Immigration raids office over alleged visa fraud

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection has raided the office of mining sub-contractor Murphy Pipe & Civil over allegations it has been assisting foreign employees fraudulently obtain work visas.

A spokesperson from the Department of Immigration said the investigation was looking into allegations that the company had “allegedly been employing a large number of 457 visa holders in low-skilled positions, outside their nominated occupations”.

“All businesses that sponsor 457 visa holders are required to comply with the sponsorship obligations and the department takes any alleged breach of this very seriously,” the spokesperson said.

“Sponsors can face having their sponsorship cancelled and barred for up to five years.”

The spokesperson said sponsorship cancellations would have a significant impact on businesses as they would not be able to sponsor further workers.

“The department may consider cancellation of their current sponsored workers,” the spokesperson said.

In WA, Murphy's website cites it had a $123 million contract on the Sino Iron Project owned by Citic Pacific which had 350 employees over 2010 and 2011, and $13 million contract with SKM on a Ro Tinto project near Pannawonica which had 50 employees over 2012 and 2013.