Employment Agencies Act 1973
1973 c.35C1An Act to regulate employment agencies and businesses; and for connected purposes.
Licences¶
F11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶
F22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶
F33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶
F11Prohibition orders¶
F43A Power to make orders.¶
- “director”, in relation to a body corporate whose affairs are controlled by its members, means a member of the body corporate; and
- “specified”, in relation to a prohibition order, means specified in the order.
F63B Enforcement.¶
Any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a prohibition order shall be guilty of an offence and liable —F73C Variation and revocation of orders.¶
F93D Appeals.¶
Conduct of employment agencies and employment businesses¶
5 General regulations.¶
6 Restriction on charging persons seeking employment, etc.¶
F147 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶
Supplementary provisions¶
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F15¶
F768A Appointment of officers¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F779 Inspection.¶
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Fraudulent applications and entries.¶
11 Offences by bodies corporate.¶
11A Offences: extension of time limit.¶
F6911B Offences: cost of investigation.¶
The court in which a person is convicted of an offence under this Act may order him to pay to the Secretary of State a sum which appears to the court not to exceed the costs of the investigation which resulted in the conviction.12 Regulations and orders.¶
E113 Interpretation.¶
- F20...
- “employment” includes—
- employment by way of a professional engagement or otherwise under a contract for services;
- the reception in a private household of a person under an arrangement whereby that person is to assist in the domestic work of the household in consideration of receiving hospitality and pocket money or hospitality only;
and “worker” and “employer” shall be construed accordingly; - “employment agency” has the meaning assigned by subsection (2) of this section but does not include any arrangements, services, functions or business to which this Act does not apply by virtue of subsection (7) of this section;
- “employment business” has the meaning assigned by subsection (3) of this section but does not include any arrangements, services, functions or business to which this Act does not apply by virtue of subsection (7) of this section;
- “fee” includes any charge however described;
- F20...
- F21...
- “local authority” in relation to England F22..., means a county council, F23..., the Common Council of the City of London, a district council or a London borough council and in relation to Wales, means a county council or a county borough council and, in relation to Scotland means a council constituted under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994;
- “organisation” includes an association of organisations;
- “organisation of employers” means an organisation which consists wholly or mainly of employers and whose principal objects include the regulation of relations between employers and workers or organisations of workers;
- “organisation of workers” means an organisation which consists wholly or mainly of workers and whose principal objects include the regulation of relations between workers and employers or organisations of employers;
- “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made under this Act by the Secretary of State;
- “prohibition order” has the meaning given by section 3A(2) of this Act;
- F20...
Provided that paragraph (b) of this subsection shall not be taken as exempting from the provisions of this Act any other business carried on in conjunction with an agency for the supply of nurses.
14 Short title, repeals, commencement and extent.¶
SCHEDULE ¶
REPEALS
PART I ¶
| PUBLIC GENERAL ACTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
| 7 Edw. 7.c. 53. | The Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1907. | Section 85. |
PART II ¶
Footnotes
- C1Act excluded by S.I. 1979/1741
- F1S. 1 repealed (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 35, 81, Sch. 10 Pt. I para. 1(2), Sch. 17; S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- F2S. 2 repealed (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 35, 81, Sch. 10 Pt. I para. 1(2), Sch. 17; S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- F3S. 3 repealed (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 35, 81, Sch. 10 Pt. I para. 1(2), Sch. 17; S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- F4S. 3A inserted (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, s. 35, Sch. 10 Pt. I para. 1(3); S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- F5Words in s. 3A(1)(4)-(6) substituted (1.8.1998) by 1998 c. 8, s. 1(2)(a); S.I. 1998/1658, art. 2(1), Sch. 1
- F6S. 3B inserted (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, s. 35, Sch. 10 Pt. I para. 1(3); S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- F7S. 3C inserted (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, s. 35, Sch. 10 Pt. I para. 1(3); S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- F8Words in s. 3C substituted (1.8.1998) by 1998 c. 8, s. 1(2)(a); S.I. 1998/1658, art. 2(1), Sch.
