of the business (s 7(4)).
Practical effect on businesses and individuals
Businesses that supply workers in the course of their business must either obtain and maintain a licence and meet the ongoing reporting/administrative obligations (ss 13, 31), or if they choose to contract through intermediary arrangements, ensure those intermediaries are not "providers" as defined or are properly licensed. Clients who contract labour hire must verify licencing via the public register (s 103) or risk offence liability under s 11. Individuals acting as nominated officers must meet requirements and be available for contact (ss 33-34).
The Act therefore distributes duties and liabilities across multiple actors in the labour hire eco‑system: providers (primary regulated party), clients (secondary duties), workers (subject of protective provisions and reporting), the chief executive and inspectors (regulatory decision makers and enforcers), and courts/magistrates (judicial oversight).
Key duties and rights
Duties imposed on providers and applicants
Licence requirement: A person must not provide labour hire services unless the person holds a licence (s 10(1)). Advertising or holding out that a person provides labour hire services without a licence is a separate offence (s 10(2)).
Application content and supporting information: Applicants must apply in the approved form and include specified particulars such as applicant details, business ABN and address, nominated officer details, whether accommodation or other services will be provided, prior disciplinary action and prescribed financial viability and legal compliance information; the application must be accompanied by the prescribed fee (s 13).
Fit and proper and financial viability obligations: The chief executive may grant a licence only if satisfied that each relevant person is a fit and proper person and the business is financially viable (s 15).
Compliance condition: It is a condition of every licence that the licensee must comply with all relevant laws applying to the licensee (s 28).
Reporting obligations: Licensees must provide a detailed report within 28 days after each six‑month reporting period covering matters such as numbers of workers supplied, arrangements with workers, locations, accommodation details, compliance with relevant laws, disciplinary or enforcement action, and known incidents and compensation applications (s 31). Regulations may prescribe further required report content (s 32).
Nominated officers: Licensees must have nominated officer(s) (individuals) responsible for day‑to‑day management (s 33), ensure they are reasonably available for contact during business hours (s 34), and follow processes to change or substitute nominated officers, including short‑term substitutes kept on the premises and available for inspection (ss 35-37).
Production of licence: Licensees must produce a copy of their licence on request by an inspector, worker, or another person they are dealing with (s 38).
Notification of changes: Licensees must notify the chief executive of prescribed changes in circumstances within 14 days (s 40).
Duties on clients and other persons
Entering into arrangements: It is an offence for a person to enter into an arrangement with a provider for labour hire services unless the provider holds a licence, unless the person has a reasonable excuse; reliance on the register is a reasonable excuse (s 11).
Avoidance arrangements: It is an offence to enter into an avoidance arrangement designed to circumvent the Act if the person knows or ought reasonably to know the arrangement’s purpose, unless there is a reasonable excuse (s 12). Clients must report known avoidance arrangements to the chief executive as soon as practicable (s 90).
Inspector and chief executive powers and duties
The chief executive decides on grant, renewal, suspension, cancellation and imposition of conditions (ss 16, 20-24, 29-30). The chief executive may obtain information under Part 5 (s 16).
Inspectors are empowered to monitor compliance, investigate alleged contraventions and inform providers/workers of rights and obligations (s 47). Inspectors can require information from applicants and licensees (ss 41, 43), enter premises under consent/warrant or where a workplace is open (s 55), exercise search and seizure and other investigatory powers (ss 68-79), and require attendance or production of documents where an offence is suspected (s 84A).
The chief executive must keep a public register with specified particulars and make it available free of charge on the labour hire website (s 103). The chief executive may publish specified information about applicants and former licensees (s 105).
Rights, remedies and safeguards
Review and appeal: Persons given an information notice for a decision may apply for a review by the chief executive (ss 93-97). Persons given a QCAT information notice may apply for review under the QCAT Act (s 98). Interested persons may apply for review of grant, suspension or condition decisions (s 93(2)).
Procedural fairness on cancellation and conditions: The chief executive must issue a show cause notice and allow 14 days to respond before cancelling a licence (s 23); the same process applies before imposing or varying a condition after grant (s 30).
Evidential immunity: An individual who gives information or a document (other than a document required to be kept under this Act) to the chief executive under s 43 or to an inspector under s 70 has limited evidential immunity such that evidence of the information and derivative evidence is not admissible against the individual to the extent it tends to incriminate or expose to penalty (s 101). However, s 101 expressly excludes documents required to be kept or given under the Act from that protection.
Confidentiality: Persons who hold criminal history information or other confidential information must not disclose it except in limited circumstances (ss 46, 104). The chief executive must destroy documents containing criminal history information when no longer needed (s 46(4)).
