Fair Work Ombudsman decisions
The Fair Work Ombudsman is Australia's national workplace regulator. It investigates underpayments, prosecutes civil penalty cases in court, and accepts enforceable undertakings from employers in lieu of litigation.
What the FWO does
The FWO investigates underpayments and other Fair Work Act contraventions, accepts enforceable undertakings (employer commitments to repay, fix systems, and accept ongoing audit), and brings civil penalty cases through the FCFCOA and Federal Court.
Why these decisions matter
FWO enforceable undertakings are public records and a major signal of compliance risk. The list of employers under EUs is short — appearing on it is reputational damage in itself, on top of the back-pay obligations.
All FWO decisions in our corpus
← Back to the full corpusFair Work Ombudsman
Salem Hamze, the former sole director and part-owner of Lortoc No. 60 Pty Ltd, has been penalised $22,017 by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. The company previously operated a café called ‘Hakuna Ma’Coffee’ and a food and beverage kiosk called ‘Ric & Co’ in Redcliffe, Queensland. Three workers, two part-time food and beverage attendants and one full-time fast-food employee, were allegedly underpaid. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving a request for assistance from the workers, who were employed between September 2022 and March 2023. The company failed to comply with a Compliance Notice and breached pay-slip laws.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Drew and Schofer Real Estate Pty Ltd, a Sydney real estate agency, and its director, Graeme Ralph Drew, 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.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has entered into an Enforceable Undertaking with The Luck Bird Pty Ltd, trading as Carlucci’s Restaurant in Templestowe, Melbourne. The restaurant underpaid 38 employees, including visa holders and junior workers, a total of $194,011 between June 2023 and July 2025. The underpayments included minimum hourly rates, penalty rates, overtime rates, annual leave loading, and casual loading. Employees received back payments ranging from $189 to $20,042. The restaurant has rectified the underpayments and implemented systems to prevent future breaches.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Jason Gill, a member of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), threatened a colleague in 2021 at Fremantle Harbour. The colleague was crossing a picket line during a dispute between the MUA and Qube Ports Pty Ltd. Gill said the colleague would “end up dead” if he continued working. The affected worker has since experienced panic attacks. The Federal Court found Gill’s threat constituted coercion and adverse action, breaching the Fair Work Act. The union was not held liable for Gill’s actions.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) signed an Enforceable Undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman and will rectify more than $11.7 million in underpayments, including interest and superannuation, to 5,500 staff. The not-for-profit aged care, home care and retirement living provider operates 27 retirement communities and 27 residential care homes in NSW and the ACT. Affected workers included home care employees, assistants in nursing, registered and enrolled nurses, facility managers, diversional therapists, cooks and handypersons across casual, full-time and part-time roles. The cause was issues with the time and attendance system combined with a manual payroll process inconsistent with enterprise agreement requirements, plus incorrect application of overtime, allowances and shift penalty clauses.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Stuart Angel, the former operator of Angel Smash Worx in Gosford, NSW, has been penalised $17,502 by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed a Fair Work Ombudsman investigation into breaches of pay slip laws and failure to comply with a Compliance Notice. Mr. Angel employed a worker from August 2018 to April 2022, including a period as an adult apprentice. The worker raised concerns about underpayment of minimum wages, annual leave entitlements, and training costs.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman took legal action against The Ella Group (NSW) Pty Ltd, which operates Funtime Childcare in Greenacre, and its sole director, Louise Ramona Yaacoubian. They failed to comply with a Compliance Notice regarding underpayments to a young early childhood educator employed between April 2021 and May 2023. The worker was aged 20 to 22 during this period. A Fair Work Inspector issued the Compliance Notice in December 2023 after suspecting underpayment of minimum wages, overtime, and annual leave entitlements under the Children’s Services Award 2010 and the Fair Work Act’s National Employment Standards. This is the second time the company and director have been penalised for similar issues.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Warwick Institute of Australia Pty Ltd, its director Charles Shiao, and former finance manager Xiaowen ‘Eva’ Xu. They are accused of allegedly requiring a Brazilian national, employed as a marketing officer in Brisbane between July 2019 and February 2022, to repay over $23,365 through a cashback scheme. The worker was initially employed casually, then full-time on a subclass 482 visa with a salary of $65,000. The allegations include requiring the worker to pay cash to Mr Shiao for visa sponsorship expenses and making further cash payments to the institute. The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges these payments benefited the institute and its director.
Fair Work Ombudsman
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.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman took legal action against Veens Group Pty Ltd, a housing construction company in Harrington Park, Sydney, and its sole director, Dasi Shi. 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.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Labour Hire Authority (LHA) and Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) held a forum in Healesville on March 17, 2026, with local growers, industry groups, and labour hire companies. This followed a compliance operation by the LHA and a 2025 report highlighting high non-compliance rates in the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula horticulture sector. Legal action has been initiated against a Yarra Valley orchard and an allegedly unlicensed labour hire company. The FWO has previously secured penalties against horticulture growers for underpayments, exceeding $166,000 against a celery producer and nearly $160,000 against a tomato and cucumber grower. The forum aimed to improve compliance and provide guidance to growers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) are increasing their focus on sham contracting. This occurs when employers misclassify employees as independent contractors to avoid paying entitlements like superannuation, leave, and workers’ compensation. The ATO has observed concerning patterns in industries like building and construction and road freight. The FWO has investigations underway in sectors like building and construction and road transport. One company in Sydney faced penalties for terminating employees and re-engaging them as contractors.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Australian Native Landscapes Pty Ltd, a landscaping and gardening materials company based in New South Wales. The company allegedly underpaid four workers a total of $35,716 between 2020 and 2023. The workers held positions including labourer, driver, excavator and were located at Orange, Tea Gardens, Terrey Hills, and Cooranbong. Alleged underpayments included minimum hourly rates, casual loading, annual and personal leave, and overtime. One worker has been fully back-paid, while the others have received partial back-payments.
Fair Work Ombudsman
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.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Shinya Geelong HR Pty Ltd and Shinya Torquay HR Pty Ltd, former operators of ramen restaurants in Geelong and Torquay, Victoria, have been penalized for failing to comply with Compliance Notices. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from four workers, including three visa holders and one Australian citizen. The workers were employed as cooks and waitstaff between November 2020 and July 2023. The Compliance Notices related to underpayment of minimum wages, weekend rates, public holiday rates, and annual leave entitlements.
Fair Work Ombudsman
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.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Uniting Communities Incorporated, a South Australian community services provider, will return over $2.6 million in underpayments to approximately 1,500 current and former employees. The underpayments occurred between November 2015 and December 2025. They resulted from misapplication of Enterprise Agreements, failure to apply wage increases, and payroll system deficiencies. The organisation self-reported the non-compliance to the Fair Work Ombudsman in May 2023. The affected employees held roles such as support workers, counsellors, and project officers, working across full-time, part-time, and casual positions.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Katsuyoshi ‘Ken’ Sadamatsu, a former part-owner and manager of the ‘Miso World Square’ Japanese restaurant in Sydney. It is alleged that between June 2020 and September 2022, Mr Sadamatsu was involved in knowingly underpaying 82 workers, primarily cooks, kitchen attendants, and wait staff, a total of over $162,000. The alleged underpayments included flat hourly rates of $19 to $27, failing to pay overtime, penalty rates, accrued annual leave, split-shift allowances, and breaches of record-keeping laws. Many of the affected workers were visa holders from Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan, with 36 being young workers aged 19 to 24. The restaurant closed in 2024 and the employer, Miso Pty Ltd, was deregistered.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated Villa Romana restaurant in Cairns, owned by Mesa 3 Pty Ltd and Helen Papagelou (as trustees of the Ex-RPH Trust). An investigation, following a 2023 inspection, found the restaurant underpaid 76 employees, including those on working holiday and student visas, by a total of $86,873 between May and October 2023. Underpayments related to weekend penalty rates, overtime, split shift allowances, and base rates. The restaurant engaged kitchen and front-of-house staff.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Agape Reablement and Support Services NSW Pty Ltd, a Queensland-based disability support services company, and its sole director, Rowell Ian Mammah Llorente. The action follows a Compliance Notice issued in October 2024 regarding alleged underpayment of two disability support workers between November 2023 and May 2024. One worker was casual, and the other was full-time. The alleged underpayments relate to annual leave entitlements for the full-time worker and minimum hourly rates and travel allowances for the casual worker, as per the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.
