Immigration operations in two states today have resulted in the location of 19 illegal workers in the agriculture and construction industries.
On the Victorian border, immigration compliance officers located 14 illegal workers in the Mildura area, just five weeks after detaining 10 others in the region.
In Perth, five Chinese nationals were located at a house in Belmont with the help of WA Police. The men were found to have overstayed their visas and were working illegally in the construction industry.
All are now in detention for further interview, pending their removal from Australia. Investigations into the circumstances of their employment are continuing.
At a caravan park and residential address in Irymple in Victoria, compliance officers located 10 unlawful non-citizens, along with four people working in breach of their visa conditions.
“The 14 located in Victoria today – 10 men and four women – included 10 from Malaysia, three from India and one from Singapore,” a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) spokesman said.
“All were taken to Melbourne’s Maribyrnong immigration detention centre for processing ahead of their removal from Australia at the earliest opportunity.
“A total of 24 illegal workers have been located in the Mildura area in just five weeks.”
On February 2 and 3 in Mildura, immigration compliance officers, acting on information about illegal workers in the horticultural and hospitality industries, located 10 people of interest at shops and residential addresses. All have since been removed from Australia.
Meanwhile, the 85 illegal workers located in the Goulburn Valley town of Mooroopna on February 19 have all now been removed from Australia – with the final two departing yesterday.
Employers convicted under Commonwealth legislation 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 over-stayers are encouraged to call the Immigration Dob-In Line on 1800 009 623.
Media Enquiries: National Communications Branch (02) 6264 2244
