More than 2,000 labour hire workers employed by BHP in Central Queensland will be paid thousands of dollars more, in a major test of the federal government's laws requiring they be paid the same as directly employed workers.

In short:

BHP has been ordered to pay labour hire workers at three Queensland coal mines the same as their directly employed peers.

The mining company has previously warned changes to industrial relations law could risk jobs.

What’s next?

Australian Resources and Energy Association says the ruling could cost BHP around $1.3 billion.