Fair Work Ombudsman
CareToDance Pty Ltd, a Sydney dance studio, and its director, Cristian Basescu, are facing legal action from the Fair Work Ombudsman. This follows a Fair Work Commission order in December 2024 requiring CareToDance to pay $24,469 in compensation to a former dance instructor, a Filipino national on a skilled working visa, who was unfairly dismissed in July 2024 after being employed since January 2023. The company failed to comply with the compensation order, prompting the legal action.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Threshold Boats Pty Ltd, a Perth boat repair and servicing business, and its sole director and owner, Thomas Ebeling. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in September 2024 after suspecting the company underpaid minimum wages and annual leave entitlements to two former employees, a manager and a mechanic. The employees were employed full-time between March 2022 and March 2024. The company allegedly failed to comply with the Compliance Notice, which required back-payment of entitlements totaling $7,749, and Mr. Ebeling was allegedly involved.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has commenced legal action against the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) and two officials, Cody Budgeon and Dylan Howard. The case relates to an incident on November 15, 2024, at a Woolloongabba construction site for the Cross River Rail project. Budgeon and Howard allegedly entered and remained in an exclusion zone without authorisation, delaying work. An exclusion zone was in place due to crane operations. The FWO alleges breaches of the Fair Work Act concerning occupational health and safety and improper behaviour during right-of-entry.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman took legal action against SNNB Enterprises Pty Ltd, Taylors Business Pty Ltd, and Yarraville Business Pty Ltd, which previously operated Cash Converters stores in Epping, Delahey, and Yarraville. The companies and their sole director, Graeme Grainger, failed to comply with Compliance Notices requiring them to calculate and back-pay entitlements to seven full-time workers. The workers were store managers, retail employees, and shop assistants. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from the affected workers. The stores have now closed.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Canberra Electrical Solutions Pty Ltd and its director, Tayfun Yildirim, have been penalized for failing to comply with Fair Work Ombudsman Compliance Notices. The company employed two workers—an electrical labourer and an 18-year-old junior apprentice—from February to October 2023. The workers were underpaid minimum wages, annual leave, and overtime. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from the affected workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Well Health Medical Services Pty Ltd, formerly operating Well Health Medical Hub in Merrylands, Sydney, and its sole director, Irfan Khan, have been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed a Fair Work Inspector issuing a Compliance Notice in December 2023 regarding underpayments to a full-time registered nurse employed between October 2020 and September 2023. The nurse sought assistance from the Fair Work Ombudsman. The Compliance Notice related to alleged breaches of the Nurses Award 2020 and the Fair Work Act’s National Employment Standards, including underpayment of minimum wages, annual leave loading, accrued but untaken annual leave, and the worker’s last 46 hours of work.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Workplace Medical Consultants Pty Ltd, a patient transport company in Sydney, and its director, David Zammitt, have been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed their failure to comply with a Fair Work Ombudsman Compliance Notice. The company employed a patient transport officer from August 2021 to April 2022. The worker was underpaid overtime rates, wages for their final two weeks, and accrued annual leave entitlements. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after a worker requested assistance.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Korserv Pty Ltd, a Queensland-based labour hire provider, and its manager, Janghwan Choi. This action follows an audit of pay rates at a strawberry farm in the Glass House Mountains in 2023. Korserv allegedly provided false records, including falsified payslips and piecework agreements with forged signatures, to Fair Work Inspectors in December 2023 and January 2024. It is alleged that Korserv subcontracted other companies to pay wages, and Mr Choi admitted to sending funds to these subcontractors. At least three of the 14 workers involved were migrant workers on visas.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Blake Bray, the former owner and director of Terra Nova Interiors Pty Ltd, a joinery and cabinet-making company based in Western Sydney. The company went into liquidation. Two full-time employees, one of whom was 16 years old, sought assistance from the Fair Work Ombudsman. Inspectors issued Compliance Notices in June and August 2023, alleging underpayment of minimum wages, annual leave entitlements, and overtime rates. The alleged unpaid entitlements were based on the Clerks – Private Sector Award 2020, Joinery and Building Trades Award 2020, and the Fair Work Act’s National Employment Standards. The company was required to back-pay $9,576.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Rapid Plumbing Group Pty Ltd, a Western Sydney plumbing company, and its sole director, Scott Mahboub. A young worker was employed as a plumber by Rapid Plumbing Group from July to October 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in February 2023, alleging the company failed to pay the worker industry allowances and accrued annual leave entitlements. The company allegedly failed to comply with the Compliance Notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured a penalty against the University of New South Wales (UNSW) for record-keeping failures. Between 2017 and 2022, UNSW failed to keep records for 63 casual academic employees, including hours worked, pay rates, and casual loading entitlements. They also failed to include casual loading information on pay slips. The Fair Work Ombudsman first raised concerns in 2018, and a formal underpayment investigation began in 2020 after UNSW self-reported widespread underpayments. The legal action focused on staff in the UNSW Business School at Kensington, Sydney.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) and four of its officials—James Simpson, Paul Tzimas, James Harris, and Jaxson Mahy—have been penalised for unlawful conduct at construction sites in Melbourne. The incidents occurred at sites in Alphington and Croydon, where Ironside Construction Pty Ltd was the head contractor. The officials exercised their right-of-entry rights. Mr. Simpson turned off a generator without authorisation. Other breaches included failing to leave the construction zone, stopping work on an excavator, and accessing a computer screen without permission. The legal action was initially brought by the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) before transferring to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Clark Projects Pty Ltd, a Western Sydney construction company, has been penalised $25,000 by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed their failure to comply with a Fair Work Ombudsman Compliance Notice. The notice related to underpayment of a casual labourer engaged for approximately seven weeks in August-September 2022. The company initially failed to backpay the worker until legal action was commenced. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after a worker requested assistance.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Phillip Horne, the former sole director of Horne Distributors Pty Ltd, has been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. Horne Distributors, based in Hobart, was wound up due to insolvency. The company employed four visa holders from India as truck drivers and for other duties between April 2019 and July 2022. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from the workers. A Compliance Notice was issued in October 2022 regarding underpayment of casual minimum wages and annual leave entitlements.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Ansa Finance Pty Ltd, based in Toorak, and its manager, Joshua Fuoco. Also named in the action is AFSL Group Pty Ltd, another company managed by Mr Fuoco. The legal action follows previous instances of similar breaches. It is alleged that Ansa Finance and AFSL Group underpaid a combined total of over $30,000 to visa holders and a 20-year-old worker. Two workers were allegedly terminated after requesting payment of their entitlements. Three workers sought assistance from the Fair Work Ombudsman, employed in insurance, broking, and customer relationship management roles between 2021 and 2022.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Fajloun Motor Group Pty Ltd, which previously operated an Ultra Tune franchise in Yagoona, New South Wales, has been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. The company employed a worker in an automotive administration role on a casual basis from April 2022 to January 2023. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after the worker requested assistance. The company breached laws regarding pay slips and employment records and failed to comply with a Compliance Notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Bulmer Farms Pty Ltd, a vegetable farm in Lindenow, Victoria. The farm allegedly underpaid 28 migrant workers from Kiribati, Timor Leste, and the Solomon Islands a total of $645,567 between December 2019 and December 2023. The alleged underpayments stemmed from paying workers set weekly amounts based on annualised salaries, which did not cover their entitlements under the Horticulture Award. Workers held roles including farm workers, forklift and tractor operators, and were engaged under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. Bulmer Farms conducted an internal review and made payments of $42,189 to the workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The University of Tasmania signed an Enforceable Undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman after identifying more than $21.4 million in underpayments to over 10,000 staff across an 11-year period. Most of the affected staff were casual professional and academic staff. The most common breach was failing to pay casuals for a minimum engagement period of at least three hours per shift, as required under UTAS enterprise agreements. Underpaid employees worked across UTAS campuses in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie, Sydney and smaller satellites.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured penalties and back-pay orders against Vanna Taing, Brandon Bui, and Gary Lai, former operators and a human resources employee of a Gami Chicken & Beer franchise outlet ('Gami-Southland') in Cheltenham, Melbourne. The case involved breaches affecting 16 kitchen and wait staff, including two young workers (aged 17) and visa holders from Vietnam and Korea. The operators provided false pay slips to a Fair Work Inspector and failed to comply with a Compliance Notice requiring back-payment of wages. The Fair Work Ombudsman began investigating in 2019 and again in 2021 after receiving worker requests for assistance.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Ben John Gilling, the sole trader of Benaya Building Group in Melbourne, has been penalised for failing to comply with a Compliance Notice. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after a request from a young apprentice carpenter who was employed between January 2021 and February 2022. The apprentice, aged 16 to 17, was engaged in a school-based apprenticeship. A Fair Work Inspector issued the Compliance Notice in July 2023, believing Mr Gilling had underpaid minimum wages, overtime, and annual leave entitlements. The worker is owed entitlements under the Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2010 and the Fair Work Act’s National Employment Standards.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman took legal action against The Carers Portland Inc, formerly operating ‘HCM Café Fresh Q Lunch’ in Dandenong South, and its secretary, Thi Hai Duong Luong (Amy Luong). They were found to have failed to comply with a Compliance Notice issued in December 2021. The Compliance Notice related to underpayment of a kitchen hand employed between January and May 2021. The worker was allegedly underpaid minimum wages, annual leave on termination, and pay-in-lieu-of-notice under the Fast Food Industry Award 2010 and the Fair Work Act’s National Employment Standards. The cafe is now closed.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Marsdon Pether, a sole trader operating FTP Construction, and his father Nat Rattana, have been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed a Fair Work Ombudsman investigation into underpayment and pay slip breaches. Two apprentice carpenters were underpaid minimum wages, overtime, and training costs between May 2018 and December 2019. One worker was initially employed as a full-time labourer for two weeks. A Compliance Notice was issued in May 2022, which Mr. Pether failed to follow.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Monash University signed an Enforceable Undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman after identifying more than $20.7 million in underpayments, including interest and superannuation, to 10,877 staff over an 11-year period. Underpayments affected staff across all 10 Monash faculties. Most affected employees were casual academic sessional staff, with a smaller group of casual research assistants. Monash failed to pay correct rates for original and repeat tutorials, did not meet minimum engagement obligations, and underpaid rates for original lectures and tutorials under multiple enterprise agreements.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Daniel Paul O’Loughlin, the former operator of Torco Constructions in Melbourne, has been penalised $6,000 by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed his failure to comply with a Compliance Notice issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The notice required him to calculate and back-pay entitlements to a young construction worker aged 21, employed from June to October 2023. The worker was believed to be underpaid minimum wages for ordinary hours and overtime, and was not paid accrued annual leave.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Salem Hamze, the former director and part-owner of Lortoc No. 60 Pty Ltd. The company previously operated 'Hakuna Ma’Coffee' and 'Ric & Co' cafes and kiosks in Redcliffe, Queensland. Three workers employed between September 2022 and March 2023 requested assistance from the Fair Work Ombudsman. A Compliance Notice was issued in December 2023 after an inspector believed the company underpaid minimum wages, penalty rates, and annual leave entitlements under the Fast Food Industry Award 2020, Restaurant Industry Award 2020, and National Employment Standards. The company owed approximately $19,019 in unpaid entitlements. Hakuna Ma’Coffee and Ric & Co are now closed and Lortoc No. 60 Pty Ltd has been deregistered.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has paid over $1.9 million to 433 staff members who were underpaid. The underpayments occurred at campuses in Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, across five faculties. Affected employees included administration officers, research assistants, and IT event staff, with most being full-time or part-time workers. The university identified the underpayments in 2019 and self-reported to the Fair Work Ombudsman in 2021. The underpayments related to overtime, meal allowances, casual loading, and minimum engagement payments, breaching enterprise agreements.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Phillip Island Souvenirs Pty Ltd, operating 'U-Neek Souvenirs & Motorsport' in Cowes, Victoria, underpaid three retail assistants a total of $40,000 between October 2018 and December 2020. The company's sole director and owner, Bruce Wisbey, was also involved. The workers, including a Slovenian visa holder, were paid unlawfully low hourly rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from the workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Ilhan Harman, the former sole director of Harmans Food Group Pty Ltd, which operated kebab shops ('Hero Kebab and Café') in central Queensland, has been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. The penalty relates to his involvement in the company's failure to comply with a Compliance Notice issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The Compliance Notice concerned unpaid entitlements for a young worker employed as a fast food worker across two Rockhampton outlets between March and September 2022. The worker was aged 22 to 23 during this period. The company is now in liquidation.