Sydney plumbing operators in court
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against the operators of a Sydney plumbing business for an alleged breach affecting a young apprentice and a migrant worker.
Facing court are Universal Co Roofing & Plumbing Pty Ltd and the company’s sole director and shareholder, Jan Aaron de Looper.
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from an apprentice plumber and a plumber the company employed between August 2024 and April 2025.
The apprentice was aged 20 at the time and the other worker was an Indian visa holder.
A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice to Universal Co Roofing & Plumbing in September 2025 after forming a belief the company had underpaid the workers’ entitlements under the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020 and the Fair Work Act’s National Employment Standards.
The Inspector formed a belief that the company had underpaid the plumber’s minimum wages and overtime entitlements and failed to pay both workers their accrued but untaken annual leave at the end of their employment.
The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges the company, without a reasonable excuse, failed to comply with the Compliance Notice, which required it to calculate and rectify the amounts owing to the workers and provide evidence of compliance.
It is alleged Mr de Looper was involved in the contravention.
It is alleged that, while the company has made some payments to the workers since the Compliance Notice was issued, the company has not fully rectified its non-compliance with the Compliance Notice.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said the regulator would continue to take action where lawful requests were not complied with.
“Where employers do not comply, we will take appropriate action to protect employees. A court can order a business to pay penalties, and to take steps to comply with a Compliance Notice including calculating and back-paying entitlements,” Ms Booth said.
“Employers should be aware that taking action to protect young workers and migrant workers and improve compliance in the building and construction industry are among our top priorities.
“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance.”
The Fair Work Ombudsman is seeking penalties in court for the alleged failure to comply with the Compliance Notice. Universal Co Roofing & Plumbing Pty Ltd faces penalties of up to $99,000 and Mr de Looper faces a penalty of up to $19,800.
The regulator is also seeking a court order requiring the company to comply with the Compliance Notice including calculating and rectifying any outstanding entitlements, plus superannuation and interest.
A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Sydney on 4 September 2026.
The Fair Work Ombudsman recovered more than $17 million in unpaid entitlements for employees across the building and construction sector in the three years to June 2025.
In 2024-25, the FWO secured total court penalties of more than $870,000 for failures to comply with Compliance Notices.
The Fair Work Ombudsman filed 171 litigations against employers involving visa holder workers, and secured $39 million in penalties in cases that have included visa holder workers, in the eight financial years to June 2025.
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 or their union, if they are a union member.
Resources, including for independent contractors, are available on our building and construction sector webpage.
Information is available for employees and employers at our apprentices and young workers and students webpages.
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.
The FWO has an online anonymous report tool, including options to report in languages other than English, and information for migrant workers, including on protections for their visas, is available at our visa holders and migrants webpage.
The FWO provides a free online course to help employers understand what a Compliance Notice is and how to respond if they get one. The Compliance Notice course, among a suite of free interactive courses on offer for employers, managers and employees, is available in our online learning centre.
