vSure Visa and Work Rights Compliance Blog

“Don’t do it” ~ The Immigration Blacklist

Most employer sponsored visas require the business to show that there is no “adverse information” or that the business has a “record of compliance” with Australian immigration laws for approval. If your business has been non-compliant, this can result in being locked out of employer sponsored visa programs. If your business has engaged staff in

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Australian immigration revokes almost 11,000 ‘non-genuine’ students visas

The Department of Home Affairs typically cancels between 8,000 and 9,000 student visas annually, however according to a report in The Australian (subscription required), based on the latest figures released for the year ending June 2015, there was a 30% increase in the number of cancellations. With International Education coming in as Australia’s fourth largest export

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Directors and Company Officers Personally Liable for Illegal Workers

Under the 2013 Employer Sanctions Legislation, Directors and Company Officers can be personally liable if their business is engaging illegal workers. The legislation extends offences to “Executive Officers” of companies where the business has committed an offence. Under the new legislation, “Executive Officers” include: Directors of companies Chief Executive Officers Chief Financial Officers Company Secretaries

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Employers face “No Fault” fines for engaging illegal workers

The Migration Amendment (Reform of Employer Sanctions) Act 2013 allows Immigration to clamp down on illegal work practices. The 2013 Act introduces a “no fault” system for civil penalties. This means that penalties will apply if a business engages workers illegally regardless of whether the business was actually aware of this. An “infringement notice” system

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Audit exposes serious flaws on tracking visa holders breaching their conditions

The Australian National Audit Office has released a report on the Department of Home Affairs’ ability to manage compliance with visa conditions. The report found that budget cuts had compromised the Department of Home Affairs effectiveness on tracking people overstaying and working in breach of their visa conditions. Recommendations in the report include: Improving the

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An interview with vSure Founder Mark Webster

What was your main inspiration for forming vSure? When the Employer Sanctions legislation came into force in 2013, I realised that this put businesses hiring temporary visa holders at significant risk. Under the legislation, employers face fines of $15,000 or more for any worker in breach of visa conditions. Immigration no longer needs to show

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Credit Card Surcharge to Increase Visa Application Fees

Effective from 19 April 2014 the Department of Home Affairs has implemented a credit card surcharge for all visa application charges paid via credit card. The new charges will apply to all applications lodged online, and any paper-based applications paid for via credit card. This fee will be taken at the time you lodge your

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Immigration Minister to fight illegal work practices, but encourage productive migrants

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison made one of his first public speeches as Minister at the Migration Institute of Australia Conference in October 2013.  This gave an interesting insight into the new liberal government’s priorities in the immigration portfolio. The overwhelming message was that whilst productive migrants were welcome, individuals and employers who do the wrong

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Does Your Recruitment Strategy Protect You From Penalties?

Employing people without the correct visa status in Australia is a serious problem and prevalent in political discourse.  The Employer Sanctions Legislation has made it clear that businesses and individuals who are found to have illegal workers will receive serious penalties. So what happens if you use a recruitment company for your hiring processes? What

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How Do I know if my Employees have Citizenship or Permanent Residence in Australia?

These are the types of identification that are acceptable to prove citizenship or permanent residence in Australia: Australian passport New Zealand passport Australian citizenship certificate plus photo ID Australian birth certificate plus photo ID Certificate of resident status plus photo ID Certificate of Status for New Zealand Citizens in Australia (CSNZCA) plus photo ID We

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