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against GCH Vic Park Pty Ltd, which previously operated 'The Globe Pan and Grill' in East Victoria Park, Perth, and its director, Jay Patel. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in August 2023 after suspecting the company underpaid 16 employees, who worked as cooks and food and beverage attendants, between December 2021 and July 2023. The alleged underpayments involved minimum wage rates, penalty rates for weekend work, and accrued annual leave entitlements. The company failed to comply with the Compliance Notice, and Mr Patel is alleged to have been involved.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Westpac Banking Corporation signed an Enforceable Undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman after back-paying nearly 47,000 staff more than $50 million. The underpayments stretched over 11 years and affected employees at Westpac, St.George and Bank of Melbourne. The FWO said the cause was failures in systems, governance and compliance oversight, inadequate record-keeping, reliance on manual adjustments and input errors. Breaches of multiple Westpac Group enterprise agreements included underpaid casual loading, minimum wages for ordinary hours, higher duties allowances, weekend penalties, termination payments and leave payments.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Bryan Builders Pty Ltd, a carpentry business based in Bayswater, Melbourne. The action follows requests for assistance from two young workers, aged 20 and 21, who were employed as apprentices between February 2019 and February 2023. It is alleged the company failed to pay accrued annual leave entitlements and apprenticeship tuition fees, in breach of the Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2010 and 2020. A Compliance Notice was issued in September 2023, which Bryan Builders allegedly failed to comply with.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Pandanaut Projects Pty Ltd, trading as ‘Frame Up’ and ‘Nuview Builders’, and its sole director, David Carter. The action follows a request for assistance from a construction worker employed full-time in October-November 2022. The company allegedly failed to pay wages for 46 hours of work, accrued annual leave entitlements, and one week’s pay in lieu of notice. A Compliance Notice was issued in July 2023, which the company allegedly failed to comply with.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated Bradley Armstrong, the operator of 'Cruise Control Australia Parking Sydney', after a worker requested assistance. The worker was employed on a casual basis as a car parking officer in 2023. The Fair Work Ombudsman issued a Compliance Notice in May 2024, believing Mr Armstrong had underpaid penalty rates for weekend and overtime work between August and October 2023. Mr Armstrong partially back-paid the worker's entitlements before court action. The worker's entitlements were owed under the Car Parking Award 2020.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman took legal action against Phyrum Um, the operator of Intense Panel & Paint (trading as Slick FX Bodystyling) in Yennora, New South Wales. An investigation began after a request from the mother of a young worker with a disability who was employed as a part-time apprentice panel beater between May 2021 and May 2022. The business allegedly failed to pay minimum wages, overtime, penalty rates, and accrued annual leave entitlements. A Compliance Notice was issued in June 2024, which Mr. Um did not follow.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Gold Tiger Logistics Qld Pty Ltd, a Brisbane-based transport and logistics company. The company allegedly failed to pay $32,000 in compensation to a former employee who was unfairly dismissed in September 2023. The Fair Work Commission initially found the dismissal unfair and ordered the payment in April 2024. The company appealed but was unsuccessful. Despite attempts to secure voluntary compliance, the compensation remains unpaid.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Adam Lachlan Wilkinson, the former trustee for the Wilko Family Trust, who operated a Toorak café called ‘Grange Road Egg Shop’. The investigation concerned the entitlements of 10 workers employed between November 2020 and February 2022, including five young workers. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in September 2023 regarding unpaid minimum wage rates, overtime, penalty rates, personal leave, and accrued annual leave. The café is now closed.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Satarupa Patel, a former commission agent for a United Petroleum outlet in Hallam, Melbourne. Patel is accused of underpaying an employee, an Indian national on a temporary visa, rates as low as $15 per hour between October 2020 and March 2021. The alleged underpayments included minimum hourly rates, overtime, weekend, and public holiday pay. The worker was allegedly entitled to rates of at least $28.38 per hour for ordinary hours and $15.81 for overtime.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured penalties against New Switch Electrical Pty Ltd, based in Tullamarine, and its sole director, Mark Ladores Tan. This followed the company's failure to comply with a Compliance Notice regarding underpayments to a young worker. The worker, initially a fourth-year apprentice and later a full-time electrician, was employed from August 2021 to September 2022. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after a request for assistance from the worker.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Michael Lawler Transport Pty Ltd, a Brisbane-based transport company, and its director, Michael Lawler, failed to comply with a Fair Work Commission order. The order required them to pay $27,280 in compensation to a driver they unfairly dismissed. The company employed the driver between July 2022 and December 2023. Attempts to secure voluntary compliance were unsuccessful, leading the Fair Work Ombudsman to file legal proceedings.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has issued warnings to employers advertising jobs with illegal pay rates. Since laws were introduced to prevent this, employers have paid over $185,000 in fines. In 2023-24, 156 infringement notices were issued, costing employers almost $74,000. In 2024-25, this increased to 318 infringement notices, totaling $111,306. Examples include a fast food outlet advertising kitchen hands at $17 per hour, a disability support employer advertising at $22 per hour, and a restaurant advertising a kitchen hand role at $12-$24 per hour. The FWO has met with job platforms to improve compliance.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman took legal action against LROC Builders Pty Ltd and its director, Lachlan Robert Oliver, for failing to comply with Compliance Notices. Four carpenters were impacted, employed between December 2018 and April 2022. The businesses, based in Carrum Downs, Melbourne, allegedly underpaid minimum wages, overtime, allowances, leave, and public holiday pay. Three carpenters were employed by LROC Builders and one by Mr Oliver as a sole trader. The carpenters included a 22-year-old and an apprentice aged 24.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Bradley Armstrong, who owns and operates 'Cruise Control Australia Parking Sydney', a valet parking service in Sydney. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice to Mr Armstrong in May 2024 after believing he underpaid a 54-year-old casual car parking officer between August and October 2023. The alleged underpayment related to unpaid penalty rates for weekend and overtime work under the Car Parking Award 2020.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The University of Wollongong signed an Enforceable Undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman and will complete more than $6.6 million in payments, including interest and superannuation, to 5,340 underpaid staff. Most affected employees were casual professional services staff in non-teaching roles, including administration officers, IT officers, librarians and researchers. Some full-time and part-time employees, academic and support staff, were also underpaid. The primary cause was the university's failure to pay casual professional staff the minimum three-hour engagement per shift required under its enterprise agreements, and underpayment of penalty rates.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) and two officials, Joel Shackleton and Gerald McCrudden. The case relates to alleged unlawful conduct directed towards Indigenous labour hire company Marda Dandhi Downunder Pty Ltd and its directors between July 2021 and March 2022. The allegations involve coercion, making false or misleading representations about workplace rights, and improper conduct by entry permit holders. The alleged actions aimed to prevent Marda Dandhi from working on construction sites and bargaining for a replacement enterprise agreement. This included verbal threats, intimidation, and abusive comments during meetings and phone calls.
Fair Work Ombudsman
McCrystal Agricultural Services Pty Ltd, a Queensland labour hire business and sweet potato farm, and its sole director Russell McCrystal, have been penalised for unlawfully deducting pay from migrant employees. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated the company, which operates under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. Between 2021 and 2022, the company fined workers under an alcohol policy, deducted health insurance premium payments exceeding the actual cost, and recovered overtime overpayments without employee approval. A total of 66 employees were affected, primarily from Vanuatu.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured penalties against The Ella Group (NSW) Pty Ltd, which operates Funtime Childcare in Greenacre, and its sole director, Louise Ramona Yaacoubian. This followed their failure to comply with a Compliance Notice regarding underpayments to a young early childhood educator employed casually between November 2019 and April 2022. The Compliance Notice required calculation and back-payment of entitlements. The worker was aged 19 to 22 during their employment. A Fair Work Inspector issued the Compliance Notice in February 2023 after suspecting underpayment of casual minimum wages under the Children's Services Award 2010.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Kailiang Chen and Alex Du, operators of Dumpling Land in Wallsend, Newcastle, have been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in August 2023 after finding potential underpayment of 28 workers, including young international students, between June 2021 and April 2023. The workers held full-time, part-time, and casual roles. While some back-payments were made, 10 workers still have outstanding amounts. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after surprise inspections of Newcastle eateries in April 2023.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Sai Enterprises Pty Ltd, formerly operating a United Petroleum outlet in Queenstown, Adelaide, and its former manager, Raman Monga, have been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated the company after concerns were raised. The investigation revealed that Sai Enterprises failed to pay three international student workers a total of $2,668 in accrued annual leave entitlements. They also breached laws by failing to issue pay slips and lacking written agreements for part-time staff. The workers were back-paid after the investigation began.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and Australian Border Force (ABF) conducted surprise inspections of approximately 40 businesses in Sydney, including Blacktown, Cabramatta, Chatswood, the Hills District, Hurstville, and Parramatta. The inspections targeted businesses in the fast food, restaurants, cafés, hair and beauty, and health services sectors, many employing workers with Temporary Skills Shortage (subclass 482) visas. Inspectors checked time and wage records, recent job advertisements, and provided information on workplace laws, including the right to disconnect. The ABF also ensured visa holders were not exploited and worked in their nominated positions.
Fair Work Ombudsman
AAA Aussie Emergency Glass Pty Ltd, operating in Beenleigh, Queensland, and its director Michael Ronald Boehm, have been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This follows a Fair Work Ombudsman investigation into breaches of the Fair Work Act. The company, also known as ‘Aussie Printing Stickers & Signs’, ‘Beenleigh Glass’, and ‘Upper Class Tradesman’, failed to comply with Compliance Notices regarding underpayments to four workers. Three workers were glaziers and an office manager, employed for several years, while a fourth was a construction worker for two months. The company previously faced penalties in 2016 for unfair dismissal.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Port Melbourne Cosmetic Clinic Pty Ltd, operating as Bayside Skin and Laser Clinic, and its sole director, Robin Abdelmalek, have been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed an admission of breaching the Fair Work Act. The clinic failed to comply with a Compliance Notice, which required back-payment of wages and provision of a correct pay slip to two workers. One worker was a part-time nurse and the other a full-time clinic manager, both employed between August and October 2022. The company paid the owed amounts only after the Fair Work Ombudsman commenced legal action.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) conducted surprise visits to over 30 food sector and hospitality businesses in Darwin between August 26 and 28, 2025. This was part of Operation Sentinel, targeting suspected shadow economy activities. The investigations were prompted by community information and tip-offs. Businesses visited included fast food outlets, restaurants, and cafés.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Western Chinese Language School Incorporated, located in Braybrook, Melbourne, and its former volunteer chairperson, Baoquan Chen, have been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from four Chinese language teachers engaged between October 2016 and June 2021. The school failed to comply with a Compliance Notice regarding outstanding minimum entitlements, superannuation, and interest for the teachers. Mr. Chen was involved in this failure. The school operated under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Sempha Solutions Pty Ltd, which operates the La La Land adult retail store in Brunswick, Melbourne, and its sole director, Simon Paul Herman, 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 required the company to calculate and back-pay minimum wages, overtime entitlements, and penalty rates owed to a young store manager employed on a casual basis between September 2022 and April 2023. The worker was aged 22 to 23 during this period. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving a request for assistance from the affected worker.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Innovative Associates Pty Ltd, a Sydney accounting firm, and its director, Dila Ram Kharel. They are accused of exploiting a Nepalese national employed as an assistant accountant between July 2019 and December 2020. The worker, who held a temporary graduate visa, allegedly had to pay amounts to cover her wages, superannuation, and tax through a 'cashback scheme'. It's alleged she transferred approximately $32,907 to Mr Kharel, with $27,873.50 returned as wages. The company also allegedly breached record-keeping and pay slip laws.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Karl Haidenbauer and Mezzaco Trading Pty Ltd, former operators of the 'Six Ain’t Seven' café in North Parramatta. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in September 2023 after suspecting breaches of the Restaurant Industry Award regarding minimum wages paid to two casual employees between August 2022 and April 2023. One worker was on a working holiday visa from Vietnam, and the other was an 18-year-old international student from Nepal. The company is also accused of failing to provide a pay slip to one employee. The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges they did not comply with the Compliance Notice and breached the Fair Work Act.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Canberra Electrical Solutions Pty Ltd and its sole director, Tayfun Yildirim. The investigation began after two workers, an electrical labourer and a junior apprentice (aged 18), reported concerns about their pay. They were employed full-time between February and October 2023. A Fair Work Inspector issued Compliance Notices in September and December 2023, alleging underpayment of minimum wages, annual leave, and overtime. The company was required to back-pay entitlements totalling $7,156.
