Victoria tightens rules on migrant worker housing, threatens license loss

Labor hire companies that house migrant workers in substandard accommodation now face losing their licenses and fines over $160,000 under new Victorian regulations. The Victorian Labour Hire Authority introduced these stricter license conditions following numerous cases of migrant workers being housed in poor conditions.

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We know that when accommodation is tied to employment, workers can feel unable to complain because they can be fearful of losing both their job and their housing.

The authority, which aims to prevent the exploitation of labor hire workers, has focused these new rules on businesses in sectors like horticulture and meat processing, known for high rates of worker exploitation. Inspections of worker accommodation will increase significantly.

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We saw some of the worst accommodation that we had experienced.

Erin Barlow, the authority's director of intelligence, compliance, and enforcement, stated the changes are designed to protect vulnerable workers who may fear complaining about housing due to potential job loss. She highlighted a December 2025 case where 22 migrant workers lived in unsanitary conditions, with sewage pooling and black mold, describing it as "some of the worst accommodation that we had experienced."

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We've seen for a long time that migrant workers are subjected to really appalling accommodation.

Bassina Farbenblum, co-executive director of the Migrant Justice Institute, praised the move, calling it "terrific" but stressing that "the proof will be how well it is enforced." She noted that unhygienic and overcrowded housing is "incredibly demeaning" and can harm workers' mental and physical health, with one worker describing their living situation as "not fit for an animal."

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The proof will be how well it is enforced. Hopefully we will see really strict enforcement.