Multiple DIAC operations net 50 across Australia

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Created on Friday, 09 December 2011 17:31

Written by Editorial staff

The recent spread of compliance operations by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship across Australia has seen 50 people identified as either being employed in breach of their entry conditions or overstaying their visa.

Over 40 of these individuals have since been detained by DIAC officers during raids across the states of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

The latest of these was performed in the agricultural region of Robinvale on the banks of the Murray River.

The DIAC reports that 14 individuals where found on properties in the community - located on the border of NSW and Victoria - and were illegally working on farms in the area.

A departmental spokesman commented on the success of the operations, saying that a number of individuals where to be processed for removal from the country.

"Seven of them had overstayed their visas while the remainder were working in breach of their visa conditions," said the spokesman.

"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 also took the opportunity to remind business owners that it was their responsibility to only hire international employees who have the right to work as part of their visa conditions.

A second joint operation in Melbourne involving the DIAC, the Australian Federal Police and Centrelink officials saw a man detained pending further investigations into allegations he had committed fraud.

He was transferred to a nearby immigration detention centre pending further investigations.

The large number of people identified by the immigration department as working in breach of their visas helps to highlight the importance of gaining qualified information before progressing with the hire of international workers - regardless of the business type or industry sector.

In addition to checking the credentials of potential employees, managers can - with the permission of the individual - submit certain details to the Visa Entitlement Verification Online service supplied by the DIAC.

This will allow business owners to be sure of the veracity of an individual's right to work before a hire commences.

For further information on the types of visas that are applicable, employees can always contact a registered migration consultant to gain qualified advice.

When seeking skilled workers, an immigration agent can also help to makes sure that a business meets the requirements set out by the DIAC before an application is submitted.