Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2026-03-06-echuca-kebabs-pty-ltd-cn-penalty-media-release
At a glance
- Respondent
- Echuca Kebabs Pty Ltd
- Penalty
- $12,375
- Employees affected
- 1
- Awards cited
- MA000173
What happened
Echuca Kebabs Pty Ltd, a take-away food business in Echuca, Victoria, and its sole director, Zekeriye Bilir, have been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed a failure to comply with a Fair Work Ombudsman Compliance Notice. The notice related to JobKeeper payments and alleged underpayment of minimum wages and annual leave entitlements to a worker employed between 2017 and 2022. The company only made payments to the worker after the Fair Work Ombudsman initiated legal action.
What was decided
The Federal Circuit and Family Court imposed a $10,312.50 penalty on Echuca Kebabs Pty Ltd and $2,062.50 on Zekeriye Bilir. The penalties were for failing to comply with the Compliance Notice. Deputy Chief Judge Patrizia Mercuri stated penalties must deter future breaches and not be considered a 'cost of doing business'. The Fair Work Ombudsman secured a total of over $870,000 in court penalties for Compliance Notice failures in 2024-25.
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. The fast food, restaurants, and cafés sector is a priority for the FWO, so employers in these industries should ensure they are meeting their obligations regarding wages, entitlements, and JobKeeper payments.
What it means for employees
Employees who believe they have been underpaid or are not receiving correct entitlements should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free assistance. Information and resources are available on the Fair Work Ombudsman's website and via the Infoline.
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https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2026-media-releases/march-2026/20260306-echuca-kebabs-pty-ltd-cn-penalty-media-releaseSend your details to Liquid Employment Lawyers
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This summary was drafted 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