Stephen Clibborn

Dr. Stephen Clibborn is an Associate Professor in the Discipline of Work and Organisational Studies at the University of Sydney Business School. He holds a PhD from the University of Sydney. Prior to his academic career, Clibborn worked as an industrial relations practitioner and policy advisor. He serves as Co-Director of the Sydney Employment Relations Research Group and is an editor of the Journal of Industrial Relations. His research examines employment relations, labour law, and migration, focusing on the real-world application of workplace laws and regulations, including wage theft, underpayment of temporary migrant workers, employer compliance with wage laws, and temporary labour migration schemes.

Clibborn has published extensively in leading journals. Notable works include 'The employer perspective on wage law non-compliance: State of the field and a framework for new understanding' (Industrial Relations Journal, 2023), 'Proposing mobility visas as an alternative to employer sponsorship: Addressing inequalities in the treatment of temporary migrant workers' (The Economic and Labour Relations Review, 2023), 'A guest-worker state? The declining power and agency of migrant workers in Australia' (Economy and Labour Relations Review, 2020, with Chris F. Wright), and 'Why international student workers in Australia tolerate underpayment' (Economic and Industrial Democracy, 2018). He co-authored the book Work and Industrial Relations Policy in Australia (Bristol University Press, 2025, with Bradon Ellem and Chris F. Wright). His publications have garnered over 900 citations on Google Scholar. Clibborn has led funded research projects, including $239,160 from the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman for 'Tackling wage theft' (2025) and $341,590 for generating insights into effective regulation of temporary labour migration (2019). His expertise influences public policy through submissions to government reviews and media contributions on labour issues.

Professional Email: stephen.clibborn@sydney.edu.au