Australian Border Force (ABF) officers from the Department of Home Affairs carried out a targeted, three-day operation across the Cairns region aimed at stamping out migrant worker exploitation and ensuring employer compliance with visa conditions.
The coordinated campaign, led by immigration compliance officers from the Field Operations and Sponsor Monitoring (FOSM) command and bolstered by partner agencies, focused primarily on the personal services and hospitality industries—sectors identified as high-risk for worker mistreatment.
“Protecting vulnerable migrant workers, reminding employers of their legal obligations and assisting those in need were the three pillars of our deployment,” said Superintendent Melati Smith, who oversees Field Operations in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
“Our officers are trained to pivot between enforcement and support—we are uncompromising on non-compliant employers, while remaining sensitive and compassionate when engaging exploited individuals.”
Over the course of the operation, more than 20 businesses were inspected. Officers uncovered multiple breaches of the Migration Act, including the employment—and in some instances the on-site residence—of three individuals without work rights. Two of those workers were granted bridging visas to allow them to depart Australia voluntarily, while the third person has been placed on a formal removal pathway.
Immigration compliance field officers are now considering issuing substantial infringement notices to the non-compliant businesses, which face penalties under the strengthened provisions of the Migration Act. Possible sanctions range from enforceable undertakings and civil penalties to criminal prosecution and prohibition from hiring overseas workers in the future.
“These results reaffirm the need for an ongoing national focus on industries where migrant workers remain at risk of exploitation,”
Superintendent Smith said.
She also urged employers to verify visa entitlements before hiring through the Home Affairs’ Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system, saying,
“It has never been easier for employers to do the right thing.”
The ABF encourages anyone with information on potential immigration offences or suspicious activity to report via the Border Watch portal. Reports may be made anonymously.
Key outcomes of the Cairns operation:
- 20+ businesses inspected
- Three undocumented workers were discovered (two granted bridging visas; one on removal pathway)
- Multiple visa and employment contraventions identified
- Infringements and prosecutions under consideration against non-compliant employers
This operation underscores the ABF’s dual mission: safeguarding Australia’s migration system while protecting the rights and welfare of overseas workers.
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