Revelatory report from largest ever study of migrant working conditions
Law Society Journal Online | Cat Woods
MJI’s Laurie Berg spoke to LSJ Online following the release of the report “Off the Books: Inside Australia’s hidden system of migrant exploitation” in which the data reveals a dire system in which many employers systematically underpay migrants and evade the Fair Work Act.
On 7 May, the Migrant Justice Institute released their report based upon the largest-ever study of migrant working conditions. The team surveyed nearly 10,000 workers on temporary visas across Australia. The data reveals a dire system in which many employers systematically underpay migrants and evade the Fair Work Act, deploying many of the same tactics to avoid consequences - 18 May 2026.
Migrant workers' exploitation costing billions in wages
The Canberra Times | Tom Wark
Two-thirds of migrant workers are underpaid, according to a major survey a prominent anti-slavery official is pleading becomes a wake-up call.
Two-thirds of migrant workers are underpaid, according to a major survey a prominent anti-slavery official is pleading becomes a wake-up call - 8 May 2026.
‘Every time we had to ask for pay’: Workers are losing billions in migrant wage scandal
The Age | Annika Smethurst
The largest study of migrant working conditions in Australia has found 65 per cent are underpaid, with more than one-third earning below the minimum wage.
The largest study of migrant working conditions in Australia has found 65 per cent are underpaid, with more than one-third earning below the minimum wage - 7 May 2026.
International students cheated out of $3.18bn in annual wages, new report finds
The Australian | Ria Pandey
The systematic exploitation of workers on temporary visas has become embedded in Australia’s labour market, MJI’s landmark new report has found.
The systematic exploitation of workers on temporary visas has become embedded in Australia’s labour market, MJI’s landmark new report has found - as reported in the Australian - 7 May 2026.
Fears, rorts, and exploitation: 10,000 workers in Australia expose a $3.2 billion problem
SBS News
A major new survey - conducted by MJI - reveals widespread migrant worker exploitation, underpayment and insecure work.
A major new study reveals widespread migrant worker exploitation, underpayment and insecure work - 7 May 2026.
Inspection reveals substandard housing for PALM scheme workers in Gippsland
ABC Gippsland | Lily Kristanto
There are concerns over the housing conditions provided for PALM scheme workers. MJI’s Laurie Berg spoke to Lily Kristanto from the ABC Gippsland to discuss this matter.
MJI’s Laurie Berg was interviewed by the ABC’s Lily Kristanto to provide an expert opinion concerning housing concerns for PALM scheme workers - 24 February 2026.
Pacific workers stay silent to keep their jobs
aap | Robyn Wuth
Pacific workers who flock to Australia on temporary visa are too afraid of losing their jobs to fight for better pay and working conditions.
Pacific workers who flock to Australia on temporary visas are too afraid of losing their jobs to fight for better pay and working conditions - MJI’s Laurie Berg spoke to Robyn Wuth from aap.
Migrant workers struggling to reclaim unpaid wages while balancing visa conditions
ABC News | Scout Wallen
There are calls to expand the eligibility of a workplace justice program that allows visa holders to extend their stay while they're pursuing workplace exploitations claims. MJI’s Bassina Farbenblum spoke to Scout Wallen from the ABC to discuss this matter.
MJI’s Bassina Farbenblum was interviewed by the ABC’s Scout Wallen to provide an expert opinion concerning the “extremely few” migrant and visa workers who ever manage to reclaim unpaid wages - 5 September 2025.
Migrant Protection: Calls for workers compensation scheme to be extended to migrant workers
ABC News | Joe O’Brien
There are growing calls to fix the gaps in the government’s workers compensation scheme, including to extend the scheme to cover migrant workers. The Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) is under review and MJI’s Bassina Farbenblum joined Joe O’Brien to disscuss this matter on the ABC News on Monday, 17 March 2025.
The Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) is under review and MJI’s Bassina Farbenblum joined Joe O’Brien to disscuss this matter on the ABC News on Monday, 17 March 2025.
Migrant Exploitation Experts Call For Increase to Services Accredited With Certifying Workplace Justice Visas
ABC News | Joshua Boscaini
Migrant exploitation experts call for increase to services accredited with certifying Workplace Justice Visas. Migrant Justice Institute co-executive director Laurie Berg said while the pilot was world-leading, the government needed to expand the list of partner organisations able to process claims.
Migrant Justice Institute co-executive director Laurie Berg said while the pilot was world-leading, the government needed to expand the list of partner organisations able to process claims.
United Petroleum Outlets Fined for Underpaying Workers - HRD Australia
HRD | Dexter Tilo
Case issues underlining migrant worker exploitation problem in Australia.
Data from the Migrant Justice Institute was quoted within article.
Data from the Migrant Justice Institure last year revelaed that wage theft is “widespread” across Australia.
New 'justice visa' for exploited migrant workers
The Law Report | Damien Carrick
Damien spoke to one of the first exploited migrant workers to obtain the new workplace justice visa.
