Submitting an application
| Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 |
Make sure you’ve got all your documents ready to apply | Apply for your licence and pay licence fee | Application granted within 4-6 weeks |
Who needs to apply
Under the Employment Agents Act 1976, you need an employment agent’s licence in Western Australia if you run an employment agency and charge a fee to help people find work or to help businesses find employees (full‑time, part‑time or occasional), including where you place someone in a job and charge the employer a fee or ongoing payment, even if the worker does not pay you directly. This includes businesses and individuals operating as:
- employment agencies or employment brokers
- booking, babysitting, housesitting or cleaning agencies
Before you apply
1. You'll need
- Proof of identification ready to upload.
- A police check ready to upload (dated within the past 3 months, showing the same name as your identification).
- Two-character references for the individual or nominated licence holder, completed using the approved pro forma.
- A Notice of employment offered.
- Scale of fees (see Scale of fees section below).
- A certificate of registration of the business name
- A current résumé
- Visa/Mastercard for fee payment.
2. Complete application form
- Individual application form
- Body corporate/partnership application form
- Note: The Act does not allow a licence to be issued to a partnership or company. If the business is run by a partnership or company, the licence will be issued to an individual (such as an employee, company officer or partner) on behalf of the business.
By post or in person
| By Post | In Person |
|---|---|
If posting your application and Post to: Licensing Services |
Customer Service |
After your application has been submitted
Licence applications typically take 4-6 weeks to process. We’ll contact you if we need any additional information, and you’ll receive an email once your licence has been finalised.
Already have a licence in South Australia or ACT?
Show moreIf you are registered or licensed as an employment agent in South Australia or ACT, and want to carry out work in Western Australia, you can find out more information about having your licence recognised in WA.
Scales of fees
Show morePlease refer to the scale of fees for employment agent's template.
You must provide details of the fees and charges you intend to apply to clients. The information below is provided as guidance only.
Permanent staff
You must specify:
- The maximum fee chargeable (as a percentage of the first year’s gross salary, charged once only)
- Any different rates that may apply based on role, location or circumstances
- Confirmation that only the employer is liable to pay the fee
- The time for payment (number of days from invoice)
- If an employee leaves employment within the agreed period and you are notified in writing, you must also state whether a replacement guarantee applies and the conditions of that guarantee.
- You must also disclose:
- Whether advertising costs are included in the engagement fee
- That any additional expenses are charged at cost
Temporary and casual staff
You must specify:
- The maximum fee chargeable (as a percentage of the first year’s gross salary, charged once only)
- The rate structure, including any variations
- Confirmation that only the employer is liable to pay the fee
- The time for payment
- If applicable, you must state whether a replacement guarantee applies and under what conditions.
- All advertising and additional expenses must be clearly disclosed and charged at cost.
- This information is intended as guidance only. You may use a different format, provided all required details are clearly set out.
Exemptions
Show moreYou do not need to hold an employment agent’s licence if you operate as:
- a newspaper publication
- a labour hire company
- a Disability Employment Service Provider engaged under the Disability Services Grant Agreement with the Commonwealth (as prescribed by the Employment Agents Exemption Order 2002)
- a person licensed under another Act of Parliament to handle the employment of seamen
- a State or Commonwealth Government department or instrumentality
- Other exemptions may be granted by Order in Council made by the Governor.
Licence/registration search
Show moreThe online licence search can help you find a licensed employment agent or check your licence status.
How to use the online licence search
Search by number: You can check if a licence number is still valid. Type the number into the field on the opening screen.
Search by type of licence: You can look for licensed people in your neighbourhood. Click on ‘Type’. Start typing in the licence type in the box eg. debt collector. Then type in either a name or location.
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