A series of compliance operations in regional Victoria – the latest last night – has seen Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) officers locate 51 people who were either in Australia unlawfully or working in breach of visa conditions.
And early today an operation by officers from Adelaide located a further six people, also in Australia unlawfully.
Most of those located in the Mildura, Robinvale, Shepparton and Sale areas since August 11 have already been removed from Australia.
Last night in Mildura, a DIAC field team located three Chinese nationals – a couple and a second man – working illegally in two restaurants in breach of their visa conditions. And at a Mildura residence, they also located two Indian nationals, both of whom had overstayed their visas.
On Tuesday in Robinvale, DIAC officers located four Filipino nationals and a Malaysian national who had either been working illegally in Australia or who had overstayed their visas.
All 10 people from the Mildura and Robinvale compliance sweeps were taken to Melbourne’s Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre, where arrangements will be made for their removal from Australia.
A DIAC spokesman said many of those located in Shepparton and Sale had made unsuccessful applications to stay here – including review processes – and not departed.
“The department’s recent compliance operations in Victoria are part of a campaign targeting labour hirers who employ illegal workers,” the spokesman said. “It is likely that labour hire organisers had engaged many of these workers.
“On these visits, we make farm owners, employers and labour contractors aware of their responsibilities for ensuring that they engage lawful workers.”
The DIAC spokesman said the department was committed to maintaining the integrity of Australia’s migration and visa programs.
“This operation demonstrates that if people work illegally or if people employ illegal workers, they will be caught,” the spokesman said.
“Employers convicted under Commonwealth legislation now face fines of up to $13 200 and two years’ imprisonment, while companies face fines of up to $66 000 per illegal worker.”
Meanwhile, all but five of 41 people located in the Shepparton and Sale area have left Australia. Of those five, two are expected to be removed and three are resolving their immigration status.
On August 18, DIAC located 18 illegal farm workers in the Shepparton area, who had also either been working unlawfully or had overstayed their visas. On August 11, 23 illegal farm workers were located near Sale. They were from Malaysia, Vietnam and China.
The South Australian operation first located two Indonesian females followed by three males and a female – all from Malaysia – at premises in Coonawarra.
All have been detained for further interviews by compliance officers.
Employers can gain access to the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service, which allows employers to provide relevant identification details of prospective employees, with their consent, to quickly confirm that they are eligible to work in Australia.
People with information about illegal workers or visa overstayers can phone the Immigration Dob-In Line on 1800 009 623.
Media Enquiries: National Communications Branch (02) 6264 2244
