Arrangements are today being made for the removal of a large group of illegal workers caught at a construction site at Homebush Bay in Sydney’s west.

Compliance officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, with the assistance of NSW Police, located the men working at the site, most of whom had expired visas, or who held visas with no work rights.

The men, who were working as plasterers, cement renderers and cleaners, included 17 from the People’s Republic of China, two from Taiwan, two from Malaysia and two from Mongolia.

A departmental spokesman said 20 of the 23 illegal workers were transferred to the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre for processing ahead of their removal from Australia at the earliest opportunity.

Two of the other three workers who held current visas were granted short-term bridging visas with strict conditions and a third current visa holder was counselled and later released.

The spokesman said the department is investigating the circumstances of the employment of the workers.

“Illegal workers in Australia will not be tolerated and the department actively investigates community reports and takes swift action to apprehend non-citizens without work rights,” the spokesman said.

“It is the responsibility of employers to ensure that non-Australian workers they hire hold a visa with valid work rights.”

The Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service is available to employers to check the relevant identification details of prospective employees, with their consent, to quickly confirm if they are eligible to work in Australia.

Employers convicted under Commonwealth legislation of having illegal workers face fines of up to $13 200 and two years’ imprisonment while companies face fines of up to $66 000 per illegal worker.

People with information about illegal workers or visa overstayers are encouraged to call the immigration dob-in line on 1800 009 623.

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