Compensation: Persons who suffer loss because of exercise or purported exercise of inspector powers may claim compensation from the State; orders require the court be satisfied it is just in all circumstances (s 87).
Time and procedural limits
Licence term and renewal: Licences are granted for up to one year (s 17). Renewals must be applied for before expiry and, where applied, licences continue in force until the chief executive decides (s 18(3)). Restorations of expired licences may be applied for within 28 days of expiry (s 19).
Enforcement timeline: Proceedings for offences must be started within specified limitation periods (s 100).
These duties and rights allocate active compliance responsibilities to providers and give the regulatory decision‑maker (chief executive and inspectors) substantial powers to control market entry and to investigate and sanction non‑compliance. The Act provides procedural safeguards (notification, review, evidential immunity for certain disclosures) but also imposes strict duties (reporting, nomination and availability, production of licence, prompt notification of prescribed changes) that create recurring compliance tasks.
Penalties and enforcement
Penalty framework in summary
The Act sets out maximum penalties for a cohort of offences and administrative enforcement options. The most significant criminal penalties are for providing labour hire services without a licence and for entering into arrangements with unlicensed providers or entering avoidance arrangements. The maximum penalties are stated in units and, for certain offences against individuals, include imprisonment (see s 10(1) and ss 11-12):
Providing labour hire services without a licence: for an individual, 1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; for a corporation, 3000 penalty units (s 10(1)).
Advertising or holding out as a provider without a licence: 200 penalty units (s 10(2)).
Entering into an arrangement with an unlicensed provider without a reasonable excuse: same maximums as s 10,individual 1034 units or 3 years imprisonment; corporation 3000 units (s 11(1)).
Entering into an avoidance arrangement: same maximums as s 11 (s 12).
Smaller penalties apply to secondary obligations: producing a licence on request attracts a maximum of 100 penalty units (s 38); returning a suspended or cancelled licence must be done within 14 days or face a 40 penalty unit maximum (s 25); nominated officer availability and other breaches have 40 penalty unit maxima at times (s 34; s 36 includes 40 units for failing to keep substitute appointment documentation available).
Administrative enforcement tools
Suspension and cancellation: The chief executive may suspend a licence for up to 90 days where specified grounds apply (s 22) and must give notice of suspension; for cancellation the chief executive must first give a show cause notice giving 14 days to respond (s 23) and may then cancel the licence where grounds are established (s 24). A cancelled licence triggers a 2‑year bar on reapplication for natural persons (s 14(1)), with detailed rules for corporations and genuine sale exceptions (s 14(2), (5)).
Conditions on licences: The chief executive may impose, vary or revoke licence conditions and may require insurance, securities, information provision and inspection rights (s 29). Conditions can be imposed at grant or later with procedural notice (s 30).
Seizure, forfeiture and disposal: Inspectors may seize evidence and items at places they may enter without consent (s 72) or with consent/warrant subject to purpose limits (s 73). Seized things may be forfeited to the State after reasonable inquiries and efforts (s 80), with notice obligations (s 81), and the State may deal with forfeited property (s 83). On conviction, courts may make disposal orders for items used to commit offences or likely to be used for future offences (s 84).
Fines and imprisonment: As noted, the most serious operational offences carry large penalty unit fines and, for individuals, possible imprisonment (s 10(1), ss 11-12). The Act also imposes smaller monetary penalties for obstructing or failing to comply with inspector requirements (ss 88-89), giving false or misleading information (s 91), and unauthorised disclosure of criminal history information or confidential information (ss 46, 104).
Inspection and investigative powers
Inspectors’ powers include entry (consensual, workplace access or warrant) (s 55), searching, inspecting, filming, taking samples and copies, placing identifying marks, using equipment and persons to exercise powers, and taking documents for copying (s 68). Inspectors may require reasonable help from occupiers or persons at a place (s 69) and may require production of documents that must be kept under the Act (s 70). The Act also empowers inspectors to require attendance or information where an inspector reasonably believes an offence has been committed (s 84A).
Warrants: Inspectors may apply to a magistrate for a warrant with sworn written grounds (s 61); a magistrate may issue a warrant only if satisfied there are reasonable grounds that particular items or activities that may provide evidence of an offence are or will be at the place within seven days (s 62). Electronic applications procedures and duplicate warrants are provided for (ss 63-64).
Assistance and obstruction offences: Failure to comply with an inspector requirement is an offence (s 89), with a maximum penalty of 200 penalty units, while obstructing an inspector is a separate offence up to 100 penalty units (s 88). The Act identifies circumstances where a person has a reasonable excuse (e.g. self‑incrimination in certain contexts , see ss 69, 84A, 101).
