EMPLOYMENT OF IMMIGRANTS

What do you do when you cannot get good staff? Or any staff? Small and medium sized businesses tear their hair out and take on anybody who shows up! And can stand up!

A Bad Idea

There are thousands of people who are in Australia illegally and many of them do have tax file numbers. Two ways to check them out:

(a)    Ring a qualified and reputable migration agent with their passport in front of you and they should be able, in most cases, to give you a quick answer;

(b)    Use the Employer Hotline of the Department of Immigration to do the same thing, but many employers would rather not identify their businesses to the Department. Or cause issues for some individual, even if the person is illegal.

Employers who take on illegal workers face a maximum of two years prison and/or fines of  $13,200 (individuals) or $66,000 (companies) initially however you join “the list” and are subject to regular checks of your workforce.

A Good Idea

What about employing an overseas student or two? A Student Visa holder can work for 20 hours a week maximum. Many of them have significant office or customer relations skills, as well as developing skills in other areas they are studying. If that option appeals, a migration agent may be able to help you find a suitable person. Networking is alive and well in the overseas student population.
 
Or sponsoring a skilled worker from overseas? If you are considering that option because you cannot find someone in Australia (try most trades), then be cautious. Changes this year to the 457 regulations have made this process much more complicated for employers. Better to spend a consultation fee with a reputable migration agent and find out it is not really an option for you than waste a lot of money. A skilled migration agent who is ethical may not take money if an application only has a slim chance of success. Be sure the agent you use is ethical.

Source:  www.theaustralianimmigrationplace.com