Fair Work Ombudsman
My IT Partner Pty Ltd, trading as My Info Tech Partner, failed to comply with a Fair Work Ombudsman Compliance Notice. The company employed a worker in an IT helpdesk support role from August 2019 to August 2022. The Compliance Notice required the company to calculate and back-pay underpaid wages and annual leave entitlements. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after a worker requested assistance. The company’s sole director and shareholder, Aaron Fisher, threatened legal action against the Fair Work Ombudsman to avoid compliance.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Downings Pty Ltd, a former pharmacy operator in Fremantle, Western Australia, and its sole director, Joseph Lenny, have been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed a Fair Work Ombudsman investigation initiated by a request from a pharmacist employed by the company between 2010 and 2023. The pharmacist was initially employed full-time before transitioning to part-time. The company failed to comply with a Compliance Notice requiring calculation and back-payment of accrued annual leave entitlements. The pharmacist's accrued annual leave entitlements were considered significant.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against David Mark Blumentals, the former owner-operator of D365.Group Pty Ltd, an IT services company liquidated in 2023. The company provided services related to Microsoft software. The investigation began after requests for assistance from workers. It is alleged Mr Blumentals was involved in underpaying 16 IT consultants, based in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, a total of $149,240 between October 2021 and December 2022. Seven of the workers held visas. The alleged underpayments ranged from $4,581 to $23,749, and included unpaid annual leave and wages, and payment in lieu of notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Brian Thomas Rundle, a sole trader operating 'Porkys Garage' in Pooraka, Adelaide, failed to back-pay wages owed to a deaf apprentice. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after a request for assistance from the apprentice, who worked between September 2022 and March 2023. The apprentice reported difficulties finding employment due to his deafness and felt he was being taken advantage of. Despite repeated requests, his wages remained unpaid.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against Shinya Geelong HR Pty Ltd, Shinya Torquay HR Pty Ltd, and their sole director, Mr Tao Mu. They operate several Japanese noodle restaurants in Geelong and Torquay, Victoria. Four employees, including three visa holders from Vietnam and China, raised concerns about unpaid wages. The investigation covered the period between November 2020 and July 2023. Compliance Notices were issued in August 2023 regarding alleged failures to pay minimum wages, weekend rates, public holiday rates, and accrued annual leave.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Brenton Gietzel, the former operator of 'Queensland Made' in Toowoomba, was penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. The business manufactured and sold wooden furniture. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from four workers, including a full-time apprentice cabinet maker and three casual employees. The workers were employed between January 2022 and October 2023. A Fair Work Inspector issued two Compliance Notices related to underpayments of wages, public holidays, personal leave, and annual leave entitlements under the Timber Industry Award 2020. The business is no longer trading and the workers are estimated to be owed approximately $38,000.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Kassiou Constructions Pty Ltd, a residential building and construction company based in Winnellie, Darwin, and its director, Ilias Kassiou, have been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed a Fair Work Inspector issuing a Compliance Notice in September 2023. The notice related to the company's failure to calculate and back-pay accrued but untaken annual leave entitlements to a full-time skilled labourer employed between 2012 and 2021. The company is now in liquidation.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Kosu Group Pty Ltd, which previously operated Yakiniku Kosu restaurant in Castle Hill, Sydney, and its sole director and part-owner, Sean Lee. They are accused of underpaying two Filipino workers a total of almost $100,000 between May 2019 and September 2020. The workers, a food and beverage attendant and a sous chef, were allegedly paid significantly less than their lawful entitlements, including minimum pay rates, overtime, penalty rates, and annual leave. Kosu Group is also accused of falsifying records to inspectors and breaching record-keeping and pay slip laws. The Yakiniku Kosu restaurant is now closed.
Fair Work Ombudsman
O’Malley’s Operations Pty Ltd, a labour hire company supplying staff to the Royal Hotel Granville, is facing legal action from the Fair Work Ombudsman. This action follows a failure to pay $6,095 in compensation to a former employee. The employee was dismissed in May 2023 after informing her employer of her pregnancy. Fair Work Commissioner Alana Matheson found the dismissal was unfair and ordered the company to pay compensation. Riley Panetta-Sleiman, the operations manager of O’Malley’s Operations, is also involved in the legal action.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Roberta O’Leary, the former operator of Treasure Island Auctions in Rathmines, New South Wales. An investigation began after a request for assistance from a part-time worker, engaged as a ‘coder and lotter’ between March 2021 and September 2022. The worker was responsible for tasks like photographing and listing items. A Compliance Notice was issued in April 2023, alleging underpayment of minimum wages and unpaid annual leave entitlements under the General Retail Industry Award 2020 and the National Employment Standards. Ms O’Leary allegedly failed to comply with the notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Bharathi Karnati, a former commission agent of a United Petroleum outlet in Truganina, Victoria, and Ravikanth Baddam, the former manager of the outlet. They are accused of providing false pay slips and underpaying an Indian international student employed as a casual console operator. The student was allegedly paid as little as $14 per hour, significantly below the minimum wage of $28.38 per hour, resulting in an underpayment of $2,337. The underpayment has been rectified. Further record-keeping breaches are also alleged.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Guoyong “Jet” Liu, a visa holder, worked at Din Tai Fung in Sydney between July 2014 and May 2018. He and 16 other employees, primarily migrants from China and Indonesia, were deliberately underpaid. Jet felt pressured to accept low wages and experienced significant stress and reduced time with his family. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated and found a calculated scheme to underpay employees. The company, an associated company, and two company representatives faced penalties.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Nereshnie Pather, the former operator of a Sydney-based cleaning business. This action follows requests for assistance from three migrant workers employed as casual cleaners between May and June 2023. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in October 2023 after suspecting underpayment of minimum casual hourly rates under the Cleaning Services Award 2020. The workers included a Taiwanese and a Chilean national on working holiday visas. Ms. Pather allegedly failed to comply with the Compliance Notice and did not provide a pay slip to one worker.
Fair Work Ombudsman
AICA International Pty Ltd, a Perth-based company operating in several industries, and its former director, Shiju Mathews, have been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. The company failed to comply with a Compliance Notice regarding back-paying a full-time system and computer engineer employed between February 2018 and July 2022. Mr. Mathews was involved in this breach. The worker was underpaid minimum wages under the Professional Employees Award 2020.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has announced a 3.5% increase to the national minimum wage, effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2025. The new rate is $948 per week or $24.95 per hour. Casual employees are entitled to a minimum of $31.19 per hour, including a 25% casual loading. This increase also applies to minimum wage rates within industry and occupational awards. Approximately 20.7% of Australian employees are paid at these minimum wage rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman urges employers to ensure eligible employees receive the increase and provides resources to assist with calculations.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) conducted a three-year Horticulture Strategy (2021-2024) inspecting over 500 employers across 15 regional hotspots. Inspections targeted farms, orchards, and labour hire providers. The Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley in Victoria had the highest non-compliance rate (83%), followed by the Riverina in NSW (72%). Labour hire providers consistently had higher breach rates than direct growers. The FWO issued fines and recovered unpaid wages for 464 underpaid workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
H-TEQ Pty Ltd, formerly operating as ‘Hydro Construction Products’ in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, failed to comply with a Fair Work Ombudsman Compliance Notice. The Compliance Notice related to unpaid accrued annual leave entitlements for a full-time warehouse storeperson at a Minto, Sydney warehouse, between April 2019 and March 2021. The company’s sole director, Ian Robert Turner, was also involved. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after a worker requested assistance.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against Amanda Hay and Suzanne Miller, former operators of 'The Pantry at Corrimal' restaurant in Wollongong, NSW. The action relates to alleged underpayment and failure to pay penalty rates to a young casual food and beverage attendant employed in August-September 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in April 2023, requiring back-payment of entitlements, but it was allegedly not fully complied with. Approximately $2,188 remains outstanding.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman is conducting inspections of 34 fast food outlets, restaurants, and cafés in Noosa Heads, Noosaville, and Tewantin, Sunshine Coast. The inspections began on June 18, 2025. They aim to check for underpayments and compliance with workplace laws. Businesses were selected based on prior non-compliance, reports, and vulnerability of workers, including visa holders. The Fair Work Ombudsman is partnering with the Department of Home Affairs to inform employers about migrant worker protections. This follows previous inspections in 2023 which recovered over $220,000 for 447 underpaid workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Scott John Redmond, former owner and operator of Cleaning Excellence Pty Ltd, trading as Cleaning Excellence. The company, located in the Central Coast, Newcastle and Wagga Wagga areas of NSW, was deregistered in January 2024. It is alleged that Mr. Redmond underpaid 12 cleaners a total of $22,411 between July 2019 and May 2022. Some workers were full-time, others casual, and four were young workers aged between 20 and 23. Allegations include failing to pay wages for up to three weeks, underpaying minimum wages, casual loading, night-shift penalty rates, and vehicle allowances, as well as annual leave, public holiday, and payment-in-lieu-of-notice entitlements. Mr. Redmond also allegedly provided false pay slips and failed to comply with a Notice to Produce records. This is the second time the Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against Mr. Redmond.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Sayyes Investments Pty Ltd, a former franchisee of a Burrito Bar outlet in Rural View, Mackay, and its sole director, Subrahmanyam Sukhavasi. A young, casual food and beverage attendant, aged 16 to 17, worked for the company between December 2021 and September 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in April 2023 alleging underpayment of minimum wages and penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work, under the Restaurant Industry Award 2020. The company allegedly failed to comply with the notice and breached pay slip laws.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against CBS International Trading Co. Pty Ltd, a baby formula manufacturer in Dandenong South, Victoria. The investigation began after three full-time employees, including a temporary graduate visa holder, requested assistance. They worked as machine operators between June 2022 and May 2024. Fair Work Inspectors issued Compliance Notices in February and May 2024, alleging underpayment of annual leave entitlements and minimum wages, based on the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2020 and the National Employment Standards. The company allegedly failed to comply with these notices.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Griffith University signed an Enforceable Undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman and will complete more than $8.34 million in payments, including interest and superannuation, to 5,457 underpaid staff. Affected employees worked across all four of Griffith's academic groups (Arts, Education and Law; Business; Health; Sciences) and all six of its Queensland campuses. They included full-time, part-time and casual academic, professional, support and fitness staff, and proctors. Griffith self-reported to the FWO in March 2022 after identifying underpayments under its enterprise agreements and two awards. The causes included insufficient training for course convenors and school administrators, weak onboarding data, and non-existent or insufficient payroll review processes.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Big Fat Greek (Belmore) Pty Ltd and its sole director, Peter Sinadinos. The company, which previously operated a fast food outlet in Belmore, Sydney, allegedly underpaid a casual kitchen attendant, a visa holder, between October 2021 and July 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in October 2023, requiring back-payment of wages, overtime, penalty rates, and a clothing allowance under the Fast Food Industry Awards. The company failed to comply with the notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Yarraville Business Pty Ltd, Taylors Business Pty Ltd, and SNNB Enterprises Pty Ltd, former operators of Cash Converter stores in Epping, Taylors Lake, and Yarraville. The sole director, Graeme Grainger, is also facing court. Fair Work Inspectors issued Compliance Notices between November 2022 and February 2023, believing the companies underpaid seven full-time employees as store managers, retail employees, and shop assistants. The alleged underpayment related to accrued but untaken annual leave and minimum wages for work in 2022. The companies failed to comply with the notices, and the total amount owed to employees ranged from $2,972 to $16,833. The stores are now closed.