- F9S. 3D inserted (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, s. 35, Sch. 10 Pt. I para. 1(3); S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- F10Words in s. 3D substituted (1.8.1998) by 1998 c. 8, s. 1(2)(a); S.I. 1998/1658, art. 2(1), Sch. 1
- M11992 c. 53.
- F11Crossheading inserted (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, s. 35, Sch. 10 Pt. I para. 1(3); S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- F12S. 5(1)(ea)(eb)(ec) substituted (25.10.1999) for s. 5(f)(g) and the proviso by 1999 c. 26, s. 31, Sch. 7 paras. 1, 2(2); S.I. 1999/2830, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I
- F13S. 5(1A) inserted (25.10.1999) by 1999 c. 26, ss. 31, 45(1), Sch. 7 paras. 1, 2(3); S.I. 1999/2830, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I
- F14S. 7 repealed (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, s 81, Sch. 17; S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- F15Ss. 2(4), 8 repealed by Employment Protection Act 1975 (c. 71), Sch. 18
- F16S. 10(1) repealed (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, s. 81, Sch. 17; S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- F17Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G
- F18S. 11A inserted (25.10.1999) by 1999 c. 26, s. 31, Sch. 7 paras. 1, 5; S.I. 1999/2830, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I
- M21980 c. 43.
- M31995 c. 46.
- F19S. 12(5)(6) substituted (25.10.1999) for s. 12(5) by 1999 c. 26, ss. 31, 45(1), Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6; S.I. 1999/2830, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I
- E1This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only.
- F20Definitions in s. 13(1) repealed (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, s. 81, Sch. 17; S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- F21Definition repealed by Employment Protection Act 1975 (c. 71), Sch. 18
- F22Words in s. 13(1) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, ss. 66(6)(8), Sch. 16 para. 41, Sch. 18 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2
- F23Words repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1),s. 102, Sch. 17
- F24Words in s. 13(1) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(6), Sch. 16 para. 41 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2
- F25Words substituted by Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c. 65), Sch. 27 Pt. II para. 208(b)
- F26Words in s. 13(1) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 90; S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)
- F27Definition in s. 13(1) inserted (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, s. 35, Sch. 10 Pt. I para. 1(5); S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- F28Word repealed by Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984 (c. 46, SIF 96), s. 57(1)(2), Sch. 5 para. 27, Sch. 6
- F29Word “or” and s. 13(4)(c) substituted for s.13(4)(c)(d) by Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42, SIF 96), s. 203(1), Sch. 20 para. 18
- M41972 c. 70.
- F30Words substituted (E.W.) by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 123(6), Sch. 8 Pt. I paras. 7, 16
- F31S. 13(7)(b)(c) and proviso repealed (1.4.2003 for E.) by 2000 c. 14, ss. 111(2), 117(2), 122, Sch. 6; S.I. 2001/3852, art. 3(8)(b)(c) (subject to transitional provisions in Sch. 1) (which commencing S.I. is amended by: S.I. 2002/1790, art. 2; S.I. 2002/2001, arts. 2, 3; S.I. 2002/3210, art. 2)
- F32S. 13(7)(e) repealed (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, s. 81, Sch. 17; S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- C2S. 13(7)(f) extended by S.I. 1985/1884, art. 10, Sch. 3 para. 4(j)
- C3S. 13(7)(f) amended by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), 57(7), Sch. 13 para. 13(e)
- C4S. 13(7)(f) extended by S.I. 1987/2110, art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 8(g)
- C5S. 13(7)(f) extended (5.7.1994) by 1994 c. 19, ss. 39, 66(2), Sch. 13 para. 20(d) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2))
- F33Words substituted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 84, Sch. 14 para. 50
- F34S. 13(7)(ff) inserted (E.W.) by Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988 (c. 4, SIF 81:1), s. 21, Sch. 6 para. 11
- F35S. 13(7)(fg) inserted (23.11.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 78, Sch. 10 para. 11 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7); S.I. 1995/2950, art. 2(1)
- F36S. 13(7)(ga) inserted (1.4.1994 in relation to England and Scotland and 1.4.1995 for all other purposes) by 1993 c. 19, s. 49(2), Sch. 8 para. 4; S.I. 1993/2503, art. 2(3), Sch. 3
- M51962 c. 47.