Procedural safeguards and remedies
Show cause requirements: Before cancellation the chief executive must issue a show cause notice and consider any written response (s 23); before imposing or varying conditions post‑grant, the chief executive must give notice and allow 14 days to respond (s 30).
Review and appeal: Decisions are reviewable by the chief executive (ss 93-97) with strict timelines (the chief executive must give a review decision within 21 days of receiving the review application , s 97), and certain people given QCAT information notices may seek further review under the QCAT Act (s 98). An application for review does not stay the decision; applicants can apply to QCAT for a stay (s 96).
Compensation: A person who suffers loss because of the exercise or purported exercise of inspector powers may claim compensation from the State; courts have a discretion to order compensation only where it is just and must take particular matters into account (s 87).
Evidential immunity and confidentiality: s 101 provides limited evidential immunity for individuals who provide information/documents (other than documents required to be kept under the Act) to the chief executive under s 43 or to inspectors under s 70; s 46 and s 104 limit disclosure of criminal history information and other confidential information held by administration.
The enforcement design therefore combines criminal penalties for operational breaches, administrative sanctions (suspension, cancellation, conditions), investigatory powers for inspectors, and procedural safeguards (show cause, review/appeal, limited evidential immunity and compensation). The chief executive is the central decision maker while inspectors are the front‑line enforcement officers; courts and QCAT provide judicial and merits review mechanisms.
How it interacts with other laws
Direct cross‑references and reporting integration
Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003: Applicants must include information about whether, in the previous five years, they have complied with the WHS Act and the Workers’ Compensation Act and are able to comply with them (s 13(3)(c)). Licensees’ six‑monthly reports must disclose, to the licensee’s knowledge, the number of notifiable incidents under the WHS Act s 38 and the number of applications for compensation under the Workers’ Compensation Act s 31(2)(m)-(n). The chief executive may require verification of compliance information by statutory declaration (s 43(2)). These cross‑references embed WHS and workers’ compensation compliance into licensing decisions and reporting.
Private Employment Agents Act 2005 and Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004: The Act expressly excludes private employment agents under the Private Employment Agents Act 2005 and contractors subcontracting under construction contracts within the BCIPA definition from providing labour hire services "merely because" of those activities (s 7(3)(a)-(b)). Regulations may prescribe further classes to be excluded, but only where supply of workers is not a dominant purpose (s 7(3)(c), (4)).
Corporations Act 2001: The Act references Corporations Act concepts such as "related body corporate" (s 14(6) refers to Corporations Act s 9) and disqualification from managing corporations as a fit and proper consideration (s 27(f)-(g)). Insolvency and winding up under the Corporations Act are grounds for cancellation of licences (s 24(1)(d)-(e)).
Migration Act 1958 (Cwlth): Regulations may require reporting of the number of workers supplied who hold particular classes of visas under the Migration Act (s 32). The Act therefore enables potential cross‑checking of visa statuses via regulation.
Interactions with criminal and civil procedure
Magistrates’ courts and warrants: Inspectors apply for warrants to magistrates, and warrants must be supported by sworn written applications (ss 61-62). The Act specifies magistrate procedural powers and time limits for warrants (s 62). Section 64 deals with electronic applications and duplicate warrants and sets evidentiary consequences if the original warrant cannot be produced in related proceedings.
Courts’ disposal orders: On conviction, courts may make disposal orders for things used to commit an offence or likely to be used in the future (s 84). Courts retain broader powers under other laws (s 84(6)).
Administrative law and merits review
Review by chief executive and QCAT: The Act provides an internal merits review by the chief executive (ss 93-97, with time limits and required decision maker seniority), and further appeal rights to QCAT under the QCAT Act (ss 96-98). These mechanisms interact with general administrative law principles; the Act explicitly prevents the original decision maker (or someone in a less senior office) dealing with the application for review (s 97(2)).
Privacy, criminal records and confidentiality law
Police commissioner cooperation for criminal history reports: The chief executive may request criminal history reports from the commissioner of the police service (s 44); the commissioner must comply where the information is in the commissioner's possession or accessible (s 44(3)-(4)). The Act limits use of such information for particular decisions (s 45), and restricts disclosure by persons holding criminal history information, with statutory destruction obligations (s 46(4)).
Confidential information disclosure: People engaged in administration or having access to confidential information are subject to non‑disclosure obligations but may disclose with consent, if required by law, for administration/enforcement, or for legal proceedings (s 104). The chief executive must ensure disclosure to auditors and may share information for enforcement purposes (s 43(5)).
