Over the past decade, research has deepened our understanding of the challenges faced by migrant workers, leading to major policy reforms. Notable initiatives include formal protections against visa cancellation for exploited workers and the introduction of the innovative Workplace Justice Visa pilot.
Despite these advances, challenges remain.
Inadequate protections against sexual assault in remote areas, monopolistic practices in housing by labour-hire companies, and rampant migration scams highlight persistent systemic flaws.
We invite you to utilise our research summaries, join our upcoming webinar, and stay engaged. Together, we can drive meaningful reform and ensure the migration system is fair and just for all.
Please share this update with your colleagues and encourage them to subscribe.
Upcoming events
We are excited to launch a new webinar series designed to spotlight groundbreaking research about issues affecting migrant workers.
Our first session will feature leading academics and experts, offering a deep dive into significant research outcomes that are shaping the future for migrant workers in Australia.
Since the 1990s, Australia's education sector has prioritised profit over educational quality, with high tuition and strict visa rules favouring financial gains over the academic and wellbeing of international students.
Based on 25 interviews with current and former students, this report finds that many prioritise visa acquisition over educational progress.
We urge the government to closely integrate education programs, career support services, and establish clear pathways to residency, ensuring that the sector meets the real needs of international students and aligns with broader economic goals.
The report will be launched at our Research Webinar on 28 August 2024.
Call for participants
2024 National Temporary Migrant Worker survey
Are you or someone you know on a visa?
Take this important anonymous survey about your work in Australia.
Make your voice heard to improve migrants' working experiences and visa conditions.
There’s $10,000 in prizes to be won (50 x $250 gift cards)!
Inviting research participants: Achieving your dreams in Australia
By participating, you will have the chance to meet new friends, build confidence, learn new skills and get paid for your time.
You should be:
- Aged 18 to 24 years old
- Migrant living in Australia
- Have a disability
- English-speaking
- Open to share your experiences in one-on-one interviews and group activities
To join this PhD research, email [email protected] or call/text on 0481 130 305
Reports and Articles
All Work, No Pay: Improving the legal system so migrants can get the wages they are owed (2024)
This report highlights the widespread exploitation of migrant workers in Australia and the ineffectiveness of the small claims jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) for recovering unpaid wages and entitlements.
Migrant and refugee women in Australia: A study of sexual harassment in the workplace (2023)
This national study examines migrant and refugee women's experiences with workplace sexual harassment in Australia.
This study examined the financial and work vulnerabilities of international students in Australia, drawing on survey data collected before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This report investigates the systemic exploitation of migrant workers in the UK under the ‘Australian-style’ points-based system (PBS).
From the archives
Lives in Limbo: The experiences of migrant workers navigating Australia’s unsettling migration system (2021)
This report exposes significant flaws in Australia's migration system, drawing on a survey of over 700 temporary visa holders and more than 50 in-depth interviews. It found that 65% of these visa-holders have experienced wage theft, and 25% have faced other forms of labour exploitation.
The highest stress levels were reported among those on employer-sponsored visas, with a direct correlation between exploitation and visas lacking a pathway to permanent residency.
The report highlights the government's role in perpetuating a class of temporary workers with limited protections and rights. Among its key recommendations is the introduction of whistleblower protections for migrant workers who report exploitation—an early iteration of formal protections against visa cancellation that we have spent years fighting for.
Callout for materials
Are you interested in having your research featured in our Quarterly?
Or perhaps you'd like to collaborate or volunteer with us?
Get in touch with Sherry Haung at [email protected]