Facing the Future: Key Insights from APSCo’s Recruitment Industry Panel
Last week, our director, Martin Richardson, joined Tim Wilson, Shadow Minister for Small Business and Industrial Relations, on a panel hosted by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).
The focus of the discussion was navigating the mounting pressures on Australia’s recruitment industry.
Recruitment agencies are a lifeline for more than one million Australians searching for work per year. Yet those same agencies are feeling the pinch from growing compliance demands and regulatory complexity.
The Balancing Act
Amid these discussions, one theme stood out, recruitment agencies are constantly balancing competing pressures. On one side, the need to protect workers and uphold fair standards; on another, the reality of running a viable business; and above it all, a growing web of regulatory expectations.
Recruitment agencies sit at the centre, balancing what’s right for workers, what’s realistic for business, and what’s required by law.
Key Takeaways
Balancing employee protections with business viability: Protecting workers isn’t up for debate, but the compliance burden shouldn’t swamp agencies making a genuine effort to do right.
Getting AI workplace regulation right: Australia risks being left behind if workplace AI regulations don’t keep pace. Frameworks need to be practical, flexible, and built with honest input from those who know the sector best.
Reform means building on what works: When reform is on the agenda, it should build on what already delivers results, not wipe the slate clean and start over.
Labour hire licensing remains unclear: National labour hire licensing sounds good, but it’s anyone’s guess what it might look like. Ongoing confusion, especially with different State approaches, frustrates agencies working across Australia. Greater clarity is urgently needed.
Small agencies carry the weight of regulatory uncertainty: More than 80% of Australian recruitment agencies are micro businesses. These are hit hardest when employment laws change frequently and rarely line up with other legislation. Definitions like employee, worker, and contractor keep shifting, pulling owners into a maze of rules rather than meaningful work.
The need for smart incentives and a future-fit IR framework: It needs to be flexible, encourage productivity and support small businesses rather than deterring them.
We Want to Hear from You
If you’re a recruiter, a small business owner, or just passionate about fair work and smarter regulation, your story matters. Real experiences can make all the difference to those setting the agenda. Share your story via email martin@riskcollective.com.au, connect with Martin on LinkedIn, or book a discovery call with Martin.