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against KYT Laboratories Pty Ltd, trading as ‘Keytrust Laboratories’ and ‘Keytrust CollabCare’, and its sole director, Charles Greatrex. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in March 2023 after believing the company underpaid an information technology worker employed from 2014 to 2022. The alleged underpayment involved minimum wages under the Professional Employees Award 2020 and unpaid annual leave entitlements. The company has not fully complied with the Compliance Notice, with over $24,000 remaining outstanding.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Matthew John Patton, the operator of 'Dirty Bits Decorative Concrete Coatings' in New South Wales. An investigation began after a worker requested assistance. It was alleged that Mr. Patton underpaid a casual construction worker between January and March 2022, failing to pay minimum casual hourly rates and overtime entitlements under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. A Compliance Notice was issued in June 2023, which Mr. Patton allegedly failed to comply with.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated Harris Group Co Pty Ltd, formerly known as ‘Harris Trucking’ in Traralgon, Victoria, following a request for assistance from a part-time delivery driver. The driver worked for the business between September 2021 and January 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in April 2022, believing the worker was underpaid overtime, Saturday penalty rates, and annual leave entitlements. The company's sole director, Matthew Harris, was also involved.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Veens Group Pty Ltd, a housing construction company based in Harrington Park, Sydney, and its sole director, Dasi Shi. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in June 2023 after suspecting the company failed to pay a 29-year-old Chinese construction worker, who held a student visa, for eight days in October 2022. The worker was allegedly entitled to minimum casual wages under the Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2020. The company allegedly failed to comply with the Compliance Notice, and Mr Shi is alleged to have been involved.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured penalties and compensation after Mr Viet Quoc Mai and Ms Huong Le, operators of two 'Mr Viet' Vietnamese eateries in Adelaide, underpaid 36 migrant workers. The workers, mostly Vietnamese international students aged under 25, were employed between January 2018 and September 2021. They were paid as little as $15 an hour, significantly below minimum wage. The couple also made employees pay for bubble tea and other items, and deducted money from pay for alleged customer errors. Mr Mai attempted to deceive Fair Work inspectors by falsely claiming to back-pay workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Tamer Yesilbas, the former operator of The Dock Lounge bar in Melbourne, has been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. The penalty relates to breaches of pay slip laws and failure to comply with a Compliance Notice. The Compliance Notice concerned a casual bar worker employed from December 2022 to January 2023. The worker was an Italian visa holder. Yesilbas had previously paid $2,000 to the worker, which was owed under the Compliance Notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured a penalty against Francis Placentino, former director of Monaco Willows Pty Ltd, which operated the Tusk cafe in Windsor, Melbourne. The company unlawfully deducted $3,610 from a visa holder chef’s wages between October 2021 and April 2023, claiming it was for food, coffee, and drinks without written authorisation. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after a request for assistance. The company failed to comply with a Compliance Notice regarding underpayment of minimum wages, public holiday, overtime, and annual leave entitlements. The cafe is now closed and the company is in administration.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against Stuart Angel, the former operator of Angel Smash Worx in Gosford, NSW. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in August 2023 after suspecting a full-time worker, employed between 2018 and 2022 (including as an adult apprentice), was not paid minimum wages, annual leave, or reimbursed for training costs. The worker's employment was governed by the Vehicle Manufacturing, Repair, Services and Retail Awards 2010 and 2020 and the Fair Work Act’s National Employment Standards. Mr. Angel allegedly failed to comply with the Compliance Notice and did not provide pay slips.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Southeast Auto Sales Pty Ltd, trading as All About Offroad 4x4 Specialist, in Woodridge, Queensland. The company is accused of failing to pay annual leave entitlements to a former employee, who worked as a full-time general manager and car salesperson between July 2019 and December 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in September 2023, which the company allegedly failed to comply with. The amount allegedly owing to the employee is $7,874.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman conducted surprise inspections of approximately 50 businesses across six cities: Hobart, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Cairns. These businesses, including mobile phone repair shops, discount stores, butcher shops, bakeries, grocery stores, florists, drycleaners, hair and beauty salons, beauty supply shops, and car washes, were selected based on reports and previous investigations. Inspectors checked time and wage records and pay slips to ensure workers received correct wages and entitlements. The inspections also verified employers provided the Fair Work Information Statement and Casual Employee Information Statement.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Townsend House Inc, a South Australian charity providing allied health services, self-reported workplace non-compliance to the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) in April 2023. An investigation revealed that eighty employees were underpaid base and overtime rates between September 2017 and October 2022. The underpayments, totaling over $76,000, were attributed to misunderstandings about additional hours worked and payroll system errors. The charity is part of the Can:Do Group and operates in Hindmarsh and Noarlunga, Adelaide. Affected employees held roles including administrative, social services, health professionals, and interpreters.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against Hoppers Trailer Pty Ltd, a Melbourne trailer manufacturer, and its sole director, Gurpinder Singh. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in August 2023 after suspecting the company underpaid a welder employed from June to October 2022. The welder was an Indian national on a temporary graduate visa. The company allegedly failed to pay accrued but untaken annual leave entitlements. The company also allegedly failed to comply with the Compliance Notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against Drew and Schofer Real Estate Pty Ltd, a Sydney real estate agency, and its sole director, Graeme Ralph Drew. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in December 2022 after believing the company underpaid an 18-year-old junior real estate worker employed from July to September 2022. The company allegedly failed to pay wages and accrued annual leave entitlements. The Compliance Notice required back-payment of entitlements, which the company and director allegedly failed to do.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Sabcha Pty Ltd, which operates 11 P’Nut Street Noodles restaurants in Sydney, Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast, and one of its directors, Ankur Sehgal. It is alleged that 118 workers, primarily migrant workers from countries including Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, India and Indonesia, were underpaid a total of $976,463 between April 2019 and May 2021. Alleged individual underpayments ranged from $70 to $79,000. The underpayments involved minimum wage, penalty, overtime rates, split-shift allowances, and leave entitlements. Sabcha is also accused of providing false or misleading time-and-wages records and pay slips.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman is conducting surprise inspections of 20 fast food outlets, restaurants, and cafés in Newtown and Enmore, Sydney. The inspections began on March 26, 2025. Inspectors are interviewing managers and employees, checking records, and pay slips to ensure workers receive correct pay and entitlements. Businesses were selected based on prior non-compliance, reports, and vulnerability of workers, such as young people and visa holders. This is part of a national Food Precincts Program.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against Luke Courtney Chamberlain, the former operator of Earthcare Urban Farming, a gardening and landscaping business on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Two young workers, a 17-year-old school-based apprentice and a 19-20-year-old casual employee, requested assistance. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in August 2023 after believing Mr Chamberlain had underpaid entitlements under the Gardening and Landscaping Award 2020 and the Fair Work Act. The inspector believed the apprentice received no wages for two months and the casual worker was underpaid minimum wages. Mr Chamberlain allegedly failed to comply with the notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Well Health Medical Services Pty Ltd, which operates Well Health Medical Hub in Merrylands, Sydney, and its sole director, Irfan Khan. The action follows a request for assistance from a registered nurse who was employed full-time between October 2020 and September 2023. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in December 2023 after believing the company underpaid the worker's entitlements under the Nurses Award 2020 and National Employment Standards, including minimum wages, annual leave loading, accrued but untaken annual leave, and pay for 46 hours of work. The company failed to comply with the notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Barco Traders Pty Ltd, a Sunshine Coast transport company involved in food waste, and its sole director and shareholder, Daniel John McGettigan. A truck driver worked for the company full-time from December 2021 to June 2023. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in December 2023, alleging the company failed to pay accrued but untaken annual leave entitlements. The company was required to pay $6,950 to comply with the notice, which they allegedly did not do. Mr McGettigan is alleged to have been involved in the non-compliance.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against IPS Holdings NSW Pty Ltd, a building and construction company based in Wollongong, and its sole director, Steven Sonnleitner. The investigation began after a worker, employed from September 2021 to September 2022, requested assistance. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in February 2023, concerning unpaid annual leave entitlements. The company allegedly failed to comply with this notice, and Mr Sonnleitner is alleged to have been involved.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Phyrum Um, the sole trader who owns and operates Intense Panel & Paint (trading as Slick FX Bodystyling) in Yennora, western Sydney. The action follows a request for assistance from the mother of a young worker with a disability who was employed as a part-time apprentice panel beater from May 2021 to May 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in June 2024, alleging underpayment of minimum wages, penalty rates, overtime, public holiday pay, and accrued annual leave entitlements under the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 and the Fair Work Act’s National Employment Standards. Mr Um allegedly failed to comply with the notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Michael Lawler Transport Pty Ltd, a Brisbane-based transport company, and its director, Michael Lawler. The company previously employed a driver from July 2022 to December 2023. The Fair Work Commission found the company unfairly dismissed the worker and ordered them to pay $27,280 in compensation in July 2024. The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges the company failed to comply with this order and Mr Lawler was involved. Attempts to secure voluntary compliance were unsuccessful.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against Daniel Paul O’Loughlin, the former operator of Torco Constructions in Melbourne. A young construction worker, aged 21, was employed by Mr O’Loughlin from June to October 2023. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in February 2024, believing the worker was not paid minimum wages, overtime, accrued annual leave, and superannuation entitlements under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 and the Fair Work Act. Mr O’Loughlin allegedly failed to comply with the notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
ECJ Group, an electrical services business in Western Sydney, failed to comply with a Fair Work Ombudsman Compliance Notice. The notice related to underpayment of a full-time worker employed between May 2018 and September 2022. The worker was initially an adult apprentice and later an electrical worker. The company back-paid $19,963 in entitlements and $802 in outstanding superannuation after the Fair Work Ombudsman initiated legal action. The Fair Work Ombudsman received a request for assistance from the worker.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against The Ella Group (NSW) Pty Ltd, which operates Funtime Childcare in Greenacre, NSW, and its sole director, Louise Ramona Yaacoubian. This follows a request for assistance from a young worker, aged 20 to 22, employed as an early childhood educator from April 2021 to May 2023. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in December 2023 regarding alleged underpayment of minimum wages, overtime, and annual leave entitlements under the Children’s Services Award 2010. The company allegedly failed to comply with the notice, and a pay slip contravention is also alleged. This is the second legal action against the company and director.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured penalties against KRC Pty Ltd, which operates The Colonel's Son café in Black Rock, Melbourne, and its manager, Rishi Chaudhari. The company failed to comply with a Compliance Notice regarding underpayments to a full-time cook employed between February 2021 and February 2022. The cook was owed accrued but untaken annual leave entitlements. KRC Pty Ltd back-paid the worker $3,410 after the Fair Work Ombudsman commenced legal action. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after a worker requested assistance.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) and its former Victorian Secretary, John Setka. The legal action alleges Mr Setka attempted to coerce the Australian Football League (AFL) into dismissing Stephen McBurney, the AFL’s Head of Officiating. It's claimed Mr Setka made public statements and published social media posts threatening disruption to AFL building projects if Mr McBurney was not dismissed. The actions allegedly occurred between May and June 2024.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Relationships Australia Queensland (RAQ), a not-for-profit organisation providing support services across Queensland, has back-paid over 980 current and former employees more than $5.6 million. The underpayments occurred between December 2014 and April 2023. RAQ initially identified issues during enterprise agreement negotiations and subsequently self-reported to the Fair Work Ombudsman in April 2023. Employees were underpaid base rates, leave payments, shift penalties, overtime, allowances, and additional leave entitlements. The affected employees worked in various roles statewide, including counselling officers, administration staff, and managers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
