The Migration Amendment (Infringement Notices) Regulations 2024, effective from 1 July 2024, introduce substantial changes to enhance employer compliance with migration laws. These amendments follow the royal assent of the Strengthening Employer Compliance Act on 20 February 2024, marking a significant step towards stricter enforcement and adherence to migration regulations.
Increased Penalties for Compliance
To ensure stricter adherence to migration laws, the penalties for infringement notices have been increased. These new penalties align with the heightened civil penalty amounts introduced by the Strengthening Employer Compliance Act, emphasizing the importance of compliance and the severe consequences of violations.
New Civil Penalty Provisions for Compliance
The amendments include provisions for issuing infringement notices for alleged contraventions of new civil penalty provisions. These new measures specifically target employer misconduct and misuse of migration programs, representing a comprehensive approach to maintaining and enforcing compliance within the migration system.
Removal of Half-Penalty Option to Enhance Compliance
The previous option allowing a reduced penalty for first-time contraventions has been eliminated. This change ensures that penalties accurately reflect the seriousness of non-compliance, thereby discouraging employers from risking violations of migration laws.
Standardised Penalty Amounts for Compliance
The regulation introduces a standard penalty amount for infringement notices, set at one-fifth of the civil penalty provision for both individuals and corporate bodies. This standardisation simplifies the penalty process and underscores the critical importance of adhering to migration regulations.