He also interviewed our Co-Executive Director Laurie Berg about our All Work, No Pay report.
The Law Report’s Damien Carrick spoke to one of the first exploited migrant workers to obtain the new workplace justice visa.
He also interviewed our Co-Executive Director Laurie Berg about our All Work, No Pay report.
Migrant workers have long been too scared to report employer misconduct. A new visa could change this
The conversation | Laurie Berg & Bassina Farbenblum
Tragically, a deep fear of immigration consequences means most unlawful employer conduct goes unreported.
On Wednesday, however, the government officially launched a two-year pilot of innovative visa reforms that could bring these workers out of the shadows.
The conversation | Laurie Berg & Bassina Farbenblum
Tragically, a deep fear of immigration consequences means most unlawful employer conduct goes unreported.
On Wednesday, however, the government officially launched a two-year pilot of innovative visa reforms that could bring these workers out of the shadows.
Ni-Vanuatu women unite to overcome seasonal work 'nightmare'
ABC | Gabriella Marchant and Sean Mantesso
A case brought to the Federal Court by 12 Pacific Islander female workers alleges the group was subject to persistent sexual harassment.
Laurie Berg, co-executive director of the Migrant Justice Institute, says there is a "cycle of impunity" when it comes to the abuse of migrant workers.
A case brought to the Federal Court by 12 Pacific Islander female workers alleges the group was subject to persistent sexual harassment.
The group's fight for justice is being lauded as a possible catalyst for change in an industry where the exploitation of temporary migrants is rife.
Laurie Berg, co-executive director of the Migrant Justice Institute, says there is a "cycle of impunity" when it comes to the abuse of migrant workers.
Recovering lost wages is nearly impossible for Australia’s underpaid migrant workers
The Conversation | Laurie Berg & Bassina Farbenblum
New research has found that in reality, the federal “small claims” court process is virtually impossible to use without legal support.
'Virtually impossible' for migrant workers to hold employers accountable for unpaid wages
SBS News
Australia's law system is seen as "hollow" by migrant workers, who rarely chase up underpayment from their employers, according to a new report.
Australia's law system is seen as "hollow" by migrant workers, who rarely chase up underpayment from their employers, according to a new report.
Half of 4,000 interveiwed migrant workers being underpayed, research shows
The Guardian | Cait Kelly
Of the 4,000 migrant workers interviewed, over half were underpaid. Most knew this, but 9 in 10 did nothing. One went to court – but recovered none of their wages. It is not clear that wages claims are being systematically resolved via other legal forums or by the Fair Work Ombudsman, the report said.
Of the 4,000 migrant workers interviewed, over half were underpaid. Most knew this, but 9 in 10 did nothing. One went to court – but recovered none of their wages. It is not clear that wages claims are being systematically resolved via other legal forums or by the Fair Work Ombudsman, the report said.
Recovering lost wages is nearly impossible for Australia’s underpaid migrant workers. Here’s how to fix the problem
The Conversation | Laurie Berg & Bassina Farbenblum
The widespread underpayment of migrant workers in Australia is now well-documented. The vast majority never recover the wages they are owed.
The widespread underpayment of migrant workers in Australia is now well-documented. The vast majority never recover the wages they are owed.
In 2009, the federal “small claims” court process was established in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The idea was to give workers a simple and accessible forum to claim unpaid wages and entitlements from their employers – without needing a lawyer.
Australian survey on international student exploitation planned
THE PIE | Sophie Hogan
A survey examining the degree to which international students are exploited while working in Australia is launching another edition in July.
A survey examining the degree to which international students are exploited while working in Australia is launching another edition in July.
The Migrant Justice Institute, in a conversation with The PIE News, explained how the working conditions of international students in Australia need another round under the spotlight through its national temporary migrant survey.
“Lots of organisations, and indeed the government have been crying out for us to do another survey to really try and determine what exploitation looks like,” said Laurie Berg, co-executive director of the Migrant Justice Institute, referring to the organisation’s 2016 and 2019 surveys on the issue, as well as a special Covid-specific survey in 2020.
On July 8, the survey will launch inviting universities across Australia to get their international students to take part, asking about issues like wage deduction.
Ending the silence on migrant worker exploitation
CHOICE | Andy Kollmorgen
“I think that we as a society have come to expect low prices when it comes to things like fruit and vegetables and takeaway shops on sort of the lower end of the restaurant and hospitality scale. But the business model often relies on underpayment of temporary visa holders."
CHOICE | Andy Kollmorgen
“Berg, a senior lecturer in law at the University of Technology Sydney and an author of the 2017 report, says the post-COVID influx of international students and backpackers means exploitation is likely back where it was before.“
I think that we as a society have come to expect low prices when it comes to things like fruit and vegetables and takeaway shops on sort of the lower end of the restaurant and hospitality scale. But the business model often relies on underpayment of temporary visa holders."