Australian Border Force (ABF) officers have this week executed a series of search warrants at a number of addresses in regional Victoria and South Australia as part of routine ABF compliance field operations.

In separate actions, search warrants were executed under the Migration Act 1958 at three residential properties in Cobram and Shepparton, Victoria, and one business address in Virginia, South Australia. Five Malaysian nationals were found to be unlawful non-citizens living and working in Australia without a valid visa.

Of the five, two were located in Victoria and three in South Australia, with all believed to have been working illegally in the agricultural industry. They have been placed in immigration detention pending arrangements for removal from Australia.

ABF Assistant Commissioner Clive Murray said the ABF is committed to combatting visa fraud and illegal work.

“The ABF, the operational arm of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, continues to conduct regular field compliance work to ensure individuals act consistently with the requirements of their visa and that employers comply with their obligations to employ people legally”, Assistant Commissioner Murray said.

“Individuals need to be aware of the conditions of their visa and ensure they are legally allowed to reside and work in Australia. As well as identifying individuals who are in breach of their visa conditions, we also seek to identify unscrupulous employers who exploit visa holders.”

“The Department has an important role facilitating the appropriate and well-managed migration of people to Australia and ensuring individuals comply with the conditions afforded by their visa is an integral part of that system working as intended.”

People with information about illegal workers or visa over-stayers can call the Department’s Border Watch Hotline on 1800 009 623 or visit the Department’s website.