Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2025-09-19-ella-group-cn-penalty-media-release
At a glance
- Respondent
- The Ella Group
- Penalty
- $34,650
- Employees affected
- 1
- Awards cited
- MA000037
What happened
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured penalties against The Ella Group (NSW) Pty Ltd, which operates Funtime Childcare in Greenacre, and its sole director, Louise Ramona Yaacoubian. This followed their failure to comply with a Compliance Notice regarding underpayments to a young early childhood educator employed casually between November 2019 and April 2022. The Compliance Notice required calculation and back-payment of entitlements. The worker was aged 19 to 22 during their employment. A Fair Work Inspector issued the Compliance Notice in February 2023 after suspecting underpayment of casual minimum wages under the Children's Services Award 2010.
What was decided
The Federal Circuit and Family Court imposed a $28,875 penalty against The Ella Group and $5,775 against Ms Yaacoubian. The Court ordered The Ella Group to comply with the original Compliance Notice, including calculating and rectifying underpayments, plus interest and superannuation. The judge criticised the operators for a 'serious and deliberate disregard' for their obligations. The worker has not yet received the amount owed. A separate legal action remains before the court.
What it means for employers
Employers must comply with Compliance Notices issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman. Failure to do so can result in significant court-imposed penalties. Employers should prioritise protecting young workers' entitlements and ensure compliance with relevant awards and legislation. The FWO offers free online courses to help employers understand Compliance Notices.
What it means for employees
Employees, particularly young workers, should be aware of their rights and entitlements. If concerned about pay or entitlements, they should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free assistance. Union membership or seeking advice from an employer can also provide support.
Every statement above is drawn from the published decision. Read the original here:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2025-media-releases/september-2025/20250919-ella-group-cn-penalty-media-releaseWant more cases like this?
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This summary was drafted by AI from the published decision and reviewed before publishing. It is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, speak to the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified lawyer. About these summaries & corrections →