Tax is still deducted from wages even if the number is false, and passed into the tax office, i trust. That is a very trusting statement. I think it would end up in the bosses pocket. It doesn't take much to account for that number. A name must match a number. This problem lies with sleezy employers, willing to hide illegals for their own benefit.

There are significant differences between visa over stayers and asylum seekers.

Visa over stayers face instant deportation on discovery and being barred from re entry. They cannot access free public health care or schooling, cannot own land, open a bank account without withholding tax, and cannot legally work. If they do work, their wages cannot be deducted by the employer for tax purposes, and the employer faces heavy fines. So if they do work, it is generally for significantly less than what they would clear after tax.

In short they cost the tax payer nothing in stark contrast to the economic "refugees" on the boats who destroy their papers who cost the tax payer tens of thousands each after they are accepted and far more before.

This is why the cost of boat related border protection has more than quadrupled under labor.

*That is a very trusting statement. I think it would end up in the bosses pocket.*

579, I don't think you know how the tax office works, with cross
referencing. My wages declared has to match up with my PAYG
statements. If they don't, the little tax office bell rings and
they will visit.

So to pay people cash, I'd have to include the money in my own
income and pay tax on it. Now there are some cash industries out
there, but most things today, like fruit, vegies, fish and all the
rest, buyers must declare to the Tax Office who they buy from.

Name and number don't have to match. A bloke can walk in for some
casual work and give me any name and number that he feels like.
By the time I've sent the form in, he's long gone.