JAKARTA - A recent nationwide audit of regional pubs, cafes, and restaurants has uncovered more than $300,000 in unpaid wages owed to migrant workers in Australia, according to the Australian Border Force (ABF). 

The seven-month audit, called Operation Odin, found workers were underpaid, made to work excessive hours, or had money illegally deducted. Affected businesses have faced sanctions, including losing sponsorship rights, receiving compliance notices, and being ordered to repay wages.

One Victorian restaurant repaid over $50,000 after failing to pay penalty rates, while a New South Wales venue returned more than $31,000 in wages and superannuation. These findings were exclusively reported by Annika Smethurst of The Sydney Morning Herald dated March 29.

“We do see migrant workers continuing to be exploited in the hospitality industry ... it’s an industry where lots of migrant workers work,” said Matt Kunkel of Australia’s Migrant Workers Centre. He said exploitation can affect workers’ long-term plans, including opportunities for permanent settlement.

In 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government made it a criminal offence to exploit workers through their visa status and introduced protections for those who report abuse. Authorities have recovered over $300,000 in unpaid wages, with investigations continuing into at least 80 businesses.

As of 2026, official annual figures specifically listing how many Australia residents were born in Asia or the broader Asia‑Pacific region are not yet published. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has scheduled its next “Population by Country of Birth” release for 29 April 2026, which will provide those precise 2026‑era numbers.

As of 2024, the most recent data available, Australia’s population was estimated at 27.2 million, with about 8.6 million people — nearly one-third — born overseas. 

The largest groups of overseas-born residents were from India (916,000), China (700,000), the Philippines (394,000), Vietnam (319,000), Nepal (198,000), Malaysia (183,000), and Indonesia (120,000).