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THE Australian government is stepping up its campaign to stop illegal entrants working and has introduced measures to assist employers and suppliers of labour to ensure that they hire only those people with a right to work in the country.
The measures include a telephone information service, a boost to the campaign to make employers aware of the dangers of employing illegal entrants and warnings to employers by the Department of Immigration.
"It's important that employers play a role in making Australia a less attractive destination for people working illegally. We must, however, make it as simple as possible for employers to detect illegal workers, the Minister for Immigration, Mr Philip Ruddock said.
"In response to employer demands for reduced red tape, my Department will work with the Australian Taxation Office to examine ways to minimise paperwork associated with checking work rights," Mr Ruddock said.
"From this month the department's compliance officers will issue warnings to employers and labour suppliers found to have engaged illegal workers, which may result in sanctions. Employers are also being shown how to check visa labels in passports and other identification material of workers.