Illegal workers found living in Cairns businesses

Vulnerable migrants have been found residing in workplaces and accepting illegal wages from employers following a three-day sweep of the region, including the Cairns CBD, authorities say.

Australian Border Force officers conducting compliance checks in the Cairns CBD. Imaged Supplied.

Vulnerable migrants have been found residing in workplaces and accepting illegal wages from employers following a three-day sweep of the region, including the Cairns CBD, authorities say.

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers from the Department of Home Affairs visited more than 20 businesses with three individuals without work rights found to be employed in, and in some cases, living within businesses.

Two of the workers were granted bridging visas to facilitate their voluntary departure from Australia, while the third will be deported.

During the investigation, officers from the Field Operations and Sponsor Monitoring (FOSM) command conducted coordinated compliance activities across the Cairns region, with a strong focus on the personal services and hospitality sectors.

Field operations superintendent Melati Smith said the deployment aimed to protect vulnerable migrant workers and remind employers of their obligations.

“Our officers are trained to pivot between enforcement and support,” Superintendent Smith said. “We are uncompromising on non-compliant employers while remaining sensitive and compassionate when engaging exploited individuals.”

It is understood that immigration compliance field officers are considering significant penalties for the businesses that have failed to adhere to work-related provisions in the Migration Act.

Superintendent Smith said the outcomes of the Cairns operations reaffirmed the need for an ongoing national focus on industries where migrant workers remain at risk of exploitation.

Employers found to be engaging illegal workers face serious consequences under strengthened provisions of the Migration Act.

These may include compliance notices, enforceable undertakings, increased penalties, civil or criminal prosecution, and in some cases, prohibition from employing further migrant workers.

Superintendent Smith said businesses can check the work rights of prospective employees through Home Affairs’ visa entitlement verification system online to ensure they don’t break the law.

Employers contravening work related offences under the Migration Act 1958 can face infringement notices up to $15,840 for individuals per offence.

If the matter is taken to court, the penalty per offence can be up to two years imprisonment or $118,800, or both.

Anyone with information relating to potential immigration offences or suspicious activity is encouraged to contact Home Affairs and make a report online at Border Watch.

Reports can be made anonymously.

Originally published as Illegal workers found living in Cairns businesses