CONNECT:PROTECT was VRQA's 2024 regulatory campaign targeting apprentices and trainees employed by labour hire providers. The VRQA compliance and enforcement framework for regulating apprenticeships and traineeships seeks to eliminate harm, or the risk of harm, to apprentices and trainees. Data and risk analysis identified that apprentices and trainees employed by labour hire providers could be at greater risk than those with other employers.
All labour hire providers in Victoria must be licensed by the Labour Hire Authority (LHA), so we worked with them to develop the campaign.
The VRQA is Victoria's education and training regulator and upholds the legislative requirements for Victorian apprenticeships and traineeships under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. LHA protects Victorian workers from exploitation by host employers and providers of labour hire services and works to improve industry integrity.
The VRQA can investigate and, if appropriate, revoke an employer's approval to employ apprentices and trainees. LHA may also take compliance and enforcement action, including suspending or cancelling a labour hire licence, or prosecuting unlawful conduct by hosts or providers. Proactively protecting apprentices and trainees deters non-compliant behaviour from employers and protects vulnerable workers from exploitation.
About labour hire providers
Labour hire providers employ workers, then provide those workers to host employers who provide day-to-day work.
Over 7,000 apprentices and trainees are employed by licensed labour hire providers in Victoria. Around two-thirds of these apprentices and trainees are employed by Group Training Organisations (GTOs).
Host employers don't need VRQA approval, but our authorised officers have the power to enter any apprentice and trainee workplace.
All labour hire providers must ensure a safe workplace, appropriate supervision and access to tools and equipment for their apprentices and trainees. If they are not getting that from their host employer, the labour hire provider is responsible.
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