New laws to target dishonest employers

New laws introduced on 1 July 2024 make it illegal for employers to use a person's visa status to exploit them at work. The Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024 covers a broad range of exploitative behaviour, including underpayment, threats to cancel a visa, forced passport surrender, inadequate housing, and sexual coercion.

This resource is useful for migrant workers seeking to understand their rights and for services supporting people experiencing workplace exploitation.