The conversation about migrant working conditions in Australia remains as important as ever. Before COVID-19, more than 2 million temporary migrants in Australia accounted for up to 10 per cent of the Australian workforce in key sectors such as construction, healthcare and hospitality. Some of these workers already experienced precarious work arrangements and minimal access to welfare payments; limitations which continued during the pandemic.

When it comes to ensuring fair wages and conditions, Australia has a well-documented enforcement gap between the number of workers experiencing exploitation and the number of actions taken against employers to ensure compliance. On top of the personal cost to families and communities, wage underpayments alone have been estimated to cost the Australian economy $1.35 billion each year, particularly in sectors with high proportions of migrant and other precarious workforces, such as construction, retail, and accommodation and food services.

Drawing on best practice approaches from the State of California (USA), Canada (the Provinces of Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta), New Zealand and the United Kingdom, this report provides the Australian government with practical policy reform recommendations which can help strengthen the system for the benefit of both workers and industry.