MEDIA RELEASE
Media Enquiries: National Communications Branch (02) 6264 2244
005.10
29 January 2010
Investigators uncover Sydney labour hire racket
Arrangements to remove a group of 13 illegal workers are under way as police and immigration
investigators examine evidence of a labour hire racket uncovered in Sydney today.
The labour hire racket was allegedly operating in Sydney’s construction industry and was the
target of a joint Australian Federal Police (AFP)/Immigration operation over the past 48 hours.
The early morning warrants served today on a plastering contracting business followed the
location of 13 gyprockers during immigration compliance field activity in Newington yesterday.
"Following yesterday's successful compliance operation in Newington, warrants were executed
today by the AFP and immigration investigators on a company believed to be employing illegal
workers,” a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) spokesman said.
“The criminal warrants were executed at both a Castlereagh Street office in the CBD and the
Newington construction site and evidence has been located that will assist the investigation.
DIAC will vigorously pursue with the Director of Public Prosecutions any possible criminal
prosecution related to hiring and exploitation of illegal workers.”
Interviews with the illegal workers confirmed 10 of them were contracted by the same plastering
company.
Of the 13 illegal gyprockers located, 12 men – nine Chinese, two Koreans and a Filipino – have
been taken to Villawood Immigration Detention Centre where arrangements are being made for
their removal from Australia. The remaining Chinese man was released on a bridging visa to
pending his imminent departure.
“This ongoing investigation is an excellent example of close cooperation between DIAC, the
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and the AFP,” the spokesman said.
“It serves as a warning to unscrupulous operators in the construction industry that employing
illegal workers will not be tolerated, we will catch you and we will do everything in our power to
ensure you are successfully prosecuted.”
This crackdown on illegal work follows successful targeting of labour hire rackets in the meat and
agriculture industries last year. It is up to employers to ensure they only hire workers who have
the legal right to work in Australia.
“All employers need to be aware it is a criminal offence to employ or refer a person for
employment where that person is not entitled to work in Australia,” the spokesman said.
“Employers convicted of illegal worker offences face fines of up to $13 200 and/or two years’
imprisonment per illegal worker. Companies face fines of up to $66 000 per illegal worker.”
Information about a person living or working illegally in Australia can be reported to DIAC by
phoning the dob-in line on 1800 009 623.
NEWS 
