CONNECT:PROTECT

The labour hire apprentices and trainees campaign

Are you an apprentice or trainee employed by a labour hire provider and not getting a fair go?

CONNECT:PROTECT is our joint campaign with the Labour Hire Authority.

The VRQA and Labour Hire Authority (LHA) are committed to protecting apprentices and trainees employed through labour hire arrangements from exploitation.

We work together and share information to prevent harm.

CONNECT:PROTECT hotline

From Wednesday 6 November the CONNECT:PROTECT hotline is open.

Call the CONNECT:PROTECT hotline on (03) 7022 5888.

The hotline is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday. But you can leave a message anytime. Your call can remain anonymous.

You can also email CONNECT:PROTECT at vrqa.campaigns@education.vic.gov.au.

Protecting the rights of apprentices and trainees employed by labour hire providers

All apprentices and trainees must have:

  • a safe workplace
  • appropriate supervision
  • access to the tools and equipment needed to learn the skills required for their qualification.

If your labour hire employer is not providing this, we can help.

We can investigate and, if appropriate, revoke an employer’s approval to have apprentices and trainees. Find out more about what we can do for apprentices and trainees.

The LHA may also act, including suspending or cancelling a labour hire licence, or prosecuting unlawful conduct by hosts or providers. The LHA labour hire workers page has more information.

During the campaign, our authorised officers will check-in and visit labour hire providers to make sure they are doing the right thing. They will request the details of host employers and the sites where apprentices and trainees are working.

Help promote CONNECT:PROTECT

Download these resources to help promote the campaign.

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