Compliance isn’t a box-ticking exercise, it’s a business-critical responsibility
Hiring overseas workers comes with serious obligations and with more data-sharing and monitoring tools at the government’s disposal, compliance issues are becoming easier to detect. Staying ahead of your responsibilities isn’t just smart, it’s essential.
A shifting compliance landscape
In the past 12 months, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has increased its scrutiny of employer sponsors with a sharp rise in monitoring activity and penalties.
- Over 1,200 sponsor monitoring activities were carried out by DHA last year
- $2.5 million+ in fines were issued to non-compliant sponsors
- More than 160 employers had their sponsorship rights cancelled or suspended
(Source: DHA 2024 compliance activity report)
With new migration strategies rolling out and more data-sharing between government departments, non-compliance is easier to detect and harder to excuse.
The risks of non-compliance
If you’re found to be in breach of your obligations, the consequences can include:
- Fines of up to $93,900 per breach for companies
- Suspension or cancellation of your Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)
- Damage to your employer brand and recruitment capability
- Increased audit activity across your business operations
In short: it’s not worth the risk.
What employers are getting wrong
Some of the most common compliance gaps we see are surprisingly easy to overlook:
- Not tracking visa expiry dates or changes in visa conditions
- Inaccurate or incomplete VEVO checks
- Inconsistent record-keeping across HR and payroll systems
- Unintended breaches due to role changes or internal promotions
- Misunderstanding work limitations for visa holders
Even well-meaning employers can end up on the wrong side of the rules especially when legislation moves fast and guidance isn’t always clear.
Why a compliance audit is a smart move
A compliance audit isn’t about pointing fingers, it’s about peace of mind. It helps you:
- Identify and fix gaps before they become costly problems
- Train your HR team to manage compliance confidently
- Demonstrate your commitment to fair and ethical employment
- Avoid disruption to your operations and workforce planning
And with workforce shortages across nearly every sector, retaining access to global talent is more important than ever.
How we can help
We’ve supported hundreds of Australian businesses to meet their immigration obligations and strengthen their compliance systems. Our audits are practical, confidential, and tailored to your needs, whether you’ve got one migrant worker or a hundred.
We don’t just help you comply, we help you understand what good looks like and how to maintain it.
Book your compliance check today
Don’t wait for an audit letter to land. Stay ahead of the curve and protect your business, your people, and your reputation.
Contact our compliance team to book your audit or learn more about our services.