Evidence and self‑incrimination
Compulsion and limited immunity: The Act requires compliance with information demands (s 43(3)) and states that it is not a reasonable excuse to refuse on the basis of incrimination (s 43(4)). Section 101, however, provides an evidential immunity for individuals who give or produce information or documents (other than documents required to be kept under this Act) to the chief executive under s 43 or to an inspector under s 70: the information and derivative evidence are inadmissible to the extent they tend to incriminate the individual. The exclusion for documents "required to be kept or given under this Act" means that statutory record production obligations do not generate the same immunity (s 101(1)-(3)). This creates a careful operational interaction: compelled production of documents required by the Act carries fewer protections than voluntary disclosures of non‑required documents.
Regulation‑making and delegated matters
The Act contemplates regulation to detail fees, exemptions, record keeping, the content of reports, number and requirements for nominated officers, and penalties up to 20 penalty units for contraventions of regulations (s 108). Those regulations will determine operational interfaces with other compliance regimes and administrative recordkeeping practices.
Overall, the Act is designed to sit alongside WHS, workers’ compensation, immigration, corporate insolvency/disqualification and criminal law regimes. It creates cross‑checks (criminal history checks, reporting of WHS incidents and compensation claims), explicitly integrates other regulatory compliance as both pre‑grant information and ongoing reporting, and gives the chief executive powers to obtain and share information for enforcement. The statutory scheme therefore relies on and interacts with existing regulatory infrastructures (police information, WHS notifications, workers’ compensation systems) to perform its licensing and integrity functions.
Amendment history
The text as provided contains explicit editorial amendment notes. The Act, in the supplied version, records the following amendments or insertions as part of its text:
Section 24 annotation: "s 24 amd 2023 No. 23 s 247 sch 1 s 2 (2)". The text of s 24 currently includes cancellation grounds and notes this amendment reference (s 24).
Section 27 annotation: "s 27 amd 2023 No. 23 s 247 sch 1 s 2 (2)". The fit and proper person provisions (s 27) include a note of amendment incorporating changes in 2023 (s 27).
Section 69 annotation: "s 69 amd 2024 No. 40 s 18". The power to require reasonable help (s 69) carries that amendment reference (s 69).
Section 84A annotation (previously s 71 relocated and renumbered): "s 84A (prev s 71) reloc and renum 2024 No. 40 s 19". The power to require information or attendance (now s 84A) is shown as relocated and renumbered in 2024.
Section 107A annotation: "s 107A ins 2024 No. 40 s 21". Section 107A (service of documents) is indicated as inserted in 2024.
Section 110 expiry note: "s 110 exp 16 April 2020 (see s 110(4))". The text notes that s 110 expired on 16 April 2020.
Those amendment annotations are the only extratextual historical entries present in the supplied instrument. The annotations identify statute numbers and schedule/section references for amendments enacted in 2023 and 2024 (e.g. "2023 No. 23 s 247 sch 1 s 2(2)" and "2024 No. 40 s 18/19/21"). No other amendment, commencement dates beyond the general commencement provision (s 2), or repeal entries are contained in the text provided.
The Act therefore, on its face, has been updated at least in the years referenced above to:
adjust cancellation and fit and proper provisions (2023 amendment note);
add or amend inspector assistance powers and relocation/renumbering of investigative attendance powers (2024 amendments); and
insert a provision on service of documents by email or other specified means (s 107A inserted 2024).
Any practitioner relying on this text should note those amendment annotations and check the cited amending instruments for precise amendment language and commencement timing where relevant. The supplied text does not include the amending instruments themselves nor commencement proclamations for those amending parts; the Act’s own commencement clause (s 2) states the Act begins "on a day to be fixed by proclamation."
Litigation history
The supplied text contains no case law, judicial decisions or litigation summaries. There are no judicial authorities, reported decisions or example prosecutions cited in the Act as provided. Where the Act contemplates judicial or tribunal action it does so in procedural or remedial terms (warrant applications to magistrates under ss 61-62, disposal orders in s 84, time limits for proceedings in s 100, review and appeal mechanisms under ss 93-98). The only references to other decision‑makers are to Magistrates Courts for warrants (s 64(9) defines “relevant magistrates court” in that context), to courts with jurisdiction for recovery of compensation (s 87(2)), and to QCAT for stays and appeals (ss 96-98).
Because there is no litigation history in the statutory text provided, any account of judicial interpretation, contested points or precedent must be sourced outside the provided material. The Act itself establishes pathways where litigation would appear likely to arise (e.g. licence refusals, cancellations, seizure and forfeiture, prosecutions) but does not document outcomes or judicial treatments of those provisions.
