The Federal Magistrates Court has handed down a decision against a Victorian 457 visa sponsor who underpaid a worker by $10 000. According to DIAC, this is the first time an action had been brought before the courts under the Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Act 2008.
The 457 sponsor had failed two of the sponsorship obligations: the obligation to pay equivalent terms and conditions, and the obligation to keep appropriate pay records. The court issued a pecuniary penalty of $35 000 plus costs of almost $11 000.