Employing Legal Workers - New Laws from 1 June 2013

[Jessica Berry]

I keep hearing the advert on the radio regarding the new laws surrounding employing legal workers, so thought I would have a look....

 

 

 

[h=1]Employing Legal Workers[/h]It is the responsibility of all businesses to employ legal workers. Legal workers are Australian citizens, permanent residents and non-citizens with Australian visas that allow them to work.

 

Some visas, for example some visitor visas do not allow non-citizens to work while they are in Australia. People who no longer hold a valid visa are also not allowed to work in Australia.

Since 2007 it has been a criminal offence under the Migration Act to employ or refer a person who is not allowed to work in Australia.

 

On 1 June 2013, new laws introduced civil penalties and infringement notices for businesses that allow illegal work. The law also broadens who can be held liable and provides new evidence gathering powers. The existing criminal penalties will remain.

 

http://www.immi.gov.au/managing-australias-borders/compliance/legalworkers/