Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2026-03-25-hoppers-trailer-pty-ltd-cn-penalty-media-release
At a glance
- Respondent
- Hoppers Trailer Pty Ltd
- Penalty
- $41,254
- Employees affected
- 1
What happened
Hoppers Trailer Pty Ltd, a Melbourne-based trailer manufacturer, and its sole director, Gurpinder Singh, have been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed a failure to comply with a Compliance Notice issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The notice concerned unpaid entitlements to a welder, an Indian national on a temporary graduate visa, who was employed from June to October 2022. The company failed to pay accrued annual leave entitlements. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving a request for assistance from the worker.
What was decided
The court imposed a $32,865 penalty on Hoppers Trailer Pty Ltd and a $6,573 penalty on Gurpinder Singh. The company was also ordered to back-pay the welder $1,816 plus interest. Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth stated that failing to act on Compliance Notices can result in court-imposed penalties. The case highlights the Fair Work Ombudsman’s focus on protecting migrant workers’ rights.
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 penalties and back-pay orders. Employers should be particularly aware of their obligations to migrant workers and ensure they are receiving correct pay and entitlements.
What it means for employees
Employees, especially those on temporary visas, should seek assistance from the Fair Work Ombudsman if they have concerns about their pay or entitlements. Free advice and assistance are available through the Fair Work Infoline and website.
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-2026/20260325-hoppers-trailer-pty-ltd-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 →