Gotchas
Threshold and scope issues
Definition breadth: The statutory definition of "provides labour hire services" is wide and expressly displaces factors that might otherwise indicate non‑coverage,employment relationship, contracts, intermediaries, or control of the work do not determine coverage (s 7(2)). Businesses that intermittently supply workers or use intermediaries should carefully test whether supply is within "the course of carrying on a business" and whether supply is a "dominant purpose" where regulatory exemptions are to be claimed by regulation (s 7(3)-(4)). The Act’s examples do not exhaust scope (s 7(1) examples).
Supply moment: Supply is defined as occurring when the worker first starts to do work for the recipient (s 9). This triggers licensing and reporting obligations tied to the work commencement date.
Chief executive discretion and fit and proper uncertainty
The chief executive’s decision power is broad and fact‑driven: grant, refuse, impose conditions, or cancel licences are all at the chief executive’s discretion subject to statutory tests (ss 15-16, 29, 22-24). The "fit and proper" test lists matters to be considered but is non‑exhaustive and expressly allows the chief executive to have regard to any matter considered relevant (s 27). That breadth creates compliance uncertainty for applicants and licensees as to how the chief executive will weigh factors such as prior regulatory action or indirect control by others (s 27(h)).
Reporting and data obligations
Biannual reporting burden and data detail: Licensees must submit substantial six‑monthly reports that include numbers of workers, the nature of arrangements, locations, accommodation details and whether workers paid for accommodation, compliance with relevant laws, disciplinary actions, notifiable WHS incidents and compensation applications (s 31). Regulations may add further detail including visa types and non‑English speaking background counts (s 32). This creates recurring data‑collection, record‑keeping and disclosure costs.
Public register and publication: The register will include particulars such as nominated officers, industry and locations, and details of enforcement action (s 103). The chief executive may publish information about applicants and former licensees on the labour hire website (s 105). These transparency mechanisms can result in reputational effects for businesses, and licensees should ensure accuracy and timeliness of information on the register.
Compulsion vs immunity complexity
Self‑incrimination tension: The Act makes compliance with information notices mandatory (s 43(3)) and disallows reliance on the right to silence as a reasonable excuse (s 43(4)). Section 101 provides evidential immunity for certain disclosures made to the chief executive or an inspector, but only for information or a document other than a document required to be kept or given under the Act (s 101(1)). That carve‑out means documents that the Act requires to be produced (e.g. records required by regulation) are not covered by s 101’s evidential immunity. Practitioners must carefully distinguish between compelled production of statutory records (limited protection) and voluntary provision of non‑required material that may attract evidential immunity (s 101).
Nominated officer requirements and availability
Individuals only and availability: Nominated officers must be individuals (not corporate entities) who are responsible for day‑to‑day management and must be reasonably available for contact (ss 33-34). Short term substitute appointments are permitted but must be in writing, kept at operational premises and available for immediate inspection (s 36), and longer absences require prior approval or formal replacement (s 37). These rules create operational contingencies for businesses with remote operations or where key managers travel.
Avoidance and client exposure
Clients can be criminally liable and have reporting duties: Clients who enter into arrangements with unlicensed providers without a reasonable excuse face the same maximum penalties as providers (s 11). Clients are also under an obligation to report known avoidance arrangements to the chief executive (s 90). This shifts some compliance burden onto hirers and makes due diligence on suppliers a critical commercial control.
Inspection and seizure practicalities
Broad search and seizure: Inspectors have expansive general powers to search, copy, seize and secure items (s 68, ss 72-75). For consensual entries, powers are subject to the terms of consent and the occupier’s rights (s 55). For entries requiring warrants, procedural rules on application, duplication and onus of proof in proceedings exist (ss 61-66, 64(7)). Practical risks include operational disruption where inspectors act quickly and the need to preserve documentary chains of custody for seized items.
Administrative timing and re‑application limits
Bars on re‑application: A natural person whose licence is cancelled cannot apply for a licence for two years (s 14(1)). A person refused a licence cannot reapply for three months after being given the information notice or, if they appealed and the decision was confirmed, for three months after confirmation (s 14(3)). Corporations have nuanced exceptions on a genuine sale basis (s 14(2), (5)) but must satisfy the chief executive. These timing constraints affect business continuity planning following licence cancellation or refusal.
Enforcement cost asymmetry
Penalty magnitudes and corporate/invidual split: The Act attaches very large maximum fines to key operational offences (s 10(1) and ss 11-12). Corporations face higher unit ceilings (3000 units) while individuals face imprisonment options as well as large monetary fines (1034 units). Organisations need to design compliance and contractual frameworks to limit exposure.
Procedural deadlines and review limits
Tight timeframes for internal review and stays: The chief executive must give a review decision within 21 days of receiving a review application (s 97(1)). An application for review does not operate as a stay of the decision unless QCAT grants one; applicants must move promptly to seek a stay to avoid operational effects (s 96). The chief executive’s review cannot be conducted by the same decision maker or a more junior official (s 97(2)).