KLM Foods Pty Ltd and Loveleen Gupta were penalized for underpaying four migrant workers at two United Petroleum-branded outlets in Sandy Bay and Kingston, Tasmania, between December 2020 and February 2021. The workers, including those from India and Bangladesh, were paid flat rates ranging from $16 to $23 per hour, resulting in underpayment of minimum wages, overtime, and penalty rates. One worker, aged 19-20, was a junior. KLM Foods also required one worker to make an unlawful $6,353 cashback payment and provided false pay slips and timesheets. Vizaan Pty Ltd, a company involved in the Kingston outlet, also played a role.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Kam the Handyman and Landscapes Pty Ltd, trading as Kams Home Transformations, and its sole director, Kamal Taha. This followed a request for assistance from a visa holder who worked as a full-time construction worker for the company between September 2022 and February 2023. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in November 2023, believing the company failed to pay the worker wages for the final two weeks of employment and accrued annual leave. The company allegedly did not comply with the notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Hair & Co Pty Ltd, which operates salons in Eastern Creek and Bonnyrigg, and its owner Jalal El Hallak. They are accused of failing to pay compensation to a teenage apprentice hairdresser who was unfairly dismissed in February 2023. The Fair Work Commission had ordered Hair & Co to pay the worker $14,678 compensation plus $1,541 in superannuation following a 2023 unfair dismissal finding. The Ombudsman attempted voluntary compliance but alleges the payments remain outstanding.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured a $6,600 penalty against Justin Benjamin James Brinkies, a former senior manager of Adelaide-based security company Agile Group (Global) Pty Ltd. The company went into liquidation in 2024. Brinkies failed to comply with a Compliance Notice issued in February 2023, which required the company to back-pay 18 workers employed between November 2021 and July 2022. Some workers were visa holders. The underpaid entitlements included minimum wages, casual loading, overtime rates, and penalty rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from affected workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against Echuca Kebabs Pty Ltd and its sole director, Zekeriye Bilir. This followed a request for assistance from a worker employed between 2017 and 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in February 2023, alleging the company failed to pass on JobKeeper payments received in 2020 and 2021 and underpaid minimum wages and annual leave entitlements under the Fast Food Industry Award 2010. The company allegedly failed to comply with the Compliance Notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Hamilton Island Enterprises Limited and its subsidiary Hamilton Island Shared Services signed an Enforceable Undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman after back-paying staff more than $28.1 million. The FWO began investigating in 2020 following requests for assistance from staff. Most of the underpayments were caused by the companies paying many full-time employees annual salaries that were not high enough to cover their minimum Award entitlements, once overtime, shift-work and penalty-rate hours were included. The most common entitlements underpaid were overtime, weekend and public holiday penalties and broken-shift allowances.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Azmy Enterprises Pty Ltd, which operates Little Abbey's Academy in Hammondville, Sydney, and its sole director, Abanoub Azmy. The action follows a request for assistance from a former employee, an early childhood teacher who worked from July 2017 to September 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in June 2023, believing the worker was underpaid wages, annual leave, and an educational leader allowance, and accrued but untaken annual leave. The company allegedly failed to comply with the notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against Port Melbourne Cosmetic Clinic Pty Ltd, operating as Bayside Skin and Laser Clinic, and its sole director, Robin Abdelmalek. The action follows a request for assistance from two former employees, a part-time nurse and a full-time clinic manager, who worked between August and October 2022. The investigation revealed potential underpayment of minimum entitlements under the Nurses Award 2020 and the National Employment Standards. Specifically, the nurse was allegedly partially paid for work in her final two weeks and not paid accrued annual leave. The clinic manager was allegedly not paid one week’s wages in lieu of notice. The clinic allegedly provided a false payslip to the nurse.
Fair Work Ombudsman
R J Cornish & Co. Pty Ltd, a fruit grower in Cobram and Muckatah, Victoria, made unlawful wage deductions totaling $126,859 from the wages of 112 employees between July 2017 and June 2024. The deductions were for power ladder hire, fuel, and sprinkler damage. Inspectors found the company failed to pay employees in full. 39 of the affected employees held working holiday visas. Almost all back-payments of $123,249 have been made to 108 employees.
Fair Work Ombudsman
KTM Express (NSW) Pty Ltd, a road transport company in south-west Sydney, and its director Teresa Mamone have been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. The company failed to comply with a Compliance Notice issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The Compliance Notice related to underpayment of a full-time truck driver between November 2018 and March 2021. The worker was underpaid meal allowances, overtime rates, and penalty rates. The company back-paid the worker $30,321 after the Fair Work Ombudsman commenced legal action.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Growth Executive Talent Pty Ltd, a recruitment agency based in New South Wales, and its sole director, Brandon Wylie. The action follows a request for assistance from a young worker, aged 22, who was employed as a recruitment agent for seven weeks in early 2023. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in August 2023, believing the worker had not been paid for work performed and was owed annual leave entitlements. The company failed to comply with the notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Sergey Stanislavovich Navasardyan, the former operator of Griffon Alpha Group Pty Ltd, a now deregistered security company in Perth. It is alleged that Mr. Navasardyan was involved in underpaying 44 security guards a total of $911,292 between December 2019 and May 2022. Many of the workers were visa holders from non-English speaking backgrounds. Griffon Alpha Group employed the workers on a casual basis at various venues and events. The company allegedly paid flat rates of $21 to $25 per hour, which did not cover entitlements under the Security Services Award 2010 and 2020.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured penalties and back-pay orders against Procraft Group Pty Ltd, a residential building and construction company based in Melbourne, and its sole director, Bradley Busuttil. The company failed to comply with a Compliance Notice regarding unpaid entitlements to a full-time carpenter employed between February and December 2021. The carpenter was owed accrued but untaken annual leave entitlements. A Fair Work Inspector issued the Compliance Notice in September 2022.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured court orders against 10 Foster Street Pty Ltd, a Sydney-based wedding dress design and retail company. The company failed to comply with a Compliance Notice regarding unpaid entitlements to four workers employed between June 2015 and September 2021. Two of the workers were aged 23 to 25. The workers held roles including administration and marketing, pattern maker, draper, and design-and-sales assistant. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from the affected workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Blue Sky Kids Land Pty Ltd, a children’s clothing retailer operating in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, and its directors Guo Dong Gu and Fei Rong Yang, have been penalised for exploiting four Chinese migrant workers. The company, along with Q Fay Trading Pty Ltd (previously operated by Mr Gu and Ms Yang), underpaid the workers, with hourly rates as low as $10 between October 2015 and June 2018. The workers, aged in their 40s and with limited English, also received back-payments, superannuation, and interest. The company provided false records to inspectors and hindered Fair Work Inspectors. The investigation began following a request for assistance from one of the workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Lizzy Hair Design Pty Ltd, a hairdressing business based in Plumpton, New South Wales, and its former director, Sharon Xuereb, have been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed a Fair Work Ombudsman investigation into breaches of pay slip laws and failure to comply with a Compliance Notice. The business employed a young apprentice hairdresser between May 2018 and June 2022. The apprentice was aged between 20 and 23 during this time. The company has now ceased trading.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Kailiang Chen and Alex Du, who operate Dumpling Land, a restaurant in Wallsend, Newcastle. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in August 2023 after suspecting 28 workers were underpaid. The alleged underpayments occurred between June 2021 and April 2023, involving minimum wages, overtime, and penalty rates under the Restaurant Industry Award 2020. The affected workers included international students, some aged 24 and under, in full-time, part-time, and casual roles. While some back-payments have been made, 12 workers still have outstanding entitlements.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured penalties and back-pay orders against ESR Group Pty Ltd, formerly operating 'Essential Motor Body Smash Repairs' in Seven Hills, and its manager, Paul Silvestro. The company failed to comply with three Compliance Notices requiring calculation and back-payment of entitlements to four employees, including panel beaters and a spray painter, employed between March 2020 and December 2021. The workers were also not provided with pay slips. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from the affected workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
ABMENG Pty Ltd, an instrument calibration company based in Queensland with operations in Melbourne and Perth, and its sole director, Jay Parker, have been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. The company failed to comply with a Notice to Produce records and a Compliance Notice related to three workers employed between March and July 2021. The workers held full-time customer service, sales, and engineering roles. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from the affected workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The University of Sydney signed an Enforceable Undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman after identifying underpayments totalling more than $23 million to more than 14,000 staff, including superannuation and interest. The underpayments are part of a wider FWO focus on the university sector, where benchmark-based pay for casual academics has repeatedly fallen short of actual hours worked. The university acknowledged governance failures and breaches of its enterprise agreement obligations.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Tamer Yesilbas, the former operator of The Dock Lounge bar in Melbourne. An investigation began after a request for assistance from an Italian visa holder who worked as a casual bar worker from December 2022 to January 2023. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in July 2023, alleging underpayment of minimum wages, overtime, and penalty rates. Yesilbas allegedly failed to comply with the notice and also breached pay slip laws.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Sonja Leigh Gorman, the owner and operator of Stylush Hair & Beauty in Point Vernon, Queensland. A young worker, aged 20, sought assistance after working as a part-time salon assistant from August to November 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in March 2023, alleging Ms. Gorman failed to pay minimum wages, leave entitlements, and payment-in-lieu-of-notice, totaling approximately $2,854. Ms. Gorman allegedly did not comply with the Compliance Notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The University of Melbourne signed an Enforceable Undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman after identifying it had underpaid more than 25,000 staff a total of $72 million, including superannuation and interest. Most affected employees were casual academics. The university had been paying academics according to benchmarks, such as words-per-hour or time-per-student, rather than the actual hours worked. That meant some staff were not paid for all the time they actually spent on teaching, marking and preparation. The university self-identified the non-compliance and reported it to the regulator.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Louise Maree Melotte and her husband, Travis Francis Melotte, operated Hotel Frangos and Café Koukla in Daylesford, Victoria. They deliberately underpaid 97 staff a total of $321,202 between May 2017 and July 2019. The underpaid workers included 15 juniors, aged 15 to 20, and visa holders from Nepal, Pakistan, and Armenia. Two Nepalese cooks were also required to work unreasonable hours. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated 51 fast food outlets, restaurants, and cafés in southern Brisbane. These inspections, part of a national Food Precincts Program, found 44 businesses (86%) breached workplace laws. A total of 365 employees were underpaid, with $447,339 recovered. One business owed almost $80,000 to 27 employees, including nine visa holders. The investigation also revealed breaches related to penalty rates, minimum wages, and record-keeping. The largest amount recovered from any one business was almost $80,000 for 27 restaurant employees.
