Commercial Cleaning companies are now required to be registered  and organisations who use unregistered cleaning companies could be liable for a fine of up to $500,000.  If you’re a business, a body corporate or an organisation that engages cleaners within a commercial premise, you need to be aware of the new Victorian Labour Hire Authority rules which came into effect from 1 November 2019.

The scheme was established in response to the Victorian Inquiry into the Labour Hire Industry and Insecure Work which uncovered widespread abuse and exploitation of labour hire workers across Victoria.  The scheme seeks to achieve a level playing field, such that reputable  providers do not face unfair competition from unscrupulous operators, and workers are not subject to exploitation. The key elements of the licensing scheme are as follows:

• labour hire providers must be licensed to operate in Victoria
• those who use labour hire providers must only engage licensed providers
• labour hire providers must report annually on their labour hire activities.

Commercial Cleaning (along with Horticulture and Meat Processing) is an industry which has been deemed as labour hire, regardless of whether staff are employed, contracted or engaged to work at client sites.  This means commercial cleaning companies managing staff or contractors on client sites must register under the scheme.

So how does this affect you?

In line with its objectives around stamping out unfair competition, the Authority has implemented strict penalties on ‘hosts’  who continue to engage unregistered cleaning companies. Fines of up to $500,000 may be issued.  This has caught a number of businesses by surprise and we recommend you check if your current cleaner is compliant asap.  If they aren’t, they can’t trade until they are. or they are putting you at risk.

We support initiatives to enhance the professionalism of our industry and TCCS (along with our Facilities Management parent You’re Covered), are registered because our clients value peace of mind.

If you find yourself without cleaning services because your current cleaner has to stand down until their compliance is in order, we offer flexible and responsive short term solutions.

Find out more here: https://labourhireauthority.vic.gov.au/provider/industries-where-the-supply-of-workers-is-taken-to-be-labour-hire/

Is your current cleaner registered?  Check here. https://register.labourhireauthority.vic.gov.au/

Published 16.4.20