Taken together, these "gotchas" identify areas where the Act’s wording imposes concrete operational, evidentiary and timing burdens that require specific business processes: licencing diligence, data and record systems, nominated officer arrangements, careful handling of inspector interactions, and legal planning for possible show cause, suspension or cancellation events.
How to comply
Initial assessment and licensing
Test whether your activity falls within the statutory definition of providing labour hire services (s 7). If your business supplies a worker to another person in the course of carrying on a business, the presumption under the Act is that a licence is required unless an express exclusion applies (s 7(1)-(3)). Check whether you fall within one of the statutory exceptions (private employment agents under the Private Employment Agents Act 2005, contractors under BCIPA s 10, or a class prescribed by regulation where supply is not a dominant purpose,s 7(3)-(4)).
If a licence is required, prepare an application in the approved form that includes: applicant and business particulars, ABN, contact details, nominated officer details, whether accommodation or other services are provided to workers, disciplinary history under relevant laws in the last five years, the prescribed application fee and prescribed information about financial viability and compliance with WHS and workers’ compensation laws (s 13(3)). Ensure nominated officers meet regulatory requirements and are individuals involved in day‑to‑day management (s 33).
Fit and proper and financial‑viability readiness
Document systems and evidence that demonstrate fitness and propriety: maintain records showing compliance histories with relevant laws, any disciplinary outcomes, corporate governance arrangements, details of any periods of corporate administration, receivership or liquidation, and any disqualifications under the Corporations Act (s 27). For corporations, ensure executive officers’ records and histories are available for assessment (s 15).
Maintain financial documentation and auditor‑ready materials to satisfy the financial viability test; the chief executive may require information including audit advice (s 43(5)).
Operational compliance and record keeping
Build record retention and reporting systems to meet the six‑monthly reporting obligation (s 31). Reports must include numbers of workers supplied, descriptions of arrangements, work types, locations, accommodation details (including fees paid), other services provided, compliance with relevant laws, disciplinary or enforcement actions, notifiable incidents under the WHS Act known to the licensee, and numbers of compensation applications known to the licensee. Regulations may prescribe further required details (s 32).
Ensure records required under the Act and regulations are retained in the prescribed form and for the prescribed periods (s 108). Where documents may be required by inspectors or the chief executive, maintain contemporaneous copies and an index to facilitate quick production.
Nominated officers and availability
Appoint nominated officer(s) who are individuals with day‑to‑day management responsibilities (s 33). Ensure nominated officers’ contact details are up to date and they are reasonably available during business hours (s 34).
If a nominated officer will be absent, either appoint a written short‑term substitute (up to 30 days) with documented consent and an appointment record kept onsite for immediate inspection (s 36), or apply to change the nominated officer formally (s 35) or apply for an extension/substitution via the chief executive if absence exceeds 30 days (s 37).
Accommodation, third‑party services and supply chains
If providing accommodation or other services (meals, transport) to workers, document locations, charging arrangements and numbers of workers using the services; this information is required in reports (s 31(2)(h)-(j)).
If third parties provide accommodation or services to supplied workers, record provider identity and addresses to the extent known and include in reports (s 31(2)(i)).
Pre‑inspection and inspector interactions
Train staff on inspector entry protocols and documentation: inspectors must identify themselves and produce identity cards when exercising powers (ss 52-53). For consensual entry, ensure staff know that an occupier may set conditions on consent and that consent may be withdrawn (s 55). For warrant entries, be ready to ask for and examine the warrant and note that, where entry is required to avoid frustrating execution of a warrant, inspectors may not provide opportunity for consent (s 66).
Maintain an organised record room and an index of documents to facilitate immediate production of documents requested under s 70, remembering that for an electronic document the inspector’s requirement may be satisfied by providing a clear printed reproduction (s 70(2)).
Where inspectors make help requirements (s 69) or require attendance/information (s 84A), ensure persons understand the limits of reasonable excuse: for certain offences, the Act limits the right to refuse on self‑incrimination grounds, and s 101 provides limited evidential immunity, but not for documents required to be kept under the Act (s 101(1)). Legal advice should be sought promptly when compelled to provide incriminating information or documents.
Corporate governance and change notifications
Adopt corporate controls to ensure timely notification of prescribed changes to the chief executive within 14 days (s 40). For corporations, set internal procedures to detect changes in executive officer status and to notify as required.
Avoid transfers of licences: the Act prohibits transferring, selling or lending licences and prescribes penalties (s 39).
