# Referring an unlawful non-citizen for work

> act-s245AE — as in force on 2026-06-04 — C2026C00232 · Compilation No. 171 — https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026C00232/latest/text

245AE Referring an unlawful non-citizen for work
          (1) A person (the first person) contravenes this subsection if:
               (a) the first person operates a service, whether for reward or
                   otherwise, referring other persons to third persons for work;
                   and
               (b) the first person refers another person (the prospective
                   worker) to a third person for work; and
               (c) at the time of the referral, the prospective worker is an
                   unlawful non-citizen.
          (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the first person takes reasonable
              steps at reasonable times before the referral to verify that the
              prospective worker is not an unlawful non-citizen, including (but
              not limited to) either of the following steps:









                 (a) using a computer system prescribed by the regulations to
                     verify that matter;
                 (b) doing any one or more things prescribed by the regulations.

               Offence
          (3) A person commits an offence if the person contravenes
              subsection (1). The physical elements of the offence are set out in
              that subsection.
               Note:      A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in
                          subsection (2) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).

               Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years or 360 penalty units, or both.
          (4) For the purposes of subsection (3), the fault element for
              paragraph (1)(c) is knowledge or recklessness by the first person.

               Civil penalty provision
          (5) A person is liable to a civil penalty if the person contravenes
              subsection (1).
               Note:      It is not necessary to prove a person’s state of mind in proceedings for
                          a civil penalty order (see section 486ZF).

               Civil penalty:           240 penalty units.
          (6) A person who wishes to rely on subsection (2) in proceedings for a
              civil penalty order bears an evidential burden in relation to the
              matter in that subsection.