--- title: Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee — Australia Scam Alert description: Active scam alert: Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee is targeting immigrants in Australia. How it works, red flags, and how to protect yourself. image: https://migrantiq.com/og/default.png --- Skip to content Advertisement728 × 90AdSense zone 🇦🇺 FAKE JOB OFFER AND WORK PERMIT FEE HighEmployment FraudPublisher: MigrantIQ Safety3 min read2 reported cases Editorially reviewedLast updated 2026-10-04Reviewed by MigrantIQ Editorial TeamOfficial reporting channel ↗ [https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/] Safety guidance, not emergency support If you are in immediate danger or have already lost money, contact local emergency services, your bank, and the official fraud reporting channel in the destination country. MigrantIQ provides general safety guidance. Terms [/terms/]Privacy [/privacy/]Report an issue [/contact/] HOW THIS SCAM WORKS WHAT IS THE FAKE JOB OFFER AND WORK PERMIT FEE SCAM? Fraudsters often target job seekers in Australia by sending fake job offers that appear legitimate. These offers are commonly aimed at skilled workers, care workers, and those in the hospitality sector. After receiving a job offer, the applicant is requested to pay various fees related to work permits, medical examinations, insurance, accommodation, and courier services. These fees are typically requested before any formal employment contract has been signed or before the applicant has even met the employer. This scam exploits the hopes of those seeking employment in Australia, often leading to significant financial loss. HOW CAN I IDENTIFY THIS SCAM? Many job seekers wonder how to differentiate between a genuine job offer and a scam. One key indicator is the lack of a formal interview or skills assessment. Genuine employers will typically conduct interviews to assess candidates. the salary offered may be unusually high compared to the average market rate, raising further suspicion. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT A SCAM? You should report any suspicious job offers to the relevant authorities. The Australian government provides resources for reporting such scams, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Department of Home Affairs. Always conduct thorough research before accepting any job offer or making payments. RED FLAGS * Job offer arrives without an interview or skills assessment * Salary offered is significantly higher than the market average * Employer requests upfront payment for immigration or recruitment fees * Company website, address, or registration details cannot be verified HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF To protect yourself from falling victim to this scam, always verify the legitimacy of the employer. Check official company registries and contact details to ensure the organization is registered in Australia. Never pay recruitment or work permit fees to personal bank accounts. If a job offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Confirm the legality of the employer and their practices through official channels, such as the Department of Home Affairs. WHAT TO DO IF TARGETED * - Stop communication and do not send more money or documents * - Save messages, receipts, contracts, profile links, and phone numbers * - Contact your bank or payment provider if money was sent * - Report through official fraud, police, or immigration channels Official reporting channel → [https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/] PREVENTION TIPS * - Only pay government fees through official portals * - Do not trust guaranteed visa approvals or secret appointment slots * - Verify employer, school, agent, or landlord identities independently * - Avoid personal-account transfers and pressure tactics EMERGENCY & REPORTING CONTACTS If there is immediate danger, contact local emergency services. If money was sent, contact your bank/payment provider and official fraud reporting channels. SOURCES & REFERENCES * MigrantIQ scam alert record Published 2026-05-07. * Australia official reporting channels [https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/] Use official reporting channels if you were targeted or lost money. WHO IS TARGETED job seekersskilled workerscare workershospitality workers Feedback Was this guide helpful? Your answer helps us improve guides and update priority. YesNo Summarize this page with AI Opens your assistant with a pre-filled prompt (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude). Gemini uses Google AI Mode. Ask AI ↗ Not affiliated with any AI platform. Always verify immigration rules on official government sites. SCAM SAFETY FAQ SHOULD I PAY ANY FEE BEFORE MY VISA IS APPROVED? Legitimate government fees are paid through official channels with receipts. Never wire cash to personal accounts for a “guaranteed” outcome. HOW DO I REPORT A SUSPICIOUS OFFER? Collect evidence (messages, contracts), then report through your destination country’s fraud or immigration reporting channels and warn your community. Advertisement300 × 250AdSense zone MORE ALERTS * Document Translation, Notary, or Apostille Overcharge [/scam-alerts/australia/document-translation-notary-overcharge/] * Fake Border, Airport, or Fast-Track Assistance Fee [/scam-alerts/australia/fake-border-airport-assistance-fee/] * Fake University or Scholarship Letter [/scam-alerts/australia/fake-university-or-scholarship-letter/] * Rental Deposit Before Viewing or Contract [/scam-alerts/australia/rental-deposit-before-viewing/] CONTINUE * All Australia alerts [/scam-alerts/australia/] * Global hub [/scam-alerts/] Plan smarter Save countries, compare destinations, track visa checklists, and sync your migration plan across devices. Open My Plan [/plan/]Account Dashboard [/account/] Free resources TOOLS & GUIDES Full sitemap → [/sitemap/] PLAN YOUR MOVE * Eligibility quiz [/tools/eligibility/] * Tax calculator [/tools/tax-calculator/] * Tax compare [/tools/tax-compare/] * Tax guides [/tools/tax-guides/] * Points calculator [/tools/points-calculator/] * Cost calculator [/calculator/] * Move planner [/tools/planner/] * Best country [/tools/best-country/] * Pathway finder [/tools/pathway-finder/] * Corridor fit [/tools/corridor-fit/] * Compare 3 countries [/tools/compare-three/] * Job → visa matcher [/tools/job-visa-match/] * Scam checker [/tools/scam-check/] * All tools [/tools/] GUIDES & SAFETY * Visa guides [/visas/] * Scholarships [/scholarships/] * Government jobs [/government-jobs/] * Immigration updates [/countries/canada/immigration-updates/] * Embassies [/embassies/] * Laws [/laws/] * Scam alerts [/scam-alerts/] * Checklists [/checklist/] * Country profiles [/countries/] COMMUNITY * Q&A [/qa/] * People stories [/stories/] * Blog [/blog/] * Android app (Google Play) [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en] * Write for us [/write-for-us/] * Experts [/experts/] * Apply for expert listing [/experts/apply/] * Documentation [/documentation/] * Employers (HR) [/employers/] ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","logo":"https://migrantiq.com/logo.png","description":"MigrantIQ publishes free migration guides covering visas, laws, costs, culture, banking, healthcare, scam alerts, and moving checklists for 220 countries.","knowsAbout":["immigration","visa requirements","moving abroad","cost of living","immigrant laws","scam protection","arrival checklists"],"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/migrantiq/","https://x.com/MigrantIQ","https://www.instagram.com/migrantiqorg/","https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.migrantiq.app&hl=en"],"contactPoint":[{"@type":"ContactPoint","contactType":"customer support","email":"Info@MigrantIQ.com","url":"https://migrantiq.com/contact/","availableLanguage":["English"]}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#website","name":"MigrantIQ","url":"https://migrantiq.com","publisher":{"@id":"https://migrantiq.com/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en","potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://migrantiq.com/search/?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://migrantiq.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Scam Alerts","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Australia","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/australia/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee","item":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/australia/fake-job-offer-work-permit-fee/"}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https://migrantiq.com/scam-alerts/australia/fake-job-offer-work-permit-fee/#article","headline":"Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee in Australia: How to Spot and Avoid It","description":"### What is the Fake Job Offer and Work Permit Fee Scam?\n\nFraudsters often target job seekers in Australia by sending fake job offers that appear legitimate. These offers are commonly aimed at skilled workers, care workers, and those in the hospitality sector. After receiving a job offer, the applicant is requested to pay various fees related to work permits, medical examinations, insurance, accommodation, and courier services. These fees are typically requested before any formal employment contract has been signed or before the applicant has even met the employer. This scam exploits the hopes of those seeking employment in Australia, often leading to significant financial loss.\n\n### How Can I Identify This Scam?\n\nMany job seekers wonder how to differentiate between a genuine job offer and a scam. One key indicator is the lack of a formal interview or skills assessment. Genuine employers will typically conduct interviews to assess candidates. the salary offered may be unusually high compared to the average market rate, raising further suspicion.\n\n### What Should I Do if I Suspect a Scam?\n\nYou should report any suspicious job offers to the relevant authorities. The Australian government provides resources for reporting such scams, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Department of Home Affairs. 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