Employers should check visa status for all non-Australian
workers both before and during employment.
If staff are detected working in breach of visa conditions or
without a valid visa, the employer can face severe penalties.
Penalties include fines and, in some cases, criminal sanctions.
Businesses may be penalised even if they are not aware that staff
are working unlawfully.
On top of this, company directors and officers may face personal
liability if there are illegal workers in the business.
There have been several businesses in the hospitality industry
who have been targeted by the Fair Work Ombudsman and the
Department of Home Affairs. Due to data matching initiatives
between the ATO and other government agencies, employers hiring
staff unlawfully are more likely than ever to be caught.
