Victoria: labour-hire host resources for rural and animal businesses

Key facts

Resource jurisdiction

Victoria; labour-hire host licensing and legislative transition [source]

Start with the host relationship

The authority describes a host as a business engaging workers through a labour-hire provider and says hosts must use licensed providers. Its guidance applies across industries, with additional sector-specific material for certain activities. A farm, kennel or dog-service operator should describe the supply arrangement before deciding what category it falls into. The business receiving the work, the entity supplying workers and the entity paying them are important facts; a service invoice alone is not a complete explanation.

Read the October 2026 warning

The host page identifies changes to the statutory definition from 1 October 2026 and warns that supporting regulations are not yet in force and some website guidance may not fully reflect the updated framework. That warning is a reason to use the authority’s current transition information for an actual enquiry. Do not apply an older exemption example as though no legislative change occurred, or assume this short guide can resolve every commencement and transitional issue.

Verify the provider’s actual identity

The host checklist directs users to the official register and advises against relying on paper licence documents. It also asks hosts to verify that the business offering services matches the licensed entity and to retain checks. The Follow My Providers service can notify users of status changes. For a rural assignment, keep the legal name alongside the work location and role information so that any later enquiry can identify the arrangement rather than only a trading nickname.

Licensing does not replace workplace planning

Clarify who supervises livestock or dog tasks, how the provider and host communicate about the work and where a worker raises concerns. The authority discusses shared workplace-safety responsibilities as well as licensing, while pay coverage still needs its own relevant source. A licensed provider is not a universal endorsement of every contract term. This resource page does not decide whether a particular business needs a licence under the changing framework or promise that using an agency transfers all responsibility away from the host.

Common questions

Sources & further reading

References for this guide. Rules and services can change; check the responsible organisation for current details.

• Victorian Labour Hire Authority — hosts, obligations and October 2026 warning (opens in a new tab)
• Victorian Labour Hire Authority — horticulture hosts (opens in a new tab)

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