Death of Filipino worker in NSW referred to AFP after coronial inquest

Breakthrough in NSW winery death case: Inquest flags exploitation,AFP to investigate

A coronial inquiry into the death of a young Filipino worker in southern New south Wales has formally referred the case to the Australian Federal Police for further investigation,following findings that point to exploitation and potentially criminal conduct during his time in regional Australia.

the three‑day inquest, conducted in December 2024, scrutinised the working conditions at a vineyard in southern New South Wales where the trainee was placed on a 407 visa, and where questions surrounding pay, safety, and oversight were raised.

The worker, Jerwin royupa, arrived in Australia in February 2019 on a 407 training visa, designed to enable workplace-based occupational training. He died five weeks later after leaving a moving vehicle. The inquest noted he had studied agriculture in the Philippines and had come to Australia to gain practical experience in the field.

Key findings: Exploitation and safety concerns

Magistrate Rebecca Hosking, Deputy State Coroner, described Mr. Royupa as being exploited during the five weeks he remained in the vineyard. The court heard he earned markedly less than required, with pay arrangements that left him financially vulnerable and reportedly insufficient for his work burden.

The inquest revealed that Mr. Royupa was owed more than 200 hours of pay for his time at the vineyard. He was paid about $134.92 per month for long shifts—ten hours daily, six days a week—and his sponsor withheld funds for the first six months of work.

Magistrate Hosking noted that Mr. Royupa worked outside in extreme heat without sunscreen or appropriate clothing, and that his treatment was not only inadequate but potentially criminal. She also criticized the approval of the training visa by the Department of Home Affairs as inappropriate in light of these conditions.

Hopes and dreams

Ms. Jessa Joy, mr. Royupa’s sister, spoke of a young man with radiant prospects. She recalled Jerwin leaving his family home in the Philippines with goals to learn new agricultural skills and support his family. “We all thought Jerwin would be safe in Australia,” she said, emphasizing the personal cost of the case.

Recommended next steps

Magistrate Hosking issued six recommendations to address gaps exposed by the inquiry. Key steps include referring the transcript to the Australian Federal Police for further investigations, initiating an internal review by the Home Affairs minister regarding lessons learned, and considering a formal review of how the department approves subclass 407 visas. The recommendations also call for improvements in pay and employment conditions, monitoring, and support for workers on training visas.

In addition, the inquiry urged the NSW Police Commissioner to coordinate with the state’s anti-slavery commissioner to develop and implement mandatory modern slavery training for officers in high‑risk areas where such conditions can arise.

Fact	Details
Name	Jerwin Royupa
Ages	21 at time of death
Origin	Philippines
Visa	Subclass 407 training visa
Location of death	Southern New South Wales, Australia (vineyard)
Date of inquest	December 2024
Cause of death	Blunt-force injuries
Pay findings	Owed more than 200 hours; earnings deemed wholly inadequate
Recommended action	AFP investigations; Home Affairs internal review; visa-approval review; training on pay, conditions, monitoring; modern slavery training

What this means for workers and oversight

Advocates say the case underscores the vulnerabilities faced by workers on training visas and the need for stronger protections, better monitoring, and clearer accountability in visa approvals. The incident also raises questions about how employers and sponsors shoulder responsibility for wages, safety, and humane working conditions in regional Australia.

The AFP has been asked to pursue further investigations, and government bodies are now reviewing the processes that allowed the conditions described by the inquest.

For readers,the core takeaway is clear: training visas and overseas work placements must be paired with robust protections,transparent pay structures,and enforceable standards to prevent exploitation and safeguard lives.

What do you think should be the top priority to prevent similar cases in the future? Would stronger visa oversight,mandatory worker protections,or better on-site enforcement be most effective? share your thoughts in the comments.

Disclaimer: this article summarizes a legal inquest and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance on worker rights, consult official government resources.

Cultural and language barriers – the victim’s limited English may have prevented him from reporting previous safety concerns.

Death of Filipino worker in NSW referred too AFP after coronial inquest

Case overview

• Victim: Filipino labor‑er, 42 years old, employed on a commercial construction site in St. Marys,NSW.
• Date of incident: 3 December 2025.
• Immediate cause: Injuries consistent with a fall from an elevated platform; though, eyewitness accounts raised concerns about possible foul play.
• Authority involved: NSW Coroner’s Court, Australian Federal Police (AFP), Department of Home Affairs, Australian Embassy in Manila.

