Rogue operators will be targeted by Queensland’s new regulations for labour hire companies.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk addressed a Labour Day rally in Brisbane this week to announce new mandatory licencing laws to be introduced to parliament in May.

Companies will be required to report regularly on their operations and pass a fit-and-proper-person test, to ensure ethical operators can compete fairly.

Ms Palaszczuk said a single firm was found last month to have underpaid workers $77,000 over a matter of weeks.

“You need a licence to operate a real estate agency or to be a car dealer, so why shouldn't you need a licence to run a labour hire firm?” the premier asked.

The licencing scheme will include penalties including criminal prosecution for offenders.

Queensland Council of Unions General Secretary Ros McLennan said the changes would cover over 100,000 workers.

“We've heard shocking stories of workers on labour hire arrangements being underpaid thousands and thousands of dollars, and it's got to stop,” she said.

Queensland unions are calling for similar regulations to be introduced nationwide.