A Queensland freight company has been issued a $158,400 infringement notice for alleged breaches of the Migration Act 1958, following an extensive investigation by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers from the Department of Home Affairs.
The investigation commenced in March 2026 after employer compliance activity identified an unlawful non-citizen working at the freight company and a lawful non-citizen working in breach of their visa conditions.
The investigation involved several areas across the Department of Home Affairs led by Queensland Field Operations and included support from Supply Chain Integrity, Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Intelligence, and the Detector Dog Unit.
The unlawful non-citizen was subsequently detained then departed Australia, while the department is progressing further compliance action for the lawful non-citizen without work rights.
The employer has since paid the largest immigration compliance-related infringement notice ever issued by ABF Queensland Field Operations.
Businesses can check the work rights of prospective employees through Home Affairs' Visa Entitlement Verification Online system to ensure they do not unintentionally allow work unlawfully.
Employers who breach migration laws face serious penalties, including infringement notices, civil prosecution and potential public declaration as a prohibited employer.
The Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024, which commenced on 1 July 2024, increased the ABF's employer compliance powers and introduced tougher penalties for employers who exploit migrant workers or allow a non-citizen to work unlawfully.
Non-citizens without a visa are liable for detention and removal from Australia. If you are an unlawful non-citizen or unsure of your visa status, contact the Immigration Status Resolution Service as soon as possible for confidential assistance to resolve your situation. Interpreters are available: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/status-resolution-service/overview.
Anyone with information relating to potential immigration offences, suspicious activity or unlawful work practices is encouraged to report it online at Border Watch. Reports can be made anonymously.
Acting Commander Field Operation and Sponsor Monitoring Tim Thorley said the ABF takes a zero-tolerance approach to employers who fail to meet their obligations under Australia's migration laws.
“Every employer has a responsibility to ensure the people they hire have the legal right to work in Australia. Taking reasonable steps to verify work rights before employing someone is not optional – it is an essential legal obligation," Acting Commander Thorley said
“Checking a worker's visa status has never been easier through our online verification systems, but the consequences for businesses that fail to do so have never been greater."
