The Australian Government has urged foreign workers and temporary visa holders to report cases of workplace exploitation and illegal employment practices, assuring them that reports can be made anonymously and confidentially through official channels.
The announcement follows a major enforcement action against a labour broker in New South Wales who was fined $540,000 for breaching migration and employment laws.
Authorities stressed that migrant workers who fear retaliation or visa consequences can safely report illegal work practices without revealing their identity.
Reports can be submitted through Border Watch, the Australian Border Force’s online reporting platform for visa breaches and worker exploitation: https://www.abf.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/borderwatch
Officials said the system is designed to protect whistleblowers and ensure investigations can proceed without risking workers’ safety.
NSW Labour Broker Hit With Record $540,000 Fine
The enforcement action was taken following an investigation concluded on 29 January, when a NSW-based labour broker received the largest infringement notice ever issued to an individual under Australia’s updated Migration Act enforcement laws.
The broker was found to be operating a large-scale illegal labour hire enterprise across multiple regional NSW locations.
Investigators uncovered that the operation involved
- Employing temporary visa holders and unlawful non-citizens
- Providing overcrowded and substandard accommodation
- Systematically underpaying workers
Running several companies and properties in regional New South Wales
These findings highlighted ongoing risks faced by vulnerable migrant workers in unregulated labour hire arrangements.
Government Warning to Employers and Labour Brokers
Immigration and border authorities reiterated that businesses and labour brokers who exploit migrant workers face severe financial penalties and possible criminal prosecution.
The exploitation of migrant workers will not be tolerated. Individuals who profit from illegal labour hire practices will be held accountable under the law,” a government spokesperson said.