Australian Border Force (ABF) has revealed that a Brisbane-based freight company has settled a $158,400 infringement notice—the largest ever issued by ABF Queensland Field Operations—for breaching the Migration Act. Investigators found one unlawful non-citizen working without a visa and another employee working in breach of visa conditions. The case highlights tougher penalties introduced under the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024, which expanded ABF’s on-site inspection powers and raised maximum fines. The unlawful worker was detained and has since left Australia; action against the second individual is ongoing. ABF Acting Commander Tim Thorley warned employers that checks via the free Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system are “not optional”. Under the amended Act, repeat offenders risk public naming as “prohibited employers”, civil litigation and criminal prosecution. For corporate mobility teams the message is clear: audit labour-hire vendors and subcontractors, especially in logistics, agriculture and hospitality where casual hiring is common. Failure to verify work rights now carries reputational as well as financial consequences—something boards and insurers increasingly factor into due-diligence frameworks.
Source: Australian Border Force
