Less than 24 hours after outlining his broader migration overhaul, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke moved to calm fears that tougher enforcement will mimic the aggressive tactics of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Speaking to ABC News on 18 September, Burke said a dedicated Australian Border Force (ABF) compliance team of 100 officers will focus on locating and detaining long-term visa overstayers but will operate with “white shirts, name badges and no guns”. The unit will have access to 250 additional detention beds and may repurpose the former COVID-19 quarantine facility at Mickleham, Victoria. According to Home Affairs data, the cohort of people in Australia without any valid visa has grown from 64,000 in 2016 to more than 77,000 today. About one-third originally entered on visitor visas and 20 per cent on student visas. Burke argues that detention—used routinely before 2015—creates a behavioural incentive for unlawful non-citizens to depart voluntarily. Immigration experts agree the pre-2015 regime was effective and largely uncontroversial, but human-rights groups warn expanded detention capacity may discourage exploited workers from reporting abuse. For employers, the message is clear: staff found without lawful status face a higher risk of removal, and businesses that knowingly employ unlawful workers risk significant civil penalties. Mobility managers should review right-to-work checking procedures, ensure records are up to date, and offer bridging-visa support where appropriate. Companies with large casual workforces—especially in hospitality, agriculture and gig sectors—are advised to schedule internal audits ahead of the ABF ramp-up, expected in early 2027. Burke also confirmed that compliance officers will continue to avoid raids at schools, hospitals and community centres, maintaining “community policing” principles that differentiate Australia’s approach from US enforcement.
Source: ABC News
