Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2025-09-04-suburban-sydney-visa-monitoring-media-release
At a glance
- Penalty
- $118,800
What happened
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and Australian Border Force (ABF) conducted surprise inspections of approximately 40 businesses in Sydney, including Blacktown, Cabramatta, Chatswood, the Hills District, Hurstville, and Parramatta. The inspections targeted businesses in the fast food, restaurants, cafés, hair and beauty, and health services sectors, many employing workers with Temporary Skills Shortage (subclass 482) visas. Inspectors checked time and wage records, recent job advertisements, and provided information on workplace laws, including the right to disconnect. The ABF also ensured visa holders were not exploited and worked in their nominated positions.
What was decided
The FWO and ABF inspections aimed to ensure compliance with workplace laws and protect vulnerable migrant workers. The FWO emphasized that visa holders have the same workplace rights as Australian citizens and that protections exist for those who report exploitation. The ABF reinforced that Australia will not tolerate the exploitation of migrant workers or abuse of visa programs. Employers are encouraged to use available resources to ensure compliance and check employee work rights using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system.
What it means for employers
Employers, particularly in the fast food, restaurants, and cafés sectors, need to prioritize compliance with workplace laws and ensure migrant workers are paid correctly and receive their entitlements. They should utilize the FWO's free tools and resources and verify employee work rights using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system. Failure to do so can result in severe consequences.
What it means for employees
Visa holders have the same workplace rights as Australian workers and should be aware of these rights. They are encouraged to report any concerns about wages or entitlements to the FWO without fear of repercussions, as protections for visas exist for those who speak out against workplace exploitation.
Every statement above is drawn from the published decision. Read the original here:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2025-media-releases/september-2025/20250904-suburban-sydney-visa-monitoring-media-releaseWant more cases like this?
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This summary was drafted by AI from the published decision and reviewed before publishing. It is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, speak to the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified lawyer. About these summaries & corrections →