SEVERE PENALITIES FOR EMPLOYERS - ILLEGAL WORKERS

New  measures have been put in place to help prevent the illegal hiring of workers.  You may have noticed or read information about this in recent time, as the Department has launched an education program to the wider public about exactly what these new measure entail.  From 1 June 2013, a series of more stringent employer penalties became effective, for those who hire staff that are not legally able to work in Australia.

The Department's Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system, is a free online service which allows Australian employers, labour suppliers, education providers, visa holders, financial institutions, and Registered Migration Agents to check the details and entitlements of a visa.  It is a good idea to check all employees under this system.  Some employers, when checking, have found that their Australian employees are working illegally, as they have revoked their citizenship at some time, and have not reclaimed it.  There are many reasons why an employer may be innocently illegal.  If you want to check your employees' legal status;  register your organisation with VEVO, or simply want to understand more about the VEVO system - go to http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/vevo/about.htm#a

Under the new legislation infringement notices and civil penalties will be given to employers found breaking the law.  Anyone using 457 immigration visas in an unsanctioned manner could be charged anything between $3,060 and $76,500 per illegal worker for doing so.