How to Spot a Fake Job Listing or a Dodgy Labour-Hire Operator

Fake job ads and unlicensed labour-hire operators are a genuine, recurring problem in the trades — here's what to watch for.

Red flags in a job listing

• Any request for payment to “secure” a job, or for training/equipment purchased upfront before you've started
• Vague company details — no ABN, no physical address, no verifiable business name
• The same ad reposted identically for months, which can indicate a lead-harvesting scheme rather than a genuine current vacancy

Checking a labour-hire operator

Genuine labour-hire businesses operating in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and the ACT are now legally required to hold a labour-hire licence. Checking the relevant state register before accepting placement through an agency is a concrete, quick way to verify it's a legitimate operator.