compliance audit
Sponsor Compliance
Sponsoring an overseas worker is not a one-off event — it comes with ongoing legal obligations that continue for as long as you have sponsored workers in your business, and in some cases for up to 2 years after they leave. Our immigration lawyers help you stay compliant, respond to audits and protect your sponsorship approval.
- Legal obligation from day of sponsorship
- Penalties up to $93,900 per breach
- Department audits are real
What Is Sponsor Compliance?
From the moment your Standard Business Sponsorship is approved, your business takes on a set of legally binding obligations under the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Regulations 1994. These obligations do not end when the visa is granted — they remain in place throughout the employment of your sponsored workers and for a period after that employment ends.
The Department of Home Affairs conducts both random and targeted compliance audits of approved sponsors. Failure to meet your obligations can result in formal warnings, administrative sanctions, civil penalties and in serious cases, removal from the sponsorship program entirely.
How Amity Lawyers Protects Your Sponsorship
- Proactive compliance calendar — we track all notification deadlines for your sponsored workers
- Record keeping templates and guidance tailored to your business
- Immediate response when circumstances change (worker leaves, role changes, business restructure)
- Audit response — if you receive a Notice to Provide Information, we take over immediately
- Annual compliance health check — identifying risks before they become breaches
- Migration compliance training for your HR team
Core Sponsor Obligations
Notification Obligations (28 Days)
- Worker ceases employment
- Worker changes occupation
- Worker's work hours change significantly
- Significant changes to the business
Record Keeping Obligations
- Employment contracts and variations
- Payroll and tax records
- Recruitment and LMT documentation
- Keep for 2 years after employment ends
Cooperation Obligations
- Allow Department inspectors access
- Provide information when requested
- Respond to Notices to Provide Information
- Facilitate worker departure if required
Related Visa Types
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