Welcome to the final edition of the Migrant Workers Centre newsletter for 2025!

This year, the MWC continued to connect, empower and support migrant workers through legal assistance, education, community programs and advocacy. 

In this issue, we’re sharing updates on our new and expanding services, highlights from our programs, and insights from our latest research. You’ll also find in-language resources about safety and working rights. 

We look forward to continuing this work in 2026 and reinforcing protections for migrant workers across Victoria. 

Our Annual Report is now LIVE!

This year’s Annual Report reflects a period of growth for the Migrant Workers Centre, including the launch of our accredited Community Legal Centre and the expansion of our outreach and education work. It also expands on the highlights and impact of our partnerships and collaborations. 

Read the key achievements from the past year in our 2024–2025 Annual Report.

Legal Service 

A major milestone this year was joining the Federation of Community Legal Centres, strengthening our ability to support migrant workers facing exploitation. 

Our legal team assisted over 200 workers with issues such as underpayment, unfair dismissal, discrimination and work-related injury, recovering $57,205 in wages and entitlements.
Since opening, we’ve recovered more than $2.29 million for migrant workers across Victoria. 

We commenced work on the Protecting Migrant Workers project together with VTHC and other TLCs across the country, enabling exploited workers to safely pursue workplace justice even when their visa conditions would otherwise prevent them from speaking up. 

As the service enters its second year, it will expand to a team of seven, increasing our capacity to provide accessible and practical legal support to migrant workers across the state. 

Case study

Jenny* worked as a cook in a café. Her employer wrongly classified her as an independent contractor and failed to pay her according to the award. After seeking help from the MWC, our legal team supported her to write a letter of demand for her unpaid entitlements, including superannuation.

We assisted Jenny in recovering around $4,200 in entitlements and approximately $1,200 in superannuation. 

*Name has been changed. 

For more information about our Legal Service click here.

Work Ready

This year, MWC introduced Work Ready, a new program delivered in partnership with LLAMA and supported by Study Melbourne to help international students find safe and fair work in Victoria. Through personalised one-on-one support, education sessions, legal services and practical self-help tools, the program equips students with the confidence and knowledge to navigate the job market and understand their rights. 

Work Ready delivered 282 individual consultations and reached more than 3,900 students, with support provided both online and at the Study Melbourne Hub by our International Student Worker Advocate, Andres Treviño and MWC volunteers. 

“I am extremely thankful to Andres for helping me both with the interview process and the tips... Thank you again for everything you have done for me so far, for helping me out here.” 
— Mohak, Work Ready participant 

Law Clinics

As part of Work Ready, our monthly drop-in legal clinics at the Study Melbourne Hub offered international students confidential, one-on-one advice on workplace issues such as underpayment, unfair dismissal, bullying or harassment, and understanding employment contracts. Delivered by our employment lawyers, these free sessions provided clear guidance tailored to each student’s situation, making it easier for them to understand their rights and make informed decisions. 

BWRAP

The Bicultural Work Rights Ambassadors Program continued to grow this year, with ten new Ambassadors joining the network. Representing Chinese, Fijian, Latin American, East African, Indian, Samoan and Burmese communities, and making workplace rights and safety information more accessible across Victoria.  

We now have trained 76 Ambassadors, collectively speaking 39 languages, including growing representation in regional centres across Victoria. Through workshops, outreach and community-led advocacy, Ambassadors continue to bridge the gap between migrant communities and the support services available to them.

“Being a BWRAP ambassador has been a meaningful and eye-opening journey… creating safe spaces where participants feel comfortable to open up and share their own stories has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the work.”
— Sar Pee, 2025 Ambassador 

Applications for the next cohort of Ambassadors are now open and will close on 25 January 2026. Apply now!

Workpalce Justice Visa Resources

The Workplace Justice Visa (WJV) is a new visa pathway that allows eligible temporary visa holders, including those who recently held a temporary visa, to stay in Australia while taking legal action if they have been exploited at work. It is designed to make it safer for workers to come forward, seek advice and pursue their rights without fear of losing their visa status. 

Our WJV resources help workers understand who is eligible, how to recognise workplace exploitation and what steps to take if they or someone they know needs support. These free materials make it easier for temporary visa holders to access the information and help they need.

Backpackers Report 

Our latest research report, ‘Backpacker’ Dispatches, written by researcher Lea Knopf in collaboration with the MWC explores the experiences of Working Holiday Makers (WHMs), a group that is highly visible in many workplaces yet often overlooked in public discussions and policymaking. 

Drawing on 12 in-depth interviews, the report offers an intimate look at the hopes, challenges and realities of WHMs, highlighting the human stories behind Australia’s long-running Working Holiday Program. 

Key recommendations from the report include: 
• Funding longitudinal research centred on WHMs’ experiences and long-term outcomes 
• Realigning the Working Holiday Program with its original purpose of cultural exchange 
• Developing a regulated labour program to reduce reliance on WHMs to fill workforce gaps

Read the full report here.

Ending NDAs in Workplace Sexual Harassment Cases

In November, the Victorian Parliament passed historic legislation to restrict the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in workplace sexual harassment cases. For years, NDAs have been used to isolate and silence victim-survivors.

Following sustained campaigning led by the Victorian Trades Hall Council, alongside union members, survivors and allies across the state, the new law limits when NDAs can be used and ensures survivors can access support and share their experiences. The reform centres workers’ safety, rights and agency, marking an important shift towards accountability in Victorian workplaces.

Read more about the reform here.

We're taking a short break

We hope you have a joyful holiday season and safe travels to those visiting family and friends abroad. 

Our office will be closed from 19 December 2025 to 12 January 2026. 

Your case may have specific requirements or strict deadlines, we strongly recommend seeking legal advice right away. 

Find a community legal centre near you here or explore the resources available on our website. 

You may have a short time to act on a legal problem. For example, if you have lost your job, you may only have 21 days to make a claim. 

For more information, visit the Fair Work Commission, an Australian Government agency that help workers understand and take action about their rights at work, or call the Fair Work Commission on 1300 799 675. 

Every day, migrant workers contact the Migrant Workers Centre for advice and support when work isn’t safe or fair. If you’re able to donate, your contribution helps us reach more workers and continue standing against exploitation across Victoria.

You can make a one-off donation or become a monthly supporter. Donate now.

Thank you for being part of our community this year and we hope to keep building safer and fairer workplaces together in 2026!