Bethan Flood, November 2016 

It is easy, when you are busy and in recruitment mode, to sometimes forget to complete all aspects of the recruitment process, particularly when you have just found a great employee!

However, it is important when employing someone born overseas to ensure that they have a relevant working visa for Australia. This can be a little tricky sometimes, but it is up to you to ensure all of your employees have the right to work in Australia.

Documents that are a proof of the Right to Work are:

• Full Australian Birth Certificate (if born before 20 August 1986) and a form of photo ID
• Full Australian Birth Certificate (if born on or after 20 .08 .1986), a form of photo ID and evidence that at least one parent was an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the time of the child’s birth
• Australian Citizenship Certificate
• New Zealand Passport
• Australian Passport
• New Zealand Birth certificate and a form of photo ID
• Certificate of evidence of resident status
• Valid Visa with work rights

One of the easiest ways to confirm someone’s working approvals is by the use of the VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) system, this can reduce your risk of employing someone without the correct visa. Find out more here. 

This system allows you to confirm the right to work status of your employees on foreign passports. Alternatively, you can ask your new employee to send their visa details directly to you using the VEVO email function. This VEVO email function will ensure you receive an email directly from the visa holder with their VEVO results and can be used as evidence that you took steps to confirm permission to work.

Unfortunately, the statement “You didn’t realise”, is not a defence against prosecution if the Department of Immigration and Border Protection visit your practice.

Prime Practice Masters and Management clients receive 5 hours of HR advice complimentary each year, Growth clients receive 25% off advertised prices.

Please call HR Solutions if you have any queries in relation to the above or general HR advice queries.