# Declaration of person as prohibited employer

> act-s245AYK — as in force on 2026-06-04 — C2026C00232 · Compilation No. 171 — https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026C00232/latest/text

245AYK Declaration of person as prohibited employer
          (1) The Minister may, in writing, declare a person to be a prohibited
              employer for a period if:
               (a) the person is subject to a migrant worker sanction under a
                   particular provision of this Subdivision; and
               (b) the period of 5 years starting on the day the person became
                   subject to a migrant worker sanction under that provision has
                   not ended.
               Note:      A person may be subject to a migrant worker sanction under more
                          than one provision of this Subdivision or subject to a migrant worker
                          sanction multiple times under a single such provision. There is a
                          separate 5 year period each time the person becomes subject to a
                          migrant worker sanction.

          (2) A declaration made under subsection (1) is not a legislative
              instrument.
               Note:      A declaration made under subsection (1) can be varied or revoked
                          under subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

               Process before making declaration
          (3) Before the Minister declares a person to be a prohibited employer
              for a period, the Minister must give the person a written notice:
                (a) stating that the Minister proposes to make such a declaration
                    and the reasons for it; and
                (b) inviting the person to make a written submission to the
                    Minister, within the period covered by subsection (4), setting









                      out reasons why the Minister should not make the
                      declaration.
          (4) The period covered by this subsection is whichever of the
              following periods ends later:
                (a) the period ending 28 days after the day the person is given
                    notice by the Minister under subsection (3);
                (b) if a period is stated in that notice for the making of a written
                    submission—the period stated.
          (5) In making a decision about whether to declare a person (the first
              person) to be a prohibited employer for a period, the Minister must
              consider:
                (a) any written submission made by the first person under
                     subsection (3) that is received by the Minister within the
                     period covered by subsection (4); and
                (b) the nature and severity of the non-compliance (the relevant
                     non-compliance) to which the migrant worker sanction
                     relates; and
                (c) the impact the relevant non-compliance has had on:
                       (i) the non-citizen to whom the migrant worker sanction
                           relates; and
                      (ii) any other individuals affected by the non-compliance;
                           and
                     (iii) the relevant industry, including impact on the reputation
                           of the industry, economic repercussions and any other
                           relevant issues that may have an impact on the
                           operations of the industry; and
                (d) whether the relevant non-compliance was intentional,
                     reckless or inadvertent; and
                (e) the likely impact making the declaration would have on:
                       (i) other persons employed by the first person; and
                      (ii) services in the community provided by the first person;
                           and
                 (f) the first person’s history of compliance or non-compliance
                     with the laws to which migrant worker sanctions relate; and









                 (g) the first person’s response to the relevant non-compliance;
                      and
                 (h) how much time has passed since the relevant non-compliance
                      occurred and any sanctions that have already been imposed
                      on the first person in relation to the relevant non-compliance;
                      and
                  (i) any action the first person has taken to report the relevant
                      non-compliance or to ensure future compliance with the laws
                      to which migrant worker sanctions relate.

               Notification and duration of declaration
          (6) If the Minister declares a person to be a prohibited employer, the
              Minister must, as soon as reasonably practicable, give the person a
              copy of the declaration.
          (7) The declaration comes into effect at the start of whichever of the
              following days is later:
                (a) the day after the day the declaration is given to the person;
                (b) the day stated in the declaration as the day the declaration
                    comes into effect.
          (8) The declaration has effect during the period specified in the
              declaration (unless sooner revoked).
        (8A) For the purposes of subsection (8), the maximum period that can be
             specified in the declaration is set out in the following table.

 Item      If the non-compliance in relation          the maximum period for the
           to which the person is subject to a        declaration is …
           migrant worker sanction is …
 1         an offence against one or more of          No maximum period
           the following provisions of the
           Criminal Code:
           (a) Division 270 (other than
               section 270.7B or section 270.8
               to the extent an offence against
               that section relates to an offence









 Item      If the non-compliance in relation           the maximum period for the
           to which the person is subject to a         declaration is …
           migrant worker sanction is …
               against section 270.7B);
           (b) Division 271 (other than
               Subdivision BA)
 2         another offence (other than an              10 years
           offence mentioned in item 1)
 3         any other non-compliance not                5 years
           mentioned in item 1 or 2

               Review by the Administrative Review Tribunal
          (9) Applications may be made to the ART for review of a decision
              under subsection (1) to declare a person to be a prohibited
              employer.
               Note:      Section 266 of the ART Act requires that people whose interests are
                          affected by the Minister’s decision be given notice of their rights to
                          seek review of the decision.
