Autumn 2026
This month, we’re celebrating new community leaders, sharing the impact of our programs and highlighting free support available to migrant workers and international students.
From ambassador graduations to legal help and upcoming events, there are plenty of ways to get informed and stay connected.
Bicultural Work Rights ambassadors
Congratulations to our new Bicultural Work Rights Ambassadors!
This month, we welcomed 14 new ambassadors representing more than 10 languages and communities across Victoria. Through the program, they will support migrant workers to better understand their rights, safety and support options at work.
The graduation was a powerful celebration of community, connection and collective action. We’re excited to see these ambassadors continue supporting their communities and raising awareness about workplace exploitation.
Learn more about the program and how our ambassadors can support you:
Click here
Work Ready
The Work Ready Project supported international students in Victoria by helping them prepare for and find work through personalised, one-on-one consultations.
A total of 412 students received support, with most assistance focused on improving resumes and cover letters, as well as building effective job search strategies.
The project also helped students with job applications, interview preparation, referrals to other services, and understanding their workplace rights. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 97.2% of participants reporting satisfaction with the service.
This work was made possible with the valuable support of Student Support volunteers, whose contribution was greatly appreciated.
Free legal help for international students (ISEAL)
The International Student Employment and Accommodation Legal (ISEAL) Program offers free, confidential legal help to international students in Victoria. It’s delivered in partnership with Study Melbourne, the Migrant Workers Centre and Inner Melbourne Community Legal.
We can help with:
- Employment issues: unpaid wages, unfair dismissal, discrimination, sham contracting, visa-related exploitation
- Housing issues: eviction, rent, repairs, bond problems
What you get:
A free, one-off appointment (60–90 mins) with a lawyer to explain your rights, options and next steps.
Who can access it:
International students or recent graduates living or working in Victoria with a work or housing issue.
How to get help:
- Call Study Melbourne: 1800 056 449
- Call Migrant Workers Centre: (03) 7009 6710 (employment issues)
- Call Inner Melbourne Community Legal: (03) 9328 1885 (housing issues)
- Or drop in at the Study Melbourne Hub on:
- Mondays, Wednesdays and every second Friday at 3:30PM
Free interpreters available.
Learn more here
On the ground
During the month of Autumn, we delivered:
- 35 Know your Rights at Work sessions, with:
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768 Know your Rights attendees
- 93.6% found the session useful
- 93.6% found the information was clear and easy to understand
- 94.4% would recommend this session to others
“Know Your Rights at Work” sessions give workers confidence and practical knowledge to respond to workplace issues and connects them with support services that can give them free and confidential advice.
These sessions are ideal for community groups, educational institutions, migrant support programs and any organisation interested in supporting workers’ rights.
Sessions for community groups and not-for-profit organisations are free.
Learn more here
Online Know your Rights in-language sessions
If you’re working in Australia, it’s important to understand your rights at work.
We’re running a series of free online Know Your Rights at Work sessions across May and June, delivered in different languages so you can join in the language that suits you.
All sessions run from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.
Upcoming sessions
- Spanish: Thursday 21 May
- Arabic: Tuesday 26 May
- Filipino: Thursday 11 June
Register today
Research
PhD Showcase: New Research on Migrant Workers’ Experiences
20 May 2026
Online
1–2pm AEST
Hear from three emerging researchers on migration, gender and work, including studies on gig work among international students, women’s temporary migration and safety and wellbeing across Pacific and Timor-Leste migration pathways.
Latest policy briefs:
Immigration status discrimination (April 2026): Shows how visa status drives workplace discrimination and exploitation, and calls for immigration status to be recognised in anti-discrimination and Fair Work laws.
Recommendations
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Incorporate ‘immigration status’ as a standalone protected attribute under state and territory anti-discrimination law, subject to appropriate statutory exceptions. Recognition under antidiscrimination law will have flow-on effects for employment law protections.
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Amend sections 772(1)(f) and 351 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) to include the additional ground of ‘immigration status’.
Read the policy brief here
Resources
When someone’s visa is cancelled, it means that they no longer hold the visa that was cancelled and cannot remain in Australia or arrive in Australia on that visa. Cancellation of a visa can be discretionary, mandatory or by operation of law. Visa cancellation may result in a person becoming unlawful in Australia, affect any future applications or prevent a person from being granted certain visas.