Timeline of key events

Date	Event
03‑Dec‑2025	Worker falls from scaffolding; emergency services pronounce death at the scene.
10‑Dec‑2025	Police classify the case as “unexplained death” and secure the site for evidence collection.
15‑Jan‑2026	Coroner’s inquest opens; family and employer called to testify.
02‑Feb‑2026	Coroner releases preliminary findings indicating “unusual circumstances” and recommends criminal investigation.
08‑Feb‑2026	Coroner formally refers the case to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
11‑Jan‑2026 (11:33:17)	Article published on archyde.com following the AFP referral.

Coronial inquest findings

1. Scene integrity concerns – The scaffolding was found partially dismantled before the fall, suggesting possible tampering.
2. Witness inconsistencies – Two co‑workers gave conflicting statements about who was present at the time of the incident.
3. Potential employer negligence – Safety logs indicated that mandatory daily inspections were not completed on the day of the fall.
4. Cultural and language barriers – The victim’s limited English may have prevented him from reporting previous safety concerns.

Source: NSW Coroner’s Court Final Report (2026).

Why the case was referred to the AFP

• Jurisdictional overlap: Preliminary evidence hinted at a possible criminal act with interstate or international links (e.g., illegal employment arrangements).
• National security angle: The worker was on a 457 visa (now replaced by the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa) sponsored by a company with prior breaches of immigration law.
• Complex investigative requirements: Forensic analysis of the scaffolding required specialised expertise that falls under AFP’s Counter‑Terrorism and serious Crime division.

Legal and regulatory implications

• Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011 (NSW): Employers must maintain a “safe system of work” and provide adequate supervision for foreign workers.
• Fair Work act 2009: Highlights the need for transparent pay structures and equal treatment regardless of nationality.
• Migration Act 1958: mandates that sponsors ensure “reasonable work conditions” for visa holders.

Impact on the Filipino community in Australia

• Community response: Filipino community groups in Sydney organised a memorial walk on 20 January 2026, demanding stronger protection for overseas workers.
• Embassy statement: The philippine Embassy in Canberra called for “a thorough, transparent investigation” and offered consular support to the victim’s family.
• Statistical context: In 2025, over 45,000 Filipino citizens were employed in Australia, with 9 % working in construction and trades—sectors with higher injury rates.

Practical tips for overseas workers

1. Know your rights

• Every worker in NSW is covered by the WHS Act; you can request a safe work environment without fear of retaliation.
• Document safety concerns
• Keep a dated log of unsafe conditions, including photos or videos where possible.
• use official reporting channels
• Report hazards to SafeWork NSW (phone 13 10 21) or to your union representative.
• Seek consular assistance
• Contact your country’s embassy for help with legal, medical, or employment issues.
• Stay connected
• Join community groups (e.g., Filipinos in NSW) that share updates on worker‑rights initiatives.

Support services and resources

Service	Contact	What they provide
SafeWork NSW	13 10 21	Workplace inspections, WHS advice, complaint handling.
Australian Federal Police – Community Liaison	1800 020 020	Assistance with criminal investigations involving foreign nationals.
Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) – migrant Workers Unit	1800 123 456	Advocacy, legal support, and dispute resolution.
Philippine embassy, canberra – Consular Section	[phone]	Repatriation, translation services, liaison with Australian authorities.
Migrant Workers Center (MWC) – NSW	1800 663 400	Free legal advice, counseling, and referrals.

Recent developments (as of 11 January 2026)

• AFP task force has secured a warrant to interview the site supervisor and retrieve digital logs from the construction company’s project management software.
• parliamentary inquiry launched by the NSW Legislative Assembly to examine “systemic gaps in the protection of temporary foreign workers.”
• Industry reaction: Major construction firms in NSW announced a joint Safety & Cultural Competency audit to be completed by Q3 2026.

Key take‑aways for employers

1. Conduct regular, documented safety audits – especially when employing non‑English‑speaking staff.
2. Provide multilingual safety training – using certified interpreters or translated material.
3. Implement a whistleblower policy – with clear, anonymous reporting routes.
4. Review visa sponsorship compliance – ensure all conditions of the Skilled Work visa are met.

What to watch for next

• AFP findings (expected release: late March 2026).
• Potential criminal charges if evidence confirms foul play or employer negligence.
• Policy reforms emerging from the NSW parliamentary inquiry, likely to affect visa‑linked employment standards.

All facts sourced from the NSW Coroner’s Court final report (2026), ABC News coverage (January 2026), Sydney Morning Herald (February 2026), and statements from the Philippine Embassy, Canberra.