- F37S. 13(7)(i) substituted (25.10.1999) by 1999 c. 26, s. 31, Sch. 7 paras. 1, 8; S.I. 1999/2850, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I
- E2This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales only.
- F38Definitions in s. 13(1) repealed (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, s. 81, Sch. 17; S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- F39Definition repealed by Employment Protection Act 1975 (c. 71), Sch. 18
- F40Words in s. 13(1) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(6)(8), Sch. 16 para. 41, Sch. 18 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2
- F41Words repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1),s. 102, Sch. 17
- F42Words in s. 13(1) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(6), Sch. 16 para. 41 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2
- F43Words substituted by Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c. 65), Sch. 27 Pt. II para. 208(b)
- F44Words in s. 13(1) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 90; S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)
- F45Definition in s. 13(1) inserted (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, s. 35, Sch. 10 Pt. I para. 1(5); S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- F46Word repealed by Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984 (c. 46, SIF 96), s. 57(1)(2), Sch. 5 para. 27, Sch. 6
- F47Word “or” and s. 13(4)(c) substituted for s.13(4)(c)(d) by Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42, SIF 96), s. 203(1), Sch. 20 para. 18
- M61972 c. 70.
- F48S. 13(7)(e) repealed (3.1.1995) by 1994 c. 40, s. 81, Sch. 17; S.I. 1994/3188, arts. 2, 3
- C6S. 13(7)(f) extended by S.I. 1985/1884, art. 10, Sch. 3 para. 4(j)
- C7S. 13(7)(f) amended by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), 57(7), Sch. 13 para. 13(e)
- C8S. 13(7)(f) extended by S.I. 1987/2110, art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 8(g)
- F49Words in s. 13(7)(f) inserted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 84, Sch. 14 para. 50
- F50S. 13(7)(fa) inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 325, Sch. 27 para. 37 (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1648, art. 2, Sch.
- F51S. 13(7)(ga) inserted (1.4.1994 in relation to England and Scotland and 1.4.1995 for all other purposes) by 1993 c. 19, s. 49(2), Sch. 8 para. 4; S.I. 1993/2503, art. 2(3), Sch. 3
- M71962 c. 47.
- F52S. 13(7)(i) substituted (25.10.1999) by 1999 c. 26, s. 31, Sch. 7 paras. 1, 8; S.I. 1999/2850, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 Pt. I
- X1The text of s. 14(2) and Sch. is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
- P1Power of appointment conferred by s. 14(4) exercised by S.I. 1976/709
- F53S. 13(7)(b)(c) and proviso repealed (1.4.2003 for E. and 2.10.2003 for W.) by Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14), ss. 111(2), 117(2), 122, Sch. 6; S.I. 2001/3852, art. 3(8)(b)(c) (subject to transitional provisions in Sch. 1) (which commencing S.I. is amended by: S.I. 2002/1790, art. 2; S.I. 2002/2001, arts. 2, 3; S.I. 2002/3210, art. 2); S.I. 2003/2528, art. 2(b)(c)
- F54Word in s. 13(2) substituted (6.4.2004) by Employment Relations Act 1999 (c. 26), s. 45(1), Sch. 7 para. 7; S.I. 2003/3357, art. 4
- F55S. 6(1) substituted (6.4.2004) by Employment Relations Act 1999 (c. 26), s. 45(1), Sch. 7 para. 3; S.I. 2003/3357, art. 3
- F56Words in s. 13(7)(f) repealed (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8)(8), Sch. 4 para. 19, 17 Pt. 2; S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. paras. 10, 13(i)