Commercial contracting and client due diligence
Clients hiring labour hire services should verify supplier licences using the public register (s 103) because reliance on the register is a statutory "reasonable excuse" for clients who enter arrangements (s 11(2)). Include licence verification clauses and ongoing monitoring obligations in supplier contracts.
Implement processes to identify and avoid "avoidance arrangements" that the Act targets (s 12), and have reporting processes so the client can notify the chief executive as required under s 90 if an avoidance arrangement is identified.
Insurance, securities and licence conditions
Be ready to comply with licence conditions: the chief executive may require insurance, security lodgement or periodic information or inspections (s 29). If such conditions are imposed at grant or later (s 29(3)), ensure financial and insurance arrangements are in place and compliance monitored.
Dispute, review and enforcement contingency planning
Establish escalation and legal response procedures for any show cause, suspension or cancellation notice (ss 23-24). Note the short timeframes for response (14 days) and the chief executive’s 21‑day limit to decide reviews (s 97). Where a decision is not stayed by a review, promptly seek a stay from QCAT if operational effects are severe (s 96).
Maintain documentary trails and evidence for possible litigation: where seized items are taken, the Act requires receipts and information notices to be given where practicable (s 77), and access/copying rights for owners are protected while the items are retained (s 78).
Compliance culture and external audits
Given the chief executive can obtain and use financial information and obtain auditor advice (s 43(5)), businesses should consider periodic external audit reviews of WHS, workers’ compensation, payroll, visa status checks and accommodation arrangements to demonstrate ability to comply with relevant laws (s 28).
The chief executive may waive certain information requirements where substantially identical material has been provided under another regulatory or accreditation scheme (s 102). Where possible, align external compliance reporting to meet both this Act’s and other regulators’ needs to reduce duplicate reporting.
Records and IT systems
Put in place IT systems to capture required reporting fields at the time of hire and to store copies of contracts, payroll records, accommodation invoices, WHS incident reports and compensation applications so that six‑monthly reporting (s 31) can be compiled accurately and documents produced promptly to inspectors (s 70).
In short, compliance requires an integrated operational, legal and governance approach: determine coverage, secure a licence before supplying, implement nominated officer and reporting systems, adopt contract clauses and due diligence for hirers and suppliers, and prepare processes for inspector interactions and administrative reviews. Keep an eye on regulations (s 108) that will set fees, record forms, and potentially add prescribed report matters.
• a contractor who supplies workers to a farmer or fruit grower to pick produce for the farmer or grower
• a group training organisation or principal employer organisation under the Further Education and Training Act 2014 that supplies an apprentice or trainee to an employer
• an employment agency who on-hires temporary administration staff to a business
(a) whether or not the worker is an employee of the provider; and
(b) whether or not a contract is entered into between the worker and the provider, or between the provider and the person to whom the worker is supplied; and
(c) whether the worker is supplied by the provider to another person directly or indirectly through 1 or more agents or intermediaries; and
(d) whether the work done by the worker is under the control of the provider, the person to whom the worker is supplied or another person.
(a) the person is a private employment agent under the Private Employment Agents Act 2005 ; or
(b) the person is a contractor who enters into a contract to carry out construction work within the meaning of the Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 , section 10 , and engages subcontractors to carry out the work; or
(c) the person is, or is of a class of person, prescribed by regulation.
sec.8 Meaning of worker
sec.8 Meaning of worker
An individual is a worker for a provider if the individual enters into an arrangement with the provider under which—
the provider may supply, to another person, the individual to do work; and
the provider is obliged to pay the worker, in whole or part, for the work.
However, an individual is not a worker if the individual is, or is of a class of individual, prescribed by regulation.
To remove any doubt, it is declared that a worker includes an apprentice or trainee under a training contract entered into with a provider who is a group training organisation or principal employer organisation under the Further Education and Training Act 2014 .
(sec.8-ssec.1) An individual is a worker for a provider if the individual enters into an arrangement with the provider under which— the provider may supply, to another person, the individual to do work; and the provider is obliged to pay the worker, in whole or part, for the work.
(sec.8-ssec.2) However, an individual is not a worker if the individual is, or is of a class of individual, prescribed by regulation.
(sec.8-ssec.3) To remove any doubt, it is declared that a worker includes an apprentice or trainee under a training contract entered into with a provider who is a group training organisation or principal employer organisation under the Further Education and Training Act 2014 .
(a) the provider may supply, to another person, the individual to do work; and
(b) the provider is obliged to pay the worker, in whole or part, for the work.
sec.9 When a worker is supplied
sec.9 When a worker is supplied
For this Act, the supply of a worker to do work for a person happens when the worker first starts to do work for the person in relation to the supply.
pt.2 Prohibited conduct
Prohibited conduct
sec.10 Licence required to provide labour hire services
sec.10 Licence required to provide labour hire services
A person must not provide labour hire services unless the person is the holder of a licence.
