Employer Compliance & Sponsorship Obligations

Web Desc
Subject Matter As the Department of Home Affairs intensifies its focus on program integrity, understanding the rigorous compliance framework for sponsors and employers is more critical than ever. This session provides a comprehensive deep dive into the legal obligations and compliance requirements for employers and sponsors under the Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994. Participants will gain a practical understanding of the lifecycle of sponsorship, from the commencement of obligations to the long-tail liabilities that persist after a visa holder has left. We will examine the latest legislative changes, including the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024, and discuss how practitioners can proactively help their clients audit their internal systems and provide preventative solutions to mitigate the risk of sanctions, civil and criminal penalties, and reputational damage. Content The Sponsorship Lifecycle: Identifying exactly when specific obligations commence and the "sunset" periods for record-keeping and travel cost liabilities. Core Obligations in Focus: Record Keeping, notifiable events, notification time limits, and limitations on employing sponsored and non-sponsored employees. The Current Compliance Landscape: An analysis of the new "Paying for Visa Conduct" prohibitions and increased civil penalty provisions. Compliance Offences under the Migration Act: From paying for visa conduct to employing unlawful non-citizens or lawful non-citizens without sufficient work rights, and what are the acceptable defences under the act and regulations. Site Visits and Monitoring: What to expect during an ABF inspection, the powers of inspectors, and the obligation to cooperate. Consequences of Non-Compliance: A review of the sanctions' regime, including infringement notices, enforceable undertakings, sponsorship cancellations and bars, as well as civil and criminal penalties. Advising the Employer: Practical strategies for HR audits, establishing internal flagging systems for reporting, and managing the "innocent mistake" vs. systemic breach. Educator Ahmad Shady AFMIA Registered Migration Agent, A2Z Consult Schedule Saturday, 25 July 2026 10:00am - 1:15pm AEST (Sydney time) Continuing Professional Development Registered Migration Agents 3 CPD \| Category A RMAs must attend for the full duration in order to obtain CPD points. Legal Practitioners 3 CPD \| Substantive Law Legal practitioners are eligible to earn points for this CPD. The MIA is an approved QA Provider of CPD for the Legal Profession in Western Australia. Other Information Resources You will need access to a computer or laptop with a reliable internet connection and speakers. For group discussion, you may also require a microphone and/or video. Earphones with a microphone that come standard with many mobile phones may be suitable. Please join this test meeting to check your internet, speakers and microphone prior to registering. Recording Disclosure This online event may be recorded. By registering and logging on to the event, the participant agrees to the following: Personally identifiable information of participants may be heard, seen, read, collected, or used by the MIA as the organiser and the other online seminar participants; Any communication or information transmitted during the online seminar, such as voice, instant messages, or presentations are available to and may be recorded and further used by the MIA as the organiser. For further information, please call 02 9249 9000 or email [email protected]. Our terms and conditions can be accessed here.

Subject Matter

As the Department of Home Affairs intensifies its focus on program integrity, understanding the rigorous compliance framework for sponsors and employers is more critical than ever. This session provides a comprehensive deep dive into the legal obligations and compliance requirements for employers and sponsors under the Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994.

Participants will gain a practical understanding of the lifecycle of sponsorship, from the commencement of obligations to the long-tail liabilities that persist after a visa holder has left.

We will examine the latest legislative changes, including the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024, and discuss how practitioners can proactively help their clients audit their internal systems and provide preventative solutions to mitigate the risk of sanctions, civil and criminal penalties, and reputational damage.

Content

The Sponsorship Lifecycle: Identifying exactly when specific obligations commence and the "sunset" periods for record-keeping and travel cost liabilities.
Core Obligations in Focus: Record Keeping, notifiable events, notification time limits, and limitations on employing sponsored and non-sponsored employees.
The Current Compliance Landscape: An analysis of the new "Paying for Visa Conduct" prohibitions and increased civil penalty provisions.
Compliance Offences under the Migration Act: From paying for visa conduct to employing unlawful non-citizens or lawful non-citizens without sufficient work rights, and what are the acceptable defences under the act and regulations.
Site Visits and Monitoring: What to expect during an ABF inspection, the powers of inspectors, and the obligation to cooperate.
Consequences of Non-Compliance: A review of the sanctions' regime, including infringement notices, enforceable undertakings, sponsorship cancellations and bars, as well as civil and criminal penalties.
Advising the Employer: Practical strategies for HR audits, establishing internal flagging systems for reporting, and managing the "innocent mistake" vs. systemic breach.

Educator

Ahmad Shady AFMIA
Registered Migration Agent, A2Z Consult

Schedule

Saturday, 25 July 2026
10:00am - 1:15pm AEST (Sydney time)

Continuing Professional Development

Registered Migration Agents

3 CPD | Category A

RMAs must attend for the full duration in order to obtain CPD points.

Legal Practitioners

3 CPD | Substantive Law

Legal practitioners are eligible to earn points for this CPD. The MIA is an approved QA Provider of CPD for the Legal Profession in Western Australia.

Other Information

Resources

You will need access to a computer or laptop with a reliable internet connection and speakers. For group discussion, you may also require a microphone and/or video. Earphones with a microphone that come standard with many mobile phones may be suitable.

Please join this test meeting to check your internet, speakers and microphone prior to registering.

Recording Disclosure

This online event may be recorded. By registering and logging on to the event, the participant agrees to the following:

Personally identifiable information of participants may be heard, seen, read, collected, or used by the MIA as the organiser and the other online seminar participants;
Any communication or information transmitted during the online seminar, such as voice, instant messages, or presentations are available to and may be recorded and further used by the MIA as the organiser.

For further information, please call 02 9249 9000 or email [email protected].
Our terms and conditions can be accessed here.