23 October 2025

The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action in relation to a sixth United Petroleum outlet, alleging the former operator of a store in Melbourne’s south-east underpaid a migrant worker.

Facing court is Satarupa Patel, a sole trader and the former commission agent of a United Petroleum outlet on the Princes Highway at Hallam.

The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges that Ms Patel paid the employee, an Indian national who was on a temporary resident visa at the time, unlawfully low flat rates of no more than $15 per hour.

The FWO alleges this resulted in underpayments of his minimum hourly rates, overtime entitlements, and higher rates for weekend and public holiday work.

It is alleged that the worker was, for example, entitled to be paid minimum hourly rates of at least $28.38, and additional payments of at least $15.81 per hour of overtime worked.

It is alleged the rates paid were below those owed under the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020, and resulted in Ms Patel underpaying the worker a total of $9,271 between October 2020 to March 2021.

Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said the nature of the alleged contraventions meant that litigation was the appropriate response.

“Any employer who allegedly significantly undercuts the legal rates risks facing legal action,” Ms Booth said.

“We allege the employer here was paying flat hourly rates that were only barely above half the worker’s owed minimum rates for ordinary hours, and about one-third of their total owed rates for overtime hours. These levels of underpayments will never be tolerated.

“Employers should also be aware that taking action to protect migrant workers is an enduring priority for the Fair Work Ombudsman.

“We applaud the worker in this case for assisting the Fair Work Ombudsman’s investigation. Migrant workers have the same workplace rights in Australia as any other worker, and protections for their visas exist if they call out any exploitation.

“Anybody with concerns about their entitlements should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free assistance.”

The FWO is seeking penalties in court. Ms Patel faces penalties of up to $13,320 per contravention.

The regulator is also seeking an order requiring Ms Patel to rectify the alleged underpayment in full, plus superannuation and interest.

A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Melbourne on 3 December 2025.

The proceedings are the latest legal action by the Fair Work Ombudsman against former operators of United Petroleum-branded outlets, which follow a FWO investigation into the United Petroleum network commenced in response to concerns about non-compliance.

The investigation involved audits of 20 United Petroleum-branded outlets across Tasmania, Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

Total penalties from concluded litigations have exceeded $230,000 to date.

Two of the legal actions were finalised in court in February this year, with the Fair Work Ombudsman securing $179,221 in penalties in relation to underpayments of workers at two United Petroleum-branded outlets in Tasmania.

Another legal action was finalised last month when the Fair Work Ombudsman secured $38,500 in penalties against the former operators of a United Petroleum outlet in South Australia for breaches including staff underpayments.

A fourth legal action was finalised in August 2025 with Navaneeth Gogikar, who formerly operated a United Petroleum outlet in Brisbane as a sole trader, being penalised $15,984.

The other court case - against sole trader Bharathi Karnati, in relation to an outlet in Melbourne - is ongoing.

The Fair Work Ombudsman filed 146 litigations against employers involving visa holder workers, and secured nearly $23 million in penalties in cases that have included visa holder workers, in the seven financial years to June 2024.

Employers and employees can visit www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for free advice and assistance. An interpreter service is available on 13 14 50. Employees can also seek information from their employer and their union, if they are a union member.

The FWO has targeted resources for visa holder workers – who have the same workplace rights as other workers – and young workers.

Employers can seek information from their employer association if they are a member, and also use the FWO’s pay calculator and Small Business Showcase.

NOTE: The Fair Work Ombudsman makes no allegations against the current operators of the United Petroleum outlet on the Princes Highway, Hallam.