Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2026-03-25-veens-group-cn-penalty-media-release
At a glance
- Respondent
- Veens Group
- Penalty
- $18,950
- Employees affected
- 1
What happened
The Fair Work Ombudsman took legal action against Veens Group Pty Ltd, a housing construction company in Harrington Park, Sydney, and its sole director, the Respondent. This followed a failure to comply with a Compliance Notice issued in June 2023. The notice related to unpaid wages for a 29-year-old Mandarin-speaking construction worker employed on a student visa. The worker was allegedly underpaid minimum casual wages under the Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2020 for eight days of work in October 2022. The company back-paid some of the amount before and after the Fair Work Ombudsman's legal action.
What was decided
The Federal Circuit and Family Court imposed a $15,800 penalty against Veens Group and a $3,150 penalty against the Respondent for failing to comply with the Compliance Notice. The court found the Respondent did not take the underpayment seriously. Judge Lisa Doust emphasised the importance of treating Compliance Notices with seriousness and the consequences of failing to do so. The court highlighted the need to deter future non-compliance. The Fair Work Ombudsman secured a total of over $870,000 in court penalties for Compliance Notice breaches in 2024-25.
What it means for employers
Employers must take Compliance Notices seriously and respond promptly. Failure to do so can result in significant court-imposed penalties. The Fair Work Ombudsman prioritises protecting migrant workers and improving compliance in the construction sector. Employers should ensure they are paying employees correctly and seek advice if unsure.
What it means for employees
Employees, particularly migrant workers, should seek free advice and assistance from the Fair Work Ombudsman if they have concerns about their pay or entitlements. An interpreter service is available.
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https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2026-media-releases/march-2026/20260325-veens-group-cn-penalty-media-releaseWant more cases like this?
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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 →