Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2026-03-05-ezytenant-litigation-media-release
At a glance
- Penalty
- $10,702
- Employees affected
- 1
What happened
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Geng Xu, Jayce Richardson, and Chen Sun, former directors and a former bookkeeper of Ezytenant Pty Ltd, a real estate advertising and management company based in Adelaide. The company has since been liquidated. The case involves a Chinese national employed as a marketing specialist at Ezytenant between January and July 2020, who was on a temporary graduate visa. It is alleged that the worker was required to repay his after-tax wages through a cashback scheme, totaling $10,702 between April and July 2020. The worker was allegedly told to withdraw his wages in cash and hand it over to Xu or Richardson, under threat of termination. The company also allegedly issued false payslips.
What was decided
The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges a serious contravention of workplace laws due to the unlawful cashback scheme and false payslips. The court will determine if the scheme was implemented knowingly and systematically. If found to be a serious contravention, Geng Xu and Jayce Richardson each face penalties of up to $133,200, while Chen Sun faces a penalty of up to $13,320 for the payslip contravention. The FWO is also seeking compensation orders against Xu and Richardson. A directions hearing is scheduled for March 12, 2026.
What it means for employers
Employers must ensure they comply with all Australian workplace laws and pay entitlements. Taking advantage of vulnerable workers, such as visa holders, is unacceptable and will be met with serious legal action. Employers should review their payroll practices and ensure they are accurate and lawful.
What it means for employees
Visa holders and all employees are entitled to receive their full lawful entitlements and should not be pressured to repay wages. Employees who believe their pay or entitlements are being withheld should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for assistance. Protections exist for those who raise concerns about workplace law breaches.
Every statement above is drawn from the published decision. Read the original here:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2026-media-releases/march-2026/20260305-ezytenant-litigation-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 →