As many employers would be aware, Australia is a destination chosen by many immigrants who leave their countries in search of better life quality. These immigrants usually arrive in Australia on temporary visas and try to settle in the country with the intention of permanent residence.
One of the biggest challenges for these immigrants can be the language barrier and restricted working hours in Australia, which results in these immigrants accepting to work more for a lower salary and the employment conditions offered to them.
Despite being branded as an illegal practice by the Department of Home Affairs, some businesses take advantage of the situation to offer wages lower than the minimum stipulated by law, longer working hours than the permitted and payments in cash. Although it is difficult to identify such situations, these actions are considered illegal and can generate losses for the
company.
In some situations, these work situations are considered a crime and companies can be enforced serious sanctions from the Australian Border Force if caught, including shutting down.
According to an article published in July 2023 by the Australian Border Force, ABF Acting Commander Vaughan Baxter says that:
“The practice of underpaying or exploiting migrant workers has no place in Australia and employers who are taking advantage of their migrant workers should know that it will cost you”.
“The underpayment and exploitation of migrant workers is a long-standing problem that can significantly impact workers as well as damage Australia’s international reputation.”
Source: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/Employers-named-and-shamed-for-exploiting-migrant-workers-.aspx
If you are aware of any situation of exploitation of migrants, you can report to the Department of Home Affairs by using the following website: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/borderwatch