Guidance

How to apply for or renew a gangmaster's licence

How to apply for or renew a licence to provide or use workers in agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering, or processing and packaging of food or drink. 

• From: Fair Work Agency and Department for Business and Trade
• Published: 7 April 2026

Documents

How to apply for or renew a gangmaster's licence

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A gangmaster is a person or business that supplies workers to agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering, or processing and packaging of food or drink sectors in the UK.

You might also a gangmaster if you use workers in specific ways in shellfishing, or buy a crop and use your own or other workers to harvest, process or pack it.

This guidance explains more about who needs a gangmaster’s licence, and how to get or renew one.

Published 7 April 2026