Fair Work Ombudsman
BSW Electrical Services Pty Ltd, an electrical contracting company operating in the Mornington Peninsula region of Melbourne, failed to pay a worker all entitlements. The worker was employed as an apprentice electrician from June 2015 to March 2022, later transitioning to a qualified electrician role in 2021. Following a request for assistance from the worker, the Fair Work Ombudsman investigated and issued a Compliance Notice in March 2023. The worker was owed over $14,000, which was only fully back-paid after the Fair Work Ombudsman commenced legal action.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Monaco Willows Pty Ltd, which previously operated a café called Tusk in Windsor, Melbourne, and its sole director and secretary, Francis Placentino. The action follows a request for assistance from a visa holder who worked as a chef at the café from October 2021 to April 2023. It is alleged that Monaco Willows made unauthorised deductions of $3,610 from the worker’s wages and failed to pay minimum wages, public holiday and overtime rates, and annual leave entitlements. A Compliance Notice issued in September 2023 was not complied with.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Daniel Patrick Sullivan, the former operator of T for Tiling on the Central Coast of New South Wales, has been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed a Fair Work Ombudsman investigation into his failure to calculate and back-pay entitlements to a casual tiling labourer employed between April 2020 and July 2021. He also failed to provide the worker with pay slips. A Compliance Notice was issued in July 2022, which he did not follow.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Kristy Leanne Tate, a sole trader operating Kreating Real Change Disability Services in Crookwell, New South Wales, failed to comply with a Fair Work Ombudsman Compliance Notice. The notice required her to back-pay two employees, a married couple, for periods between June 2020 and September 2022. The workers were employed in full-time home care positions. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from the workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated Chatime Australia Pty Ltd, a franchisor of Chatime bubble tea stores, and its managing director, Chen 'Charlley' Zhao. Between August and December 2016, employees at 19 Chatime stores in Sydney and Melbourne were underpaid. Employees were paid flat rates ranging from $7.59 to $24.30 per hour, missing entitlements under the Fast Food Industry Award 2010. A total of 152 employees, including 41 junior workers and 95 visa holders, were underpaid a total of $162,533. The Fair Work Ombudsman discovered the underpayments during proactive audits.
Fair Work Ombudsman
P49 Collingwood Pty Ltd, which operated 'Project 49' in Collingwood, and its sole director, Rocco Esposito, have been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after a worker requested assistance. The worker was employed full time from February 2021 to August 2022, performing barista, managerial, and supervisory duties. The company breached pay slip laws and failed to comply with a Compliance Notice regarding unpaid entitlements. Most entitlements were back-paid only after legal action commenced.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Phillip Island Souvenirs Pty Ltd, which operates 'U-Neek Souvenirs & Motorsport' in Cowes, Victoria. The company's sole director and owner, Bruce Wisbey, is also facing legal action. The investigation arose from requests for assistance from three retail assistants employed between October 2018 and December 2020, including a Slovenian visa holder. It is alleged the workers were paid unlawfully low flat hourly rates, significantly below the rates they were entitled to under the General Retail Industry Awards 2010 and 2020 and the Fair Work Act’s National Employment Standards.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated 36 fast food outlets, restaurants, and cafés in Adelaide's western suburbs. Inspections were based on intelligence from various sources, including anonymous reports. Investigations found 26 businesses, representing 79% of those inspected, had breached workplace laws. These breaches included failing to pay penalty rates, underpaying minimum wages, and record-keeping and pay slip breaches. A total of 370 employees were underpaid, with the largest amount recovered from one business being $65,986 for 10 employees.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Horne Distributors Pty Ltd, a Hobart-based distribution company, and its sole director, Phillip Horne. The investigation began after workers, who were visa holders from India, requested assistance. They performed truck driving and other duties between April 2019 and July 2022. A Compliance Notice was issued in October 2022 regarding alleged underpayment of casual minimum wages and annual leave entitlements under the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 and the National Employment Standards. The company allegedly failed to comply with the notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Express Cars Direct Australia Wide Pty Ltd, a Melbourne-based transport services business, and its sole director, Billy Petrevski, have been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed their failure to comply with a Compliance Notice issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The notice related to underpayment of wages and annual leave entitlements to a driver employed between April 2019 and May 2021. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after a worker requested assistance.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Brenton Gietzel, the sole trader who owns and operates 'Queensland Made', a furniture business in Toowoomba, Queensland. The investigation began after four workers, including three young workers, requested assistance. These workers were employed between January 2022 and October 2023, in roles including apprentice cabinet maker, casual cabinet maker, labourer, and joiner assistant. A Fair Work Inspector issued Compliance Notices in 2023 regarding alleged underpayment of minimum wages and entitlements under the Timber Industry Award 2020. Mr Gietzel allegedly failed to comply with these notices.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against Ben John Gilling, the sole trader of Benaya Building Group in Melbourne. A young apprentice carpenter, aged 16 to 17, worked for Mr Gilling between January 2021 and February 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in July 2023, alleging Mr Gilling underpaid the worker minimum wages, overtime, and annual leave entitlements. The worker was engaged in a first-year school-based apprenticeship.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) and its official, Stephen Parker. The allegations relate to conduct at the ‘Nine The Esplanade’ construction site in Perth in November 2023. It is alleged Mr Parker entered the site, climbed a tower crane, and obstructed work, causing the crane to be inoperable for approximately two hours. Multiplex, the site’s head contractor, sought assistance from the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) and two officials, Andrew Blakeley and Dean Mattas, faced legal action from the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC), later transferred to the Fair Work Ombudsman. The case involved unlawful conduct at the Inner City South State Secondary College construction project in Dutton Park, Brisbane, in July and August 2020. Blakeley threatened employees to refuse work to pressure the head contractor to remove a project manager. Mattas directed employees of seven subcontractors to cease work, an action deemed unlawful as he wasn't a validly appointed Health and Safety Representative. The actions aimed to coerce the head contractor to remove the project manager.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Navaneeth Gogikar, the former operator of a United Petroleum outlet in Sunnybank Hills, Brisbane. This action follows an investigation that began in 2020. It is alleged that Mr. Gogikar provided false employment records and payslips to a Fair Work Inspector, showing different rates of pay than what was actually paid to a young Indian international student. He is also accused of failing to keep proper records and issue payslips for three international students employed as console operators between 2019 and 2021.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Marsdon Pether, who operates the residential construction business 'FTP Construction', and his father Nat Rattana. This action follows a request for assistance from two apprentice carpenters who worked for Mr. Pether between May 2018 and December 2019. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in May 2022, alleging underpayment of minimum wages and overtime, failure to reimburse training costs, and failure to pay accrued annual leave. The alleged unpaid amount is $31,596, with only a fraction reportedly paid. Mr. Pether is also accused of breaching pay slip laws.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Metisse Bar and Restaurant Group Pty Ltd and its sole director, Opel Opu Khan. The company previously operated a French-inspired restaurant, Metisse, in Potts Point, Sydney. Two French visa holders, a cook and a food and beverage supervisor, worked for the company between February and May 2023. A Fair Work Inspector issued Compliance Notices in August 2023, alleging underpayment of minimum wages, overtime, penalty rates, personal leave, and annual leave entitlements. The company allegedly failed to comply with these notices, and the total amount owed to the workers was estimated at $7,733.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman commenced legal action against The Landhaus Estate Wines Pty Ltd and its managing director, John Jaunutis. This followed a request for assistance from a former sales representative who worked for the company from September 2020 to May 2022. An inspector issued a Compliance Notice in August 2023 regarding unpaid annual leave entitlements. The company allegedly failed to comply with this notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Julie-Ann Shotter, the owner and operator of Jules Domestic Cleaning in Sydney. The investigation began after requests for assistance from two casual cleaners employed between August 2021 and March 2023. One worker was from Brazil and held a student visa. A Fair Work Inspector issued Compliance Notices in 2022 and 2023, alleging Ms. Shotter failed to pay minimum wages under the Cleaning Services Award 2020. It is alleged one worker was only paid for one of 13 weeks and the other, a student visa holder, received no pay for three days of work.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against New Switch Electrical Pty Ltd, an electrical services company based in Tullamarine, Melbourne, and its sole director, Mark Ladores Tan. The action follows a request for assistance from a young worker who was employed as a fourth-year apprentice and then a full-time electrician between August 2021 and September 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in December 2022, alleging the worker was not paid correctly under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 and National Employment Standards, and was not paid accrued annual leave. The company failed to comply with the notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Clarke Allied Work Pty Ltd, operating 'The Innovative Dietitian' in Adelaide, failed to comply with a Fair Work Ombudsman Compliance Notice. The company employed a dietitian at its Maylands outlet between August 2020 and June 2022, initially part-time and then as a full-time principal dietitian. Following a request for assistance from the worker, the Fair Work Ombudsman investigated and issued a Compliance Notice. The company back-paid $10,387 in wages and over $1,000 in superannuation only after legal action commenced.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against McCrystal Agricultural Services Pty Ltd, a Queensland labour hire business and sweet potato farm, and its sole director, Russell McCrystal. The company operates under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. The FWO alleges the company unlawfully deducted money from 66 employees, primarily visa holders from Vanuatu, between August 2021 and March 2022. These deductions included fines for alcohol policy breaches ($14,500), excessive health insurance premiums ($1,282.50), and recovering overtime overpayments ($2,548.60). Some employees were left with as little as $150 net pay after deductions. The workers performed tasks such as planting, packing, and weeding sweet potatoes.
