Migrant workers
We have information and tools to help you in your language.
On this page:
- Language tools
- Workplace rights
- Protections for temporary visa holders
- Know the rules for working on a visa
- Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme and Vietnam Labour Mobility Arrangement
- Getting help
Language tools
Translated resources
We have information and resources in over 30 languages to help you understand the rights of employees working in Australia and the obligations of growers.
You can read information and watch videos in your language on our Language help pages.
Translated piecework information
- Bislama Piecework rules have changed information sheet (DOCX) (PDF)
- Simplified Chinese Piecework rules have changed information sheet (DOCX) (PDF)
- Traditional Chinese Piecework rules have changed information sheet (DOCX) (PDF)
- Fijian Piecework rules have changed information sheet (DOCX) (PDF)
- Samoan Piecework rules have changed information sheet (DOCX) (PDF)
- Solomon Island Pidgin Piecework rules have changed information sheet (DOCX) (PDF)
- Spanish Piecework rules have changed information sheet (DOCX) (PDF)
- Tetum Piecework rules have changed information sheet (DOCX) (PDF)
- Tok Pisin Piecework rules have changed information sheet (DOCX) (PDF)
- Tongan Piecework rules have changed information sheet (DOCX) (PDF)
- Vietnamese Piecework rules have changed information sheet (DOCX) (PDF)
Website translator
You can read the information on our website in your language. Choose your language from the menu at the top of the page to translate the information. Translation is not available for some pages.
Translating & Interpreting Service
If you don’t speak or understand English well, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450.
Tell them which language you speak and give them our phone number, 13 13 94. They will call us for you and interpret your question.
We're open 8 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday (except for public holidays).
For more information, visit TIS National.
You can also visit our Language help page for employment information in 30 languages.
Workplace rights
Migrant workers in Australia have the same entitlements and protections under the Fair Work Act as other employees. Learn more at Visa holders and migrant workers.
An employer can’t cancel an employee’s visa, even if the employee has breached their visa conditions. Only the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) can grant, refuse or cancel visas.
An employer can’t fire an employee, cut their shifts or punish them in other ways because they made a complaint or asked questions about their work. An employee also can’t be fired for contacting us.
For workers: if you are experiencing workplace problems, go to Getting help.
Protections for temporary visa holders
Prohibited employers
From 1 July 2024, employers found to have seriously, deliberately or repeatedly broken the law may be prohibited from employing additional migrant workers for a period of time, depending on the nature and severity of the breach. The aim is to protect migrant workers.
A prohibited employer’s business name and ABN will be published on the Australian Border Force website.
The Assurance Protocol
New protections for visa holders
The Australian Government has introduced the Strengthening Reporting Protections Pilot and Workplace Justice Visa Pilot. These new laws strengthen reporting protections for eligible visa holders experiencing workplace exploitation.
The Assurance Protocol arrangement outlined on this page has been paused for the duration of these pilot programs.
During this time, please visit the Visa protections – pilot programs for more information about what applies.
We encourage temporary visa holders who need our help to Contact us.
We have an arrangement with Home Affairs to support visa holders who come to us for help. Visa holders can seek our help without fear of visa cancellation, even if they’ve breached their work-related visa conditions. This arrangement is called the Assurance Protocol.
Under the Assurance Protocol, Home Affairs won’t cancel your visa if you have breached your visa conditions because of workplace exploitation, as long as:
- you've sought advice or support from us and you are helping us with our inquiries
- there is no other reason to cancel your visa (for example for national security, character, health or fraud reasons)
- you've committed to following your visa conditions in the future.
Learn more about the Assurance Protocol at Visa protections – the Assurance Protocol.
Know the rules for working on a visa
If you employ a visa holder or have a visa, it’s important you know the visa rules.
Some visas have rules about how many hours someone can work (for example, international students) or what job they can do (for example, a seasonal worker).
To check visa details, visa holders can use the Home Affairs’ Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).
If you need more information about visas, contact the Department of Home Affairs.
Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme and Vietnam Labour Mobility Arrangement
The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme allows some Australian businesses to hire workers from 9 Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste when there aren’t enough local workers available.
The Vietnam Labour Mobility Arrangement (VLMA) supports workers from Vietnam to undertake short and long-term agricultural related work in Australia.
We have tailored information for employees under the PALM or VLMA. Learn about workplace rights and get access to our tools at Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme and Vietnam Labour Mobility Arrangement.
Getting help
We have tools and resources to help growers and workers. Visit our Getting help page.
You can also send us an anonymous tip-off in English or in your language.
