KEY PROJECTS

Our work has three key areas of focus:

Law and policy reform in Australia
National migrant worker surveys
Global research and advocacy

Law and policy reform in Australia

REFORMING AUSTRALIA'S WAGE CLAIM SYSTEM

2023-24
Wage theft is widespread – but very few migrant workers ever recover their wages. Our new report explains why the court is failing migrant workers and what the government can, and must, do to fix this problem.

WAGE THEFT & REMEDIATION: LESSONS FROM 7-ELEVEN

2017
Drawing on interviews with international students and others, this project considered the barriers preventing temporary migrants from accessing remedies for unpaid entitlements. It asked why 7-Eleven's Wage Program was so unusually accessible and effective.

VISA PROTECTIONS TO ENFORCE WORKPLACE RIGHTS

2023-24

We are leading a coalition advancing migration reforms to enable migrant workers to pursue labour remedies without risking their visa. Building on our Breaking the Silence proposal, we are supporting government to implement and evaluate new world-first protections.

National migrant worker surveys

2025: NATIONAL SURVEY ON PACIFIC WORKERS (PALM SCHEME)

Our survey of 370 workers revealed significant reluctance among workers to report workplace problems despite the avenues available. A form of supported mobility in the Scheme is critical to guaranteeing fair, safe and respectful working conditions for PALM workers.

2020: TEMPORARY MIGRANTS' EXPERIENCES DURING COVID-19

We shaped Australia’s social support policies through our online survey of 6,105 international students and other temporary visa holders on their experiences of deprivation and racism and attitudes to Australia during the first COVID lockdown.

EXPLOITATION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN HOUSING

2019: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' EXPERIENCES IN AUSTRALIA

Our survey of 5,000 international students found widespread housing exploitation, wage theft and poor conditions, with few students able to take action. We identified policy reforms needed to address barriers to reporting, alongside practical support measures.

WAGE THEFT AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

EXPLOITATION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN HOUSING

2016: NATIONAL TEMPORARY MIGRANT WORK SURVEY

The first large-scale survey that revealed Australia’s large silent underclass of systemically exploited migrant workers across numerous industries, and identified the barriers that prevented 91% from taking action. This catalysed national and state-level law and policy reform processes.

2024 NATIONAL TEMPORARY MIGRANT WORK SURVEY

We will be reporting on our survey of 9,963 temporary visa holders over 2026 and 2027. View our five reports on underpayment, barriers to wage recovery, migrants’ information gaps and perceptions, experiences of forced labour indicators and injury as they are released.

FIRST REPORT - OFF THE BOOKS: INSIDE AUSTRALIA’S HIDDEN SYSTEM OF MIGRANT EXPLOITATION

Global research and advocacy

ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR WAGE THEFT

2021-24
This global multi-year program of work involves research, online events and new resources to support a global community of practice to improve migrant workers’ access to justice for wage theft in their country — with partners Solidarity Center, The ILAW Network and MIDEQ.

ACCOUNTABILITY IN MIGRANT WORKER RECRUITMENT

2011-15
Empirical research and thought leadership on the responsibilities of states and business to protect the rights of migrant workers within the recruitment process, with proposals for rights-based governance and accountability models.

TECHNOLOGY TO ADDRESS MIGRANT EXPLOITATION

2018-20
The first global study of challenges, risks and opportunities presented by digital tools developed for migrant worker engagement. Our research promotes a well-considered, migrant-centred approach to development and use of apps and tech tools.

ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN

2011-14
The first major empirical studies of migrant workers’ access to justice in their country of origin and through their embassies abroad, focused on Nepal and Indonesia. Reports and policy briefs set out detailed findings and recommended policy and procedural reforms.