Labour hire licensing laws have recently been introduced in Queensland, meaning that any Labour Hire companies (often know as contractors) must be licensed to operate in Queensland. So if you are offered a job in Queensland with a contractor you can either ask for a copy of their Labour Hire License, or check on-line to see if they are licensed –
https://ols.oir.qld.gov.au/licence-register/search/
The Labour Hire Licensing Compliance Unit works in partnership with other agencies to protect labour hire workers from being: treated unfairly; underpaid; stopped from taking leave or adequate breaks from work; given unsatisfactory equipment to do their job; made to work in unsatisfactory health and safety conditions; housed in sub-standard accommodation; transported in unsafe vehicles; threatened; bullied or subjected to violence or intimidation.
If you have concerns or information about mistreatment by contractors operating in Queensland without a licence or a business using an unlicensed labour hire provider, you can:
Report the problem through the online Report a problem form.
Call 1300 576 088 from within Australia, to report your problem in confidence.
Report a problem by making an anonymous report.
Operating hours are 9.00am – 4.30pm, Monday-Friday except public holidays.
International callers can report a problem on +617 3874 2280.
Labour Hire Licensing is being introduced in Victoria and is expected to be up and running by mid-2019.
Source: NHLIS newsletter