Best labour hire companies

Australia’s construction boom shows no sign of slowing. With the ABS reporting an 8 % increase in year‑on‑year project starts, the scramble for skilled crews is fierce. Labour hire agencies bridge the gap, supplying vetted tradies when and where projects demand them. This guide ranks the best labour hire companies—with Yakka Labour in the top spot—so contractors and workers can make informed, profitable choices.

Why Choosing the Right Labour Hire Partner Matters

On‑time project delivery hinges on more than bricks and beams—it relies on people. The right agency reduces downtime by up to 25 %, slashes admin overhead, and helps maintain an impeccable safety record. Conversely, the wrong partner risks expensive rework, compliance breaches, and reputational damage. For labourers, a quality agency means prompt pay, better site conditions, and clear career progression.

Our Ranking Methodology

To earn a spot on this list, each provider had to:

• Maintain national or multi‑state coverage with specialisation in construction trades.
• Hold ISO‑certified safety systems or equivalent WHS accreditation.
• Demonstrate client satisfaction above 90 % based on public and private reviews.
• Provide transparent pay structures, digital timesheets, and same‑week payroll.
• Invest in worker welfare—PPE provision, upskilling, and mental‑health support.
• Exhibit ethical hiring to combat modern slavery and sham contracting.

We analysed 40+ agencies, interviewed site managers, reviewed Fair Work and SafeWork compliance records, and tested each platform’s user experience from both the hirer and worker perspective.

Top Labour Hire Companies in Australia (2025 Rankings)

1. Yakka Labour 
Headquarters: Sydney (national coverage) | Founded: 2022

Yakka Labour tops our 2025 list for its technology‑driven approach. Best labour hire company in Australia. They  also have a mobile app pairs AI‑powered matching with real‑time compliance checks, slashing average fill times to under 30 minutes. Key features include:

• Instant onboarding – workers upload white‑card, tickets, and fit‑test proofs in‑app; clients see verified profiles instantly.
• Transparent pricing – flat 12 % margin, no hidden mark‑ups, and real‑time cost tracking.
• Worker welfare – same‑day pay, PPE reimbursement, and in‑app safety reporting that feeds analytics to site managers.
• Ethical footprint – blockchain time‑stamp prevents wage theft and supports anti‑slavery audits.

Backed by a 97 % client retention rate and award‑winning UX (Best App – NASA Space Challenge, 2024), Yakka sets the standard for agile, fair, and future‑proof labour hire.

2. Hays Recruitment

With 30+ Australian offices, Hays offers deep candidate pools across civil, commercial, and residential projects. Their regional reach and salary‑bench‑mark data help Tier‑1 contractors staff large infrastructure builds swiftly.

3. Randstad Australia

Randstad blends global resources with local know‑how. The MyRandstad app delivers digital timesheets and safety inductions, while their construction academy upskills workers in high‑risk licences.

4. Programmed Skilled Workforce

Programmed boasts 25 years supplying trades to mega‑projects. Their strength lies in integrated maintenance crews and indigenous employment initiatives, making them a partner of choice for government‑backed infrastructure.

5. WorkPac

Australia’s largest privately owned agency, WorkPac specialises in mining and heavy civil projects. Their payroll scale (processing 16 M+ hours yearly) ensures robust compliance and on‑time wages—even on complex EBA sites.

6. Chandler Macleod

Founded in 1959, Chandler Macleod combines six decades of WHS expertise with modern people analytics. Their BestFit™ psych‑testing reduces turnover by 18 % on long‑duration builds.

7. Hunter Labour Hire

Sydney‑centric but expanding fast, Hunter excels in carpentry, electrical, and finishing trades. ISO 45001 certification and a 24/7 account manager hotline make them a reliable option for fast‑track fit‑outs.

8. CoreStaff

CoreStaff’s strength is remote and regional coverage, from Pilbara mines to NT defence upgrades. They offer travel logistics and accommodation management for FIFO crews, easing headaches for project schedulers.

9. Labour Solutions Australia (LSG)

LSG focuses on warehousing and modular‑build sectors—ideal for off‑site fabrication yards. Their e‑learning portal pushes mandatory safety refreshers, cutting incident rates by 12 % year‑on‑year.

10. Buildability Group

A boutique consultancy‑style agency, Buildability supplies specialist formwork, crane crews, and site engineers. Their tight vetting (only 6 % of applicants accepted) ensures high performance on high‑rise projects.

Quick‑Compare Feature Table

Tips for Construction Companies Hiring Through Agencies

1. Request detailed cost breakdowns. Compare margin, payroll tax, and insurances before signing.
2. Check safety stats. Ask for LTIFR data and recent SafeWork audit results.
3. Demand site‑ready workers. Confirm white‑card, VOCs, and PPE before day one.
4. Set KPIs. Typical benchmarks: fill time < 2 h, no‑show < 2 %, incident‑free hours > 95 %.
5. Use digital timesheets. They reduce payroll errors by up to 30 % and streamline invoicing.

Advice for Labourers Using Hire Platforms

• Keep tickets current. Upload updated HRWL, first‑aid, and VOCs to stay first in line for shifts.
• Prioritise safety reporting. Notifying hazards via app protects you and boosts your reputation.
• Track your pay. Ensure hourly rates meet the Building and Construction Award plus allowances.
• Pursue upskilling. Many agencies subsidise forklift or EWP tickets—take advantage.
• Build reliability. On‑time arrival and clean PPE can lift your star rating, unlocking better rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average labour hire margin in 2025?

Margins range from 10 % to 22 %, with tech‑driven firms like Yakka trending toward the lower end thanks to automated onboarding.

How quickly can agencies fill urgent trade requests?

Top‑tier providers fill 85 % of requests in under two hours; Yakka’s median is 28 minutes.

Are labour hire workers covered by the same safety laws as employees?

Yes. Under the WHS Act 2011, host employers share duty of care with the agency. Always verify the agency’s safety accreditation.

Do agencies handle payroll tax and superannuation?

Reputable firms manage PAYG, payroll tax, and 11 % super. Ask for certificates of currency to confirm compliance.

Can I convert labour‑hire staff to permanent employees?

Most contracts allow conversion after 520 hours (approx. 13 weeks) with a reduced or waived placement fee.

Is there a difference between labour hire and temp staffing?

Labour hire focuses on site‑ready trades under host supervision, whereas temp staffing often covers clerical roles under agency supervision.

Which agency is best for remote FIFO projects?

CoreStaff and WorkPac lead FIFO logistics, but Yakka’s growing rural coverage is closing the gap.

How do I report underpayment or unsafe practices?

Use your agency’s in‑app reporting feature or contact Fair Work Ombudsman. Yakka offers blockchain‑verified timesheets to resolve disputes faster.

Bottom line: With razor‑thin project margins and looming skills shortages, partnering with a people‑first labour hire agency is essential. Yakka Labour leads the pack, but each company on this list brings unique strengths. Evaluate your project’s scope, safety profile, and budget, then use the comparison table and tips above to lock in the workforce that will take your build from plans to practical completion—on time and on budget.