The Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025 amends the Migration Act 1958 to establish a public register of approved work sponsors for skilled temporary migrants, listing each sponsor’s business name, Australian Business Number (ABN), postcode, number of nominations and occupations to promote transparency, worker mobility and reduce exploitation.
This reform implements a commitment in the Government’s December 2023 Migration Strategy and complements broader skilled visa reforms.
The Bill amends the Migration Act 1958 by inserting a definition of ABN into subsection 5(1) and adding a new section 140GD at the end of Subdivision BA of Division 3A of Part 2. New section 140GD authorises the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs to publish and maintain on the Department’s website a register of approved standard business sponsors and accredited sponsors who have nominated skilled workers for entry to Australia.
Under subsection 140GD(1), the Secretary may publish information prescribed by regulations, and subsection 140GD(2) lists the kinds of information that may be published: sponsor type, name, ABN, postcode, number of nominations made under section 140GB(1) and occupations covered by those nominations. Subsection 140GD(3) prohibits publication of personal identifiers, and subsection 140GD(4) allows regulations to specify circumstances in which publication is not required. Regulations under section 504 will prescribe and govern these details.
From the explanatory memorandum:
“The establishment of a public register of approved work sponsors will provide protections and oversight mechanisms to support the effective management and integrity of Australia’s skilled visa system.”
The amendments align with existing $30.1 million funding for skilled visas system reform, impose low financial impact and will commence by proclamation within six months of Royal Assent to allow stakeholder engagement and ICT development.
The public register empowers temporary skilled migrant workers by making it easier to verify legitimate sponsors and to switch employers if they face unfair or exploitative conditions. This transparency acts as a deterrent against underpayment and other abuses by raising the reputational cost of non-compliance [Judgment].
By disclosing the number of nominations and occupations, the register helps regulators and advocacy groups to monitor sponsorship patterns and target enforcement where exploitation risks are highest, thereby improving overall system integrity and worker welfare [Judgment].
The measure complements existing workplace rights and migration compliance frameworks, reinforcing Australia’s reputation as a fair and attractive destination for global talent. In aggregate, the register is a low-cost, high-impact reform that promotes equitable treatment of migrant workers and strengthens trust in the skilled visa program.
While transparency is laudable, there is limited evidence that a public registry alone will reduce migrant exploitation more effectively than existing inspection and enforcement mechanisms. Sponsors who intend to exploit are unlikely to be deterred by disclosure of basic business details [Judgment].
The register may infringe the right to privacy of sole traders or small employers by publishing personal names embedded in business names, risking misuse or identity theft despite the prohibition on personal identifiers [Judgment].
Administrative and ICT costs, though described as low, will draw resources from other enforcement priorities. A better approach might be targeted audits and stronger penalties for non-compliance, rather than a broad public database of all sponsors regardless of risk profile.
2025-11-06
House of Representatives
Before Senate
Unspecified
Home Affairs
Immigration, Labour, Discrimination / Human Rights