KEEPING UP TO DATE

Sponsoring international employees

There are times when, even as a small business, the best way to attract and retain employees if hiring someone from overseas. During COVID this was impossible, but now with boarders open this may be an attractive option.

It is important to understand what you are agreeing to when you engage an international employee, as the Government has recently commitment to safeguarding workers on temporary visas and completed a month-long crackdown on businesses that are not meeting their legal obligations. Of the 300 businesses they visited, fines have been issued to 140 for violating workplace rights, including pay, conditions, health, and safety.

The Government has also made its intentions to enhance the rights of migrant workers clear with the introduction of the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Bill 2023 to the House of Representatives on 2 August 2023 which includes new compliance tools to deter exploitation.

If you would like assistance to ensure you meet both your migration and employment law requirements please reach out. We work closely with a number of Migration agents who are able to assist you. Together we can protect your business from any accidental breach.