Immigration compliance officers located 15 illegal workers on a construction site in the Sydney suburb of Hurstville today.

Compliance officers from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), assisted by NSW Police, located the group following community information that people were working at a large apartment complex under construction.

“A total of 11 unlawful non-citizens and a further four people working in breach of their visa conditions were detained as a result of today’s successful operation,” a departmental spokesman said. “Of this group, 14 were Chinese nationals and one was from Malaysia.

“We have removed the illegal workers from the site for further interviews and to determine how many will be taken to Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, where arrangements would be made for their removal from Australia.

“Some of those detained may be granted short-term visas to assist their monitored departure.”

Immigration officers are investigating the circumstances under which the people were employed. The spokesman said the operation served as a warning to people and employers that breaches of immigration law would not be tolerated.