Fair Work Ombudsman
First Step Finance Pty Ltd, a Sydney-based finance and mortgage-broking company, and its sole director and secretary, David Brian Ward, have been penalised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed a Fair Work Ombudsman investigation into underpayment of three employees in management roles between August 2020 and February 2023. The company failed to back-pay the workers and knowingly issued false or misleading payslips. The workers were underpaid minimum wages for ordinary hours and accrued but untaken annual leave entitlements.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated 'The Springs Milkbar' in Clifton Springs, Victoria, and its parent company, Double Hao International Pty Ltd, following a request for assistance from a retail worker. The worker was employed between March 2018 and November 2020. The investigation found the company failed to comply with a Compliance Notice regarding underpayment of minimum casual wages and loadings. Company director Rong Liu was also involved in the contravention.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman secured penalties against the Mining and Energy Union (MEU) and five former union officials for intimidating and threatening conduct at the Oaky Creek North coal mine in Queensland. This occurred during negotiations for a new enterprise agreement (EA) and involved verbal abuse, filming workers, derogatory social media posts, and signs naming workers as 'scabs'. The conduct took place in 2017 and 2018. The union officials held various leadership positions within the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU).
Fair Work Ombudsman
Om Shiva Foods Pty Ltd, trading as Wulagi Supermarket in Darwin, and its sole director Vinay Madasu, have been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. This followed a Fair Work Ombudsman investigation into underpayment and record-keeping breaches affecting a casual retail assistant, an Indian national on a temporary graduate visa, employed between February 2020 and August 2021. A Compliance Notice issued in October 2022 was not followed. The worker was underpaid minimum wages, penalty rates, and overtime rates.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Yarraville Business Pty Ltd, formerly operating Cash Converters stores in Yarraville and Taylors Lakes, has been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court. The company failed to comply with a Compliance Notice issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The notice related to a full-time worker employed at the Yarraville store between July 2015 and April 2018, and at the Taylors Lakes store between May 2018 and March 2020. The worker was allegedly paid a flat rate of $21.76 an hour, resulting in underpayment of minimum wages, overtime, annual leave, and penalty rates.
Fair Work Ombudsman
A & G Lamattina & Sons Pty Ltd, a celery producer based in Boneo, Victoria, has been penalized by the Federal Circuit and Family Court for underpaying three migrant employees. The employees, who held bridging visas and spoke Indonesian and Malay, were employed on a casual basis between February 2020 and February 2021. They were not paid minimum wages, casual loading, overtime, or public holiday rates as required by the Horticulture Awards 2010 and 2020. One employee was underpaid for 10 out of 52 weeks, another for 6 out of 36 weeks, and the third for 8 out of 41 weeks, totaling $91,907 in underpayments. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from the workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against ECJ Group Pty Ltd, trading as ECJ Electrical & Communications, located in Western Sydney. The action follows a request for assistance from a worker who was employed full-time from May 2018 to September 2022, initially as an adult apprentice and later as an electrical worker. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in December 2023, alleging underpayment of minimum wages and annual leave entitlements under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 and the National Employment Standards. The company allegedly failed to comply with the notice, with an estimated outstanding amount of $19,693.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against AWT Transport Pty Ltd, a Gold Coast-based road transport company, and Robert Reynolds, an accountant who provided services to the company. The action follows a request for assistance from a driver who was employed casually between February 2019 and August 2021. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in November 2022, alleging underpayment of a cents-per-kilometre rate. Reynolds responded to the Compliance Notice on behalf of AWT Transport but failed to take the required actions. This is the first time the FWO has taken legal action against a professional services provider for failing to comply with a Compliance Notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Kassiou Constructions Pty Ltd, a Darwin-based residential building and construction company, and its director, Ilias Kassiou. The action follows a request for assistance from a worker who was employed as a full-time skilled labourer from 2012 to 2021. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in September 2023, alleging the company failed to pay accrued but untaken annual leave entitlements. The company allegedly did not comply with the notice, and the Ombudsman is now taking the matter to court.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against Clark Projects Pty Ltd, a Western Sydney construction business based in Earlwood. The company builds demountable and portable buildings. The investigation began after a former casual labourer requested assistance, alleging underpayment in August and September 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in June 2023, believing the employee was underpaid and not paid for overtime. The company allegedly failed to comply with the notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against Downings Pty Ltd, formerly operating Fremantle Pharmacy in Fremantle, and its sole director, Joseph Lenny. A pharmacist worked for the company from 2010 to 2023, initially full-time and later part-time. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in August 2023 regarding unpaid accrued annual leave entitlements. The company allegedly failed to comply with the notice and back-pay the worker’s entitlements. The pharmacy now has new operators and no allegations are made against them.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Nilkanth Enterprise Pty Ltd, trading as 'Strawberry Point' in Forest Hill, Melbourne, and its sole director, Ashvinkumar Mavjibhai Chavan, failed to comply with a Fair Work Ombudsman Compliance Notice. The company employed an international student from India as a casual retail assistant from May 2021 to May 2022. The worker was underpaid casual minimum wage and weekend penalty rates under the General Retail Industry Award 2020. The company back-paid $5,474 after the Fair Work Ombudsman commenced legal action. The FWO investigated after a request for assistance from the worker.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has reminded employers and employees about the new 'right to disconnect' which began on August 26, 2024. This right, introduced through the Closing Loopholes laws, applies to employees of non-small businesses (employers with 15 or more employees). Employees can refuse after-hours contact unless that refusal is unreasonable. Small businesses have until August 26, 2025, before this right applies. The Fair Work Commission will handle disputes related to the right to disconnect.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Territory Tough Pty Ltd, formerly operating a 'Good Thanks' burger outlet in Darwin, failed to pay a young chef his full entitlements. The chef, aged 17 to 20, was completing a commercial cookery apprenticeship between May 2019 and June 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in October 2022, requiring back-payment for time spent in registered training under the Restaurant Industry Award 2010 and 2020. Territory Tough did not comply with the notice or a subsequent court order.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Humza Moussa, who operated Xteria Designs in Leppington, south-west Sydney, failed to back-pay entitlements to a 15-year-old worker employed as a casual labourer between November 2021 and January 2022. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after a request for assistance from the worker. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in August 2022, which Mr Moussa did not follow.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against 10 Foster Street Pty Ltd, which operates a wedding dress design studio in Leichardt, Sydney. The action follows requests for assistance from four workers employed between June 2015 and September 2021. The workers held full-time and part-time roles including design, pattern making, drapery, design-and-sales assistance and administration/marketing. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in May 2022 regarding unpaid annual leave and payment-in-lieu-of-notice. Two of the employees were aged 23 to 25 at the time of their employment.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman commenced legal action against Christopher Justin Eagle, the sole trader who owns and operates Eagletech Engineering in Orange, New South Wales. The business, which specialises in steam engine and rolling stock management and maintenance, was previously located in Lithgow. The investigation began after a worker, aged 21 to 25 during his employment, requested assistance. He was employed as a fitter and machinist at the Lithgow site between January 2019 and March 2023, initially as an apprentice and later as a qualified tradesperson. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in August 2023 alleging unpaid wages and annual leave entitlements.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against The Ella Group (NSW) Pty Ltd, which operates Funtime Childcare in Greenacre, and its sole director, Louise Ramona Yaacoubian. The action follows a request for assistance from a young worker, an early childhood educator, who was employed casually between November 2019 and April 2022. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in February 2023, alleging underpayment of casual minimum wages under the Children's Services Award 2010. The company allegedly failed to comply with the notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against 2Cloud Technology Pty Ltd, a Melbourne-based website design and development company, and its sole director, Canyuan Liao. The action follows a request for assistance from a Chinese national who worked as an IT specialist for the company between January 2022 and May 2023, while on a temporary graduate visa. A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice in September 2023, alleging underpayment of wages and annual leave entitlements. The company allegedly failed to comply with the notice, and the outstanding amount is approximately $18,418.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated 35 food outlets in Cairns, including fast food restaurants, cafes, and cheap eats venues. The investigations, prompted by anonymous reports, found 23 businesses, or 74%, breached workplace laws. A total of 209 employees were underpaid. The largest amount recovered from a single business was $46,576 for six employees who were cooks, kitchen hands, and bar attendants. The investigation also resulted in 11 infringement notices for record-keeping and payslip breaches.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Federal Court imposed record penalties of $15.3 million against the former operators of the Sushi Bay outlets in NSW, Darwin and Canberra after the Fair Work Ombudsman proved they deliberately exploited vulnerable migrant workers. The companies and owner-director Yi Jeong 'Rebecca' Shin underpaid 163 workers, mostly Korean nationals on student, working holiday and 457 skilled worker visas, a total of $653,129 between February 2016 and January 2020. Individual underpayments ranged from $48 to $83,968. The group also falsified records to try to cover up the breaches.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Pure Telecom Pty Ltd, trading as VMCN Solutions, and its sole director, Steven Joseph Woods, failed to back-pay entitlements to a full-time IT professional employed between November 2014 and July 2017. The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after a worker requested assistance. A Compliance Notice was issued in May 2022 regarding underpayment of minimum wages and accrued annual leave. The company partially back-paid the worker after the Compliance Notice and legal proceedings began.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman commenced legal action against My IT Partner Pty Ltd, trading as My Info Tech Partner, an IT company in Perth. A worker was employed in an IT helpdesk support role from August 2019 to August 2022. The Fair Work Inspector believed the company underpaid minimum wages and failed to pay wages for the final three weeks of employment. The worker was also allegedly not paid accrued annual leave. My IT Partner did not comply with a Compliance Notice requiring back-payment of entitlements.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated 32 food businesses in south-east Melbourne, including venues in Bentleigh, Carnegie, and Clayton. These inspections followed intelligence from various sources, including anonymous reports. The investigation found 26 businesses (81%) breached workplace laws. A total of 121 employees were underpaid, with one business owing up to $13,071 to four casual workers. The total amount recovered was over $58,000.
Fair Work Commission
The Fair Work Commission is Australia's national workplace relations tribunal.
Federal Court of Australia
The Federal Court of Australia is a superior court of record.
Federal Circuit & Family Court of Australia
The Federal Circuit & Family Court of Australia (Division 2) hears the bulk of small-claim and mid-tier employment matters in the federal jurisdiction.