The Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026 has now been enacted, introducing targeted amendments to the Migration Act 1958 aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in the employer sponsorship framework. A key development is the introduction of a new provision enabling the Department to publish information about approved work sponsors on its website. This represents a significant shift toward public transparency of sponsor activity, with potential reputational and compliance implications for businesses engaging in the migration program.

The Act is scheduled to commence on a date to be fixed by Proclamation, or automatically within six months of Royal Assent if not proclaimed earlier.

Practical implications:
• Increased scrutiny of sponsor behaviour and nomination patterns
• Greater emphasis on compliance and record-keeping
• Heightened importance of accurate and defensible sponsorship practices
• Advisers should ensure clients are aware of the potential for public disclosure

Information that may be published includes:

• The name of the approved sponsor
• ABN and associated details
• The type of sponsorship approval
• The number of nominations lodged
• The occupations nominated