In 2019, the Migrant Workers’ Taskforce recommended extending the FEG to temporary migrant workers, a recommendation that was accepted by the Morrison Government but is yet to be legislated.

I dedicated five years of my career to a company I believed in, all while my Permanent Residency (PR) application was in progress. After waiting 12 months for approval, my employer suddenly went into liquidation - leaving me without wages, redundancy pay, or any financial support. Because my PR wasn’t approved in time, I was deemed ineligible for the Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG), despite years of hard work and contributions to Australia’s economy. This unfair loophole leaves thousands of workers like me unprotected, and it needs to change!

Thousands of skilled migrant workers contribute billions of dollars to Australia’s economy every year—paying taxes, filling critical skill shortages, and driving innovation across industries like healthcare, IT, and construction. Yet, when an employer collapses, we are denied access to the Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG)—a safety net that protects Australian citizens and permanent residents by covering unpaid wages, redundancy, and other entitlements.

This is unjust and discriminatory. Temporary migrant workers pay the same taxes, contribute to the workforce, and help businesses thrive, yet we are left financially stranded when companies go into liquidation. We deserve equal protection under Australian employment laws.

We call on the Federal Government and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Murray Watt, to:
We demand the Australian Government take action: 
1. Extend FEG to all workers—no exceptions. 
 2. Include unpaid superannuation in the scheme. 
3. Close the loopholes that let dodgy bosses walk away. 
4. Guarantee workers can recover wages and entitlements, even if their employer disappears.

Background & Issues:

1. Exclusion of Temporary Migrant Workers:

Under the current Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG), only Australian citizens, permanent residents, and certain visa holders are eligible to receive unpaid wages, redundancy pay, and other entitlements when an employer becomes insolvent.

Temporary Migrant workers whom are classed as "residents for tax purposes", including those on Bridging Visas awaiting PR, Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visas, and other work-related visas, are excluded from FEG support, leaving them financially vulnerable if their employer goes bankrupt. 

2. Unfair Disadvantage to Long-Term Contributors:

Many of these workers have lived and worked in Australia for years, paid taxes, and contributed to the economy, yet they are denied the same protections as their permanent resident counterparts.

Their exclusion discriminates against individuals who are in the process of becoming full-fledged members of the Australian workforce.

3. Economic & Social Impacts:

Leaving skilled migrant workers unprotected increases the risk of financial hardship, homelessness, and exploitation.

These workers cannot easily change employers due to visa conditions, making them more vulnerable in insolvency situations.

By extending FEG to cover all workers, Australia would strengthen workplace fairness and economic security for all.

Why This Change is Necessary:

Promotes fairness by treating workers equally regardless of their visa status.

Protects all migrant workers from financial hardship due to no fault of their own.

Strengthens Australia’s economy by ensuring all workers receive their rightful entitlements.

We call upon the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to introduce a legislative amendment to Parliament addressing this issue.