Two Brisbane women are expected to face the Brisbane Magistrates Court today (7 November, 2025) charged with forced labour and debt bondage offences.
The AFP's Human Trafficking Team (HTT) began an investigation in April, 2024, following a report from the Fair Work Ombudsman relating to the owners of a Manly West restaurant.
It will be alleged in court the complainant was forced to undertake duties outside the scope of her employment at the restaurant, and allegedly received threats to her ongoing visa application, which was being sponsored by the restaurant owners.
It is further alleged the women charged the complainant a $60,000 fee to sponsor her visa for permanent residency, and this debt was held against the complainant during the alleged offending.
On 26 August, 2025, AFP HTT members executed search warrants at residences in Rochedale and Kuraby, where police seized documents allegedly relating to the restaurant and the complainant, as well as electronic devices.
Both women, aged 39 and 40, were issued with a notice to appear in court today on charges of:
- Causing a person to enter into, or remain in, forced labour, contrary to section 270.6A(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of 12 years' imprisonment; and
- Debt bondage, contrary to section 270.7C of the Criminal Code (Cth), which carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said forced labor and debt bondage were tantamount to modern day slavery.
"Debt bondage - forcing someone to work to repay an excessive debt - shows a similar key theme police often deal with, and that is preying on the vulnerable and the desperate," Det Supt Telfer said.
"This is criminal behaviour, as it exploits the real value of the work someone is doing, which may not be applied to a debt, while debts can also grow if employers undervalue any work that is undertaken.
"It is important for police to crack down on debt bondage and instances of forced labor to protect victims, and we will continue to target those who seek to exploit vulnerable members of our community.
"It is also important for migrant workers coming to Australia to know their rights.
"An employer or sponsor cannot cancel your visa - only the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs can cancel a visa.
"If your employer treats you poorly, and you make a report to the Fair Work Ombudsman, your visa will not automatically be cancelled, even if your employer sponsored you to come to Australia."