Maximum penalty—
for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or
for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
A person must not advertise, or in any way hold out, that the person provides or is willing to provide labour hire services, unless the person is the holder of a licence.
Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
(sec.10-ssec.1) A person must not provide labour hire services unless the person is the holder of a licence. Maximum penalty— for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
(sec.10-ssec.2) A person must not advertise, or in any way hold out, that the person provides or is willing to provide labour hire services, unless the person is the holder of a licence. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
(a) for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or
(b) for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
sec.11 Person must not enter into arrangements with unlicensed providers
sec.11 Person must not enter into arrangements with unlicensed providers
A person must not, without a reasonable excuse, enter into an arrangement with a provider for the provision of labour hire services to the person, unless the provider is the holder of a licence.
Maximum penalty—
for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or
for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
It is a reasonable excuse for the person not to comply if, when the person entered into the arrangement, the provider was shown on the register as the holder of a licence.
(sec.11-ssec.1) A person must not, without a reasonable excuse, enter into an arrangement with a provider for the provision of labour hire services to the person, unless the provider is the holder of a licence. Maximum penalty— for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
(sec.11-ssec.2) It is a reasonable excuse for the person not to comply if, when the person entered into the arrangement, the provider was shown on the register as the holder of a licence.
(a) for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or
(b) for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
sec.12 Person must not enter into avoidance arrangements
sec.12 Person must not enter into avoidance arrangements
A person must not enter into an arrangement with another person (an avoidance arrangement ) for the supply of a worker if the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, the arrangement is designed to circumvent or avoid an obligation imposed by this Act, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
See also section 90 .
Maximum penalty—
for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or
for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
(sec.12-ssec) A person must not enter into an arrangement with another person (an avoidance arrangement ) for the supply of a worker if the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, the arrangement is designed to circumvent or avoid an obligation imposed by this Act, unless the person has a reasonable excuse. See also section 90 . Maximum penalty— for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
(a) for an individual—1034 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment; or
(b) for a corporation—3000 penalty units.
pt.3 Licences
Licences
pt.3-div.1 Application and grant
Application and grant
sec.13 Application
sec.13 Application
Subject to section 14 , a person who carries on, or intends to carry on, a business may apply to the chief executive for a licence.
If a person carries on, or intends to carry on, a business with 1 or more other persons, the application must be made jointly by the person and each of the other persons.
The application must—
be in the approved form; and
state the following—
each applicant’s full name and contact details;
the business name, ABN and address of the business to which the application relates;
the full name and contact details of 1 or more individuals (each a proposed nominated officer ) who satisfy the requirements mentioned in section 33 (1) ;
if the applicant is a corporation—the name and ACN or ARBN of the corporation and the names of the directors or members of its governing body;
whether the applicant is providing, or intends to provide, accommodation or any other service to workers in connection with the provision of labour hire services;
meals, transport
whether, within 5 years before the application is made, any disciplinary action has been taken against the applicant by a regulatory body under a relevant law; and
be accompanied by—
the application fee prescribed by regulation; and
the information, prescribed by regulation, about whether the business to which the application relates is financially viable; and
the information, prescribed by regulation, about whether each applicant has, for the 5 years before the application is made, complied with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 , and is able to comply with those Acts; and
any other information, prescribed by regulation, the chief executive reasonably requires to decide whether each applicant and the persons mentioned in section 15 (a) are fit and proper persons to provide labour hire services.
If a regulation under section 33 (2) prescribes the number of nominated officers for a licence, the application must, for subsection (3) (b) (iii) , state the name and contact details of at least the prescribed number of proposed nominated officers.
(sec.13-ssec.1) Subject to section 14 , a person who carries on, or intends to carry on, a business may apply to the chief executive for a licence.
(sec.13-ssec.2) If a person carries on, or intends to carry on, a business with 1 or more other persons, the application must be made jointly by the person and each of the other persons.
(sec.13-ssec.3) The application must— be in the approved form; and state the following— each applicant’s full name and contact details; the business name, ABN and address of the business to which the application relates; the full name and contact details of 1 or more individuals (each a proposed nominated officer ) who satisfy the requirements mentioned in section 33 (1) ; if the applicant is a corporation—the name and ACN or ARBN of the corporation and the names of the directors or members of its governing body; whether the applicant is providing, or intends to provide, accommodation or any other service to workers in connection with the provision of labour hire services; meals, transport whether, within 5 years before the application is made, any disciplinary action has been taken against the applicant by a regulatory body under a releva
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.