Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2026-02-06-canberra-electrical-solutions-pty-ltd-penalty-media-release
At a glance
- Respondent
- Canberra Electrical Solutions Pty Ltd
- Penalty
- $80,000
- Employees affected
- 2
- Awards cited
- MA000173
What happened
Canberra Electrical Solutions Pty Ltd and its director, Tayfun Yildirim, have been penalized for failing to comply with Fair Work Ombudsman Compliance Notices. The company employed two workers—an electrical labourer and an 18-year-old junior apprentice—from February to October 2023. The workers were underpaid minimum wages, annual leave, and overtime. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from the affected workers.
What was decided
The Federal Circuit and Family Court imposed a $61,035 penalty against Canberra Electrical Solutions Pty Ltd and a $12,207 penalty against Tayfun Yildirim. The court also ordered the company to back-pay the workers a total of $7,156, plus interest and superannuation. Judge Vanessa-Jane Leishman found a risk of future breaches and emphasized the disproportionate number of apprentices seeking assistance due to unpaid entitlements. The total penalties and back-pay amount to $80,398.
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 and back-payment obligations. The Fair Work Ombudsman prioritizes protecting young workers, including apprentices, and will take action against non-compliance.
What it means for employees
Employees who believe they have been underpaid or are concerned about their entitlements should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free assistance. Resources and information are available on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website and through the Infoline.
Every statement above is drawn from the published decision. Read the original here:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2026-media-releases/february-2026/20260206-canberra-electrical-solutions-pty-ltd-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 →