A Western Australian company has been barred from employing migrant workers for five years after the Australian Border Force (ABF) found evidence of worker exploitation.
The sanction marks the first issued under the ABF’s strengthened migration powers, which are designed to protect vulnerable migrant workers from mistreatment. The company has now been added to the public-facing Prohibited Employer Register, highlighting the serious consequences of such offences.
Launched on 1 July 2024, the register publicly names employers, sponsors, and third parties who have deliberately or repeatedly breached migration laws. Its purpose is to safeguard temporary migrants from workplace exploitation and deter others from similar conduct.
Prohibitions apply to serious breaches, including underpayment, sexual harassment, coercing workers to violate visa conditions, or forcing them to surrender passports. Companies on the register may face a five-year ban, with longer periods possible for criminal offences such as human trafficking or modern slavery. Breaching the prohibition is a criminal offence.
Authorities emphasise that this action is part of ongoing efforts to prevent the abuse of migrant workers. Members of the public with information about immigration offences, suspicious activity, or worker mistreatment are urged to report it anonymously via Border Watch.
For more details on the Prohibited Employment Register, visit here. To make an anonymous report, visit Border Watch.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided is intended as a general guide and should not be relied upon as legal or migration advice. As migration laws and regulations can change, we recommend consulting an Australian Lawyer or Registered Migration Agent for advice tailored to your circumstances.