- C9Act excluded (1.10.2006 for specified purposes, 6.4.2007 for specified purposes) by Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 (c. 11), ss. 27, 29(1); S.I. 2006/2406, art. 2(f); S.I. 2007/695, art. 2(d)
- F57S. 11(1): s. 11 renumbered as s. 11(1) (6.4.2009) by Employment Act 2008 (c. 24), ss. 17(a), 22(1)(e)
- F58S. 11(2) inserted (6.4.2009) by Employment Act 2008 (c. 24), ss. 17(b), 22(1)(e)
- F59Words in s. 11A(1) repealed (6.4.2009) by Employment Act 2008 (c. 24), s. 22(1)(e), Sch. Pt. 5
- F60Words in s. 11A(3) repealed (6.4.2009) by Employment Act 2008 (c. 24), s. 22(1)(e), Sch. Pt. 5
- F61Words in s. 3B substituted (6.4.2009) by Employment Act 2008 (c. 24), ss. 15, 22(1)(e)
- F62Words in s. 5(2) substituted (6.4.2009) by Employment Act 2008 (c. 24), ss. 15, 22(1)(e)
- F63Words in s. 6(2) substituted (6.4.2009) by Employment Act 2008 (c. 24), ss. 15, 22(1)(e)
- F64S. 13(7)(fzb)(fzc) inserted (17.12.2009) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), s. 148(6), Sch. 6 para. 40; S.I. 2009/3318, art. 2(c)
- F65Words in s. 13(7)(f) omitted (16.1.2012) by virtue of Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13) , s. 157(1) , Sch. 16 para. 118(a) ; S.I. 2011/3019 , art. 3 , Sch. 1 (with Sch. 2 para. 38 )
- F66S. 13(7)(fa)-(fd) substituted for s. 13(7)(fa) (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13) , s. 157(1) , Sch. 16 para. 118(b) ; S.I. 2011/3019 , art. 3 , Sch. 1 (with Sch. 2 para. 38 )
- F67S. 13(7)(ca) inserted (1.4.2014 for specified purposes, 1.9.2014 in so far as not already in force) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 4 para. 64; S.I. 2014/889, art. 3(m)
- F68S. 13(7)(fza) omitted (26.5.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 13 para. 6(8); S.I. 2015/994, art. 6(g)
- F69S. 11B inserted (6.4.2004) by Employment Relations Act 1999 (c. 26), ss. 31,s. 45(1), Sch. 7 para. 5; S.I. 2003/3357, art. 3
- F70Words in s. 13(7)(f) repealed by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), s. 231(7), 235(6), 237(2), Sch. 13 Pt. I
- F71Words in s. 13(7)(f) repealed by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), s. 231(7), 235(6), 237(2), Sch. 13 Pt. I
- F72S. 13(7)(fi) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 33; S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38
- F73S. 13(7)(fh) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.4.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 2 para. 48; S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)
- F74S. 13(7)(fzd) inserted (E.W.) (26.12.2023) by Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(2)(c), Sch. 4 para. 53 (with s. 247)
- F75S. 13(3)-(3B) substituted for s. 13(3) (6.1.2026 for specified purposes) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), ss. 36, 159(3); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(17)
- F76S. 8A omitted (7.4.2026) by virtue of Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 10 para. 2 (with s. 147, Sch. 11); S.I. 2026/323, reg. 4(1)(55)(a)
- F77S. 9 omitted (7.4.2026) by virtue of Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 10 para. 3 (with s. 147, Sch. 11); S.I. 2026/323, reg. 4(1)(55)(a)
- F78Words in s. 11A(1) omitted (7.4.2026) by virtue of Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 10 para. 4(2) (with s. 147, Sch. 11); S.I. 2026/323, reg. 4(1)(55)(a)
- F79Words in s. 11A(3) omitted (7.4.2026) by virtue of Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 10 para. 4(3) (with s. 147, Sch. 11); S.I. 2026/323, reg. 4(1)(55)(a)