To: Federal Government and the Department of Home Affairs
Call to Action: Demand Government Intervention on False Visa Declarations
We, the undersigned Australian Deck Officers, ROV Technicians, Offshore Construction Workers, Maintenance workers Offshore drilling workers, Cooks and Caterers, Crane Operators and Engineering Officers stand united in calling on the Federal Government and the Department of Home Affairs to take immediate and decisive action against companies abusing the foreign work visa system. The time for complacency is over. We demand that the Government stop turning a blind eye to the blatant exploitation of foreign work visas by companies making false declarations about market testing, claiming there is a shortage of skilled Australian workers when, in fact, plenty of qualified, capable workers are readily available.
For too long, we’ve witnessed Australian jobs being handed to foreign workers under the guise of so-called “skills shortages,” while our own highly trained professionals are left on the sidelines. This isn’t just a slap in the face to those of us who have invested time, money, and effort into developing our expertise in the offshore industry—it’s an outright betrayal of Australian workers.
It’s outrageous that companies are allowed to manipulate the system to hire cheaper foreign labour at the expense of local workers. These false declarations of market testing are not just dishonest; they’re a direct attack on the livelihoods of Australians. We know the truth—there is no shortage of skilled Australian workers, only a shortage of companies willing to hire them.
We demand the following immediate actions:
- Stricter Visa Scrutiny: The Department of Home Affairs must enforce tougher checks on companies applying for foreign work visas, ensuring proper market testing and that no qualified Australians are overlooked.
- Penalties for False Declarations: Companies submitting false visa declarations must face significant fines, visa application suspensions and to banned from engaging any future visa workers, for a minimum period of 5 years.
- Australian Workers First: The Government must prioritize Australian workers for all sectors, including offshore operations, before approving foreign worker visas.
- Real-Time Complaint Handling: Establish a point of contact within Home Affairs for immediate reporting and investigation of visa misuse, ensuring swift action when issues arise.
- Training When Genuine Shortage Arises: Companies who engage foreign visa workers to engage one new apprentice, trainee or cadet, where it is agreed there is a genuine shortage of available Australian workers and a legitimate need to engage foreign workers.
Why is this important?
This blatant disregard for Australian jobs is a slap in the face to every skilled worker in our industry. We demand immediate action to protect our livelihoods and ensure that Australian workers are always given priority for these critical roles.
If the government fails to act, we will not stay silent. The refusal to fix this issue will be met with escalating resistance, and we will fight relentlessly until Australian jobs are safeguarded for Australian workers—no exceptions, no excuses.
If the government fails to act, we will not stay silent. The refusal to fix this issue will be met with escalating resistance, and we will fight relentlessly until Australian jobs are safeguarded for Australian workers—no exceptions, no excuses.