Over the first half of 2026, we've continued supporting migrant workers across Victoria through free legal assistance, workplace education and advocacy. Between January and June, our legal team helped hundreds of workers understand their rights, resolve workplace issues and recover more than $114,000 in unpaid wages and entitlements, while our engagement team delivered 217 Know Your Rights sessions to more than 4,800 workers.
Thomas's story |
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Thomas came to Australia from Vanuatu under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme to work on a farm. As a team leader, he repeatedly raised safety concerns about a faulty tractor, but his warnings were ignored. After being injured while operating the tractor, Thomas faced not only a difficult recovery but also uncertainty about staying in Australia and pursuing a workers compensation claim. With support from the Workplace Justice Visa program, he was able to remain in Australia, access medical treatment and continue his claim. Read more here |
On the ground |
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From January 1 – June 30, we have delivered:
Bicultural Work Rights Ambassadors The Migrant Workers Centre recently celebrated the graduation of 13 new Bicultural Work Rights Ambassadors from diverse communities including Greek, Chinese, Timorese, Burmese, Tamil, Vietnamese, Filipino, Dari, Hindi-speaking and Ukrainian backgrounds. Since 2019, the program has trained 76 Ambassadors who have helped thousands of migrant workers across Victoria access free, in-language information about workplace rights, safety and support services. |
Changes for workers in Australia
Minimum wage increase
Australia's national minimum wage has increased to $26.44 per hour. Many workers are covered by awards, which may provide higher pay rates, so check your pay regularly to make sure you're being paid correctly.
Payday Super
Superannuation is now paid at the same time as your wages, making it easier to track and reducing unpaid or delayed super.
Parental Leave Pay
Parents of children born or adopted from 1 July 2026 can access:
- Up to 26 weeks (130 days) paid leave
- $1,004.90 per week (minimum wage rate)
- 12% superannuation contributions while on leave
Need help? |
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We give free legal help to workers in Victoria who were born overseas and who have experienced exploitation, mistreatment, disadvantage or unfairness in the workplace or breaches of their workplace rights. Depending on eligibility, our legal team can provide advice, help with legal documents, represent workers in some cases, or refer people to other organisations where appropriate. Please note that we cannot provide same-day legal advice, and appointments usually have a wait time of at least two weeks.
Supporting international students for safe and fair workStudy Melbourne’s International Student Employment & Accommodation Legal (ISEAL) Program is delivered by the Migrant Workers Centre (MWC) in partnership with Inner Melbourne Community Legal (IMCL). The ISEAL Program provides international students in Victoria with free access to legal help on employment and accommodation issues. Employment issues Legal help with work-related problems such as:
Employment legal advice is delivered through ISEAL appointments with the Migrant Workers Centre. Accommodation and tenancy issues ISEAL also covers housing and tenancy matters, including eviction, rent, repairs and bond issues. Tenancy legal advice is delivered by Inner Melbourne Community Legal (IMCL). If your issue is about housing or accommodation, you should contact IMCL directly to access tenancy support by clicking here or by calling IMCL on 03 9328 1885. Who can access ISEAL You can access this service if you:
Upcoming events here |
Latest resources
How to Read a Payslip
Understanding your payslip is key to making sure you're being paid correctly. This easy-to-read guide explains common payslip terms, deductions and payment details in plain English, helping you better understand your rights and pay at work in Australia.
Employment Document Checklist
Before you sign an employment contract, make sure you know what to look for. This practical checklist helps you understand your rights, review important employment documents and spot potential red flags before accepting a job.
Resources available here
Visa protections audio explainersNow available in 11 languages: English, Arabic, Burmese, Hindi, Indonesian, Mandarin, Nepali, Punjabi, Samoan, Spanish and Traditional Chinese. These short, easy-to-understand recordings cover the Workplace Justice Visa, the VEVO portal, and Strengthening Reporting Protections, helping migrant workers access important information in their preferred language.
Access audio recordings here
Research and Policy
New research from the Migrant Workes Centre, the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) and WorkSafe Victoria
Migrant workers are playing a critical role in Australia’s growing home-care sector, but their experiences are often missing from policy and system design.
Our latest research partnership between the Migrant Workers Centre and the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) highlights the risks migrant workers face on the job, and what needs to change.
Read the latest report here
Discrimination on the basis of immigration status
Migrant workers can face discrimination simply because of their visa status, even when they have full legal rights to work in Australia. In our latest policy brief, we explain how immigration status affects access to jobs, services and opportunities, and can influence how people are treated in the workplace and wider community.
Many employers wrongly prefer permanent residents over temporary visa holders, seeing them as more stable or valuable workers. This can make it harder for migrant workers to find secure employment, pushing many into low-paid or insecure jobs where they are at greater risk of exploitation. These challenges are often worse for people who remain on temporary visas for long periods, leading to ongoing uncertainty, underemployment and lost career opportunities.
Despite these impacts, immigration status is not widely protected under Australian anti-discrimination laws. The ACT is currently the only jurisdiction that provides this protection.
Our recommendations
- Recognise immigration status as a protected attribute in state and territory anti-discrimination laws.
- Update the Fair Work Act 2009 to include immigration status as a protected ground against discrimination.
Read the full policy brief here
Clean air. Clear lungs.
If you work in construction, manufacturing, tunnelling, demolition, mining, quarrying or stonemasonry, you could be exposed to silica dust on the job. Silica dust is created when materials like stone, concrete, bricks and tiles are cut, drilled or ground. These tiny particles can be breathed deep into the lungs and cause serious diseases, including silicosis and lung cancer.
Your employer must take steps to reduce exposure by using controls such as wet cutting, dust extraction systems and appropriate respiratory protective equipment. Workers also have a role to play by following safety procedures and wearing the required protective equipment.
If you're concerned about silica dust exposure, speak with your employer. In some cases, employers must arrange and pay for health monitoring to help detect any health impacts early and ensure control measures are working.
Resources available in Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese Hazaragi and Korean.
