CONNECT:PROTECT

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

The CONNECT:PROTECT hotline is now closed but our Authorised officers continue to investigate and confirm that labour hire employers are meeting their training contract obligations.

Any apprentice, trainee or employer can contact us on 1300 722 603 or at vrqa.apprenticeships@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.