Labour hire licensing reforms
Changes to South Australia’s labour hire licensing laws will help improve protections for workers.
From 29 January 2026 all labour hire firms and workers are covered by the same laws and regulations – subject to a 6-month transition period.
Previously, labour hire providers were required to be licensed in 5 sectors: horticulture processing, meat processing, seafood processing, cleaning and trolley collection. State Government amendments to the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site) largely reverts the Act to its original form – which required all labour hire providers be licensed.
SA’s labour hire licensing laws set minimum standards for labour hire providers with the aim of protecting workers from being exploited. Extending the law to cover all labour hire firms helps ensure that labour hire providers operate under the same scheme, while keeping administrative burdens to a minimum.
What you need to know
All labour hire providers – except those in industries that required licensing in the lead up to 29 January 2026 – have a 6-month grace period until 29 July 2026 to undertake requirements and become licensed by CBS.
Key requirements
- Provider responsibilities: Labour hire providers must adhere to strict standards or face penalties.
- Licensing is mandatory: Any business providing labour hire services in South Australia must hold a valid licence before operating.
- Host responsibilities: Host businesses must ensure the provider is licensed or risk penalties for using unlicensed providers.
- Worker protections: Identifiable licensees help SA and Commonwealth laws and authorities protect workers from exploitation. It supports fair pay and conditions, even when on-hired.
See more for:
- Labour hire providers and getting a licence (external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)
- Labour hire users(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)
- Workers(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)
- Report a problem(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site) – labour hire licensing
Frequently asked questions
From 29 January 2026, South Australia’s labour hire licensing laws have been extended to labour hire firms and workers across all industries.
Providers in the newly added industries have until 29 July 2026 to undertake the necessary requirements and become licensed.
Further information is available on the South Australian Government website.(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)
The following information is a general guide only. It does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for the legislation(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site).
Who needs a licence?
Do providers need to be licensed from 29 January 2026?
What industries required licenses before the change on 29 January 2026?
How long will my licence take?
What do I need before applying for a licence?
What is the objection period?
What are the licencing requirements for interstate or overseas providers?
How much is the annual licensing fee?
Can I get a subsidy or refund if previously licensed?
What are the penalties for not complying?
Can hosts also be held responsible for unlicensed providers?
How can I check if a labour hire provider is licensed?
How do I report a problem?
How to get help
CBS can investigate breaches of the labour hire licensing laws. For help with workers’ rights or to seek legal advice contact the following.
Fair Work Ombudsman(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site) – The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) provides advice and enforces worker pay and rights.
SafeWork SA(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site) – gives advice and checks that work health and safety standards are being met.
ReturnToWorkSA(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site) – ReturnToWorkSA provides work injury insurance and regulates the South Australian Return to Work scheme.
Legal Services Commission(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site)(external site) – provides free legal help (information, advice and representation) for South Australians, especially concerning pay and entitlements.
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