The Australian Government has strengthened laws to tackle migrant worker exploitation under the
Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024. Starting 1 July 2024, the
Migration Act 1958 will contain new laws to deter employers, labour hire intermediaries and others in the employment chain from using a person’s immigration status to exploit them.
Employers who seriously, deliberately or repeatedly break the law may be prevented from employing more migrant workers for a period of time. This measure is called a prohibition declaration.
The prohibition protects temporary migrants from employers found to have engaged in exploitative behaviour, and promotes compliance from employers, sponsors and third party providers.
Prohibition declarations can be made if an individual or business breaches parts of the Migration Act, Fair Work Act or sections of the Criminal Code that relate to treatment of temporary migrant workers.
Employers and labour hire intermediaries are responsible for ensuring temporary visa holders hold a valid visa and are not breaching their visa work conditions. Check workers’ visa conditions at
Visa Entitlement Verification Online.
For information on sanctioned sponsors, go to Register of sanctioned sponsors.
For information on migrant worker protections, see Migrant Worker Protections.
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