The exploitation of migrant workers is among the most pressing human rights issues in Australia, and globally, today. This is the product of laws and policies that can—and must—be changed.

Our founders, law professors at UTS and UNSW, established Migrant Justice Institute (MJI) in 2021 to drive this change, following two decades at the forefront of research and policy reform for migrants in Australia and globally.

As Australia’s only national research and policy organisation dedicated to addressing migrant worker exploitation, MJI is uniquely positioned as a policy influencer and change-maker in this area—and our work has already created significant impact.

We strategically use research, advocacy and community engagement to achieve fair treatment and justice for migrant workers globally, and in Australia. Our rigorous research uncovers the reality of migrant worker exploitation and the operation of laws and systems in practice. We seek to compel systemic change by governments and businesses by charting evidence-based pathways to reform, grounded in migrants’ experiences. We closely collaborate with migrant communities, civil society organisations and trade unions to amplify migrants’ voices and support migrant worker empowerment.

Our work has shaped practices of governments, businesses and international organisations in Asia, the USA and the Middle East, and has driven Australian government policy reforms on wage theft, access to justice, and pandemic-related support for migrant workers. 

We retain close connections with UTS Law Faculty and UNSW Faculty of Law & Justice and have offices located at UNSW in Sydney.

UTS Law Faculty and UNSW Faculty of Law & Justice are proud supporters of the Migrant Justice Institute.