Turning migrant voices into policy reform.
We listen to migrants on visas, uncover what's broken, and deliver the evidence governments and industry need to fix it and protect fairness for everyone.
Over
1m people
work on temporary visas in Australia
THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM
More
than 50%
of surveyed migrant workers in Australia are underpaid
9 out
of 10
surveyed migrants tell nobody when they are underpaid
These aren't isolated incidents. Key industries are structurally reliant on workers on visas, yet government oversight is inadequate and visa conditions prevent migrants from enforcing their rights. When workers on visas are exploited, businesses doing the right thing can’t compete and industries race to the bottom.
The system is broken. But we know how to fix it.
Watch: Why can't migrant workers recover the wages they are owed?
Visa protections must be strengthened so workers can report exploitation without risking deportation. Wage recovery systems must be streamlined so justice is achievable, not theoretical. Enforcement must be overhauled so businesses face real accountability.
Our research identifies these pathways and charts how to implement them. It’s grounded in migrants' experiences and built through collaboration with communities, industry, governments, unions, and civil society.
Latest Evidence & Blueprints
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Fear and Silence in Australia's Pacific Worker Scheme
2025
—
Key findings:
• 64% would change their employer if they could
• 34% would tell someone other than a friend or co-worker about unsafe work
• 64% cited fear of job loss as reason to stay silent -
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Reforming Australia’s Wage Claim System
2024
—
Key recommendations:
• Expand affordable legal services for migrant workers bringing claims
• Create a new, accessible forum to resolve wage claims
• New government guarantee scheme to pay workers where an employer disappearsImpact: ACTU backed our call for a new Fair Work Court
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Visa Reforms to Enable Migrants to Address Exploitation
2023
—
Key recommendations:
• A new Workplace Justice visa to enforce labour rights
• A guarantee that a visa won’t be cancelled before pursuing a labour claim
• Trusted non-government providers certify claimsImpact: Dept of Home Affairs introduced the Strengthening Reporting Protections Pilot in 2024
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How migrants can recover unpaid wages: Promising global initiatives
2021
—
• Examples of what works: laws, policies, practices and systems around the world
• Good systems shift risks and burdens of wage recovery from workers to business and governmentImpact: New ILO guidance on labour standards for migrant workers
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Abandonment of temporary migrants in Australia during COVID-19
2020
—
Key findings:
• Almost three quarters lost all of most of their work
• Thousands unable to pay for food and rent
• One in three forecasted they would run out of funds in 3 months
• For many it was impossible to leave AustraliaImpact: Federal government reversed policy excluding migrants from wage subsidies
FIND WHAT YOU NEED
Are you a worker on a temporary visa?
Understand your workplace rights and how to access support if you've been underpaid or exploited.
Covering the issue?
Access our latest research, expert commentary, and media materials.
UTS Law Faculty and UNSW Faculty of Law & Justice are proud supporters of the Migrant Justice Institute. MJI is a charity registered with ACNC. ABN 84654507758.