Perth Labour Hire: Complete Employer Guide
Everything Perth builders and contractors need to know about using labour hire in 2026 — how it works, what it costs, and how to get the best results.
How Labour Hire Works
A labour hire agency employs the worker and supplies them to your site. You pay one all-inclusive hourly rate covering base pay, casual loading, superannuation, workers comp insurance, payroll tax, and agency margin. The worker works under your direction but remains the agency’s employee.
Current Perth Rates
Labourers: $38-$48/hr. Trade assistants: $42-$52/hr. Carpenters: $55-$68/hr. Electricians: $58-$72/hr. Plumbers: $55-$68/hr. Plant operators: $50-$70/hr. Crane operators: $75-$95/hr.
Your Legal Obligations
As the host employer, you must provide a safe workplace, adequate supervision, and site induction. The agency handles payroll, super, workers comp, and employment obligations. Both parties share WHS duties under the WHS Act 2020.
When to Use Labour Hire vs Direct Hire
Labour hire for: project-based work under 3 months, surge periods, covering absences, trialling workers before permanent offers. Direct hire for: core team members, long-term roles, key supervisory positions.
Choosing the Right Agency
Specialisation matters. Construction-specialist agencies like PerthTrades have deeper candidate pools, better screening processes, and faster turnaround than generalist agencies. See our full comparison guide.