Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2026-04-17-drew-and-schofer-cn-penalty-release
At a glance
- Respondent
- Drew and Schofer Real Estate Pty Ltd
- Penalty
- $18,290
- Employees affected
- 1
- Awards cited
- MA000217
What happened
Drew and Schofer Real Estate Pty Ltd, a Sydney real estate agency, and its director, the Respondent, have been penalized 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 related to unpaid entitlements for a junior real estate worker employed from July to September 2022, when he was 18 years old. The worker was underpaid wages and accrued annual leave entitlements under the Real Estate Industry Award 2020 and the Fair Work Act’s National Employment Standards.
What was decided
The court imposed a $12,375 penalty on Drew and Schofer Real Estate Pty Ltd and a $2,475 penalty on the Respondent. The agency must also back-pay the worker $3,440, plus interest and superannuation. The court found the non-compliance with the Compliance Notice was deliberate, noting the company and the Respondent agreed to a repayment plan but only made one $1,000 payment before ceasing. The company is currently not trading.
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, and employers should ensure they are meeting their obligations under relevant awards and legislation.
What it means for employees
Employees who believe they have been underpaid or are not receiving their correct entitlements should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free advice and assistance. Information and resources are available on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website and through the Infoline.
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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