Chinese, Malaysian workers to be deported

Seventeen foreigners will be deported after they were found working illegally at construction site in Brisbane's bayside.

The 13 Chinese and four Malaysian workers were loaded into a van by Immigration officers and taken away from the Redcliffe work site on Wednesday.

Seven of the Chinese men were unlawful non-citizens and six were working in breach of their visa conditions.

Three Malaysians were unlawful non-citizens and one was working in breach of his visa conditions.

All were working illegally in construction and are expected to be taken to a detention centre on Friday before being deported.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said immigration compliance teams are targeting illegal workers and employers who are doing the wrong thing.

"The government will actively pursue substantial fines to deter further illegal work practices," he said in a statement.

Those who employ illegal workers face substantial fines and up to five years imprisonment.