Skip to content
Solved

NMWM16260 | Disclosure of information: Fair Work Agency for Gangmaster's licensing

From HM Revenue & Customs · National Minimum Wage Manual

Relevant legislation

The legislation that applies to this page is as follows:

  • Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 section 19

General

The Gangmaster's and Labour Abuse Authority (formerly Gangmasters Licensing Authority) (NMWM06130) was established in April 2005 and that work is being undertaken by the Fair Work Agency from April 2026. They are responsible for introducing and operating a licensing scheme for gangmasters who supply or use temporary labour for:

  • agricultural work;

  • gathering shellfish; and

  • related food, fish and shellfish processing and packaging

Licenses were issued from April 2006 and it became an offence from 1 October 2006 to:

  • operate as a gangmaster without a license; or

  • use the services of an unlicensed gangmaster.

Section 19 of the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 allows specified officers in HM Revenue & Customs (NMWM02030) to share information with the Gangmaster's and Labour Abuse Authority in certain circumstances.

Only NMW Risk Profiling Team may disclose National Minimum Wage information

NMW Risk Profiling Team (NMWM02040) will act as the single point of contact for the FWA in relation to Gangmaster's Licensing to obtain National Minimum Wage information and for them to pass information to National Minimum Wage.

If an officer from the FWA asks you for information, you must pass on this request to the NMW Risk Profiling Team who will reply. Should you require information from the FWA you should submit your request for the information through NMW Risk Profiling Team.

Disclosure of information can be made to the FWA where it will help them to identify individuals in breach of the licensing conditions or the following offences against the Act:

  • operating as an unlicensed gangmaster;

  • being in possession of a false document;

  • using the services of an unlicensed gangmaster

Disclosure of information which may be relevant to Gangmaster's and Labour Abuse Authority should be made to NMW Risk Profiling Team on form NMW8.