Businesses should consider allocating resources for immigration compliance as part of their overall human resources or legal budgets depending on their size and specific needs. This may include hiring immigration lawyers or migration agents, investing in RegTech products like Complize to manage immigration-related data and processes, training staff to ensure compliance, and immigration auditing to ensure compliance with immigration laws and regulations.

The specific immigration compliance budget for a business will depend on its size, industry, and specific needs, as well as any changes in immigration policies or regulations that may occur in the future.

In Australia, all international workers must obtain a working visa and businesses must ensure that employees have the legal right to work and maintain accurate records related to immigration status. Failing to comply with Australian Immigration laws can result in legal penalties, fines, and even criminal charges. Businesses should take the necessary steps to ensure that they have an adequate budget to cover any necessary compliance measures.

It’s especially important at the moment with the newly appointed Australian Labor Government in power and the review of the Australian Immigration System that businesses stay up to date with changes in immigration laws and regulations that may impact their operations, particularly if they rely on migrant workers or international talent.

Immigration compliance includes costs associated with auditing as well. Auditing is an essential part of ensuring compliance with immigration laws and regulations. It involves reviewing your business processes and procedures to ensure that you are complying with all relevant laws and regulations. This includes verifying that your company is properly completing and retaining all required documentation. The cost of an immigration compliance audit is a worthwhile investment in ensuring that your business complies with immigration laws and regulations. An audit can help identify potential compliance issues before they become major problems and can help prevent fines, penalties, and other legal consequences. By budgeting for auditing as part of your immigration compliance plan, you can ensure that your business is operating legally and efficiently.

It’s important to include immigration compliance in your 2024 business budget for several reasons:

• Legal compliance: As a business, you are required to comply with immigration laws and regulations. Failure to do so can result in legal consequences, including fines, penalties, and even criminal charges.
• Reputation and brand image: Non-compliance with immigration laws can negatively impact your reputation and brand image. It may also deter potential clients, customers, or employees from working with your business.
• Financial risks: Non-compliance can lead to financial risks, such as increased legal fees, fines, and penalties. It can also lead to potential loss of revenue, contracts, and business opportunities.
• Employee retention: Ensuring immigration compliance can also help retain valuable employees who may be impacted by immigration policies. This can help maintain a stable workforce and reduce turnover.
• Global market competition: As businesses increasingly compete on a global scale, compliance with immigration laws becomes even more critical. Ignoring immigration compliance may put your business at a disadvantage compared to competitors who prioritize compliance.

By including immigration compliance in your 2024 business budget, you can allocate resources and invest in systems, processes, and training that ensure compliance with immigration laws and regulations. This can help your business operate legally and smoothly while avoiding potential legal and financial risks.

For more information about immigration compliance, please contact us.