27 July 2026

The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured a total of $21,114 in penalties and back-pay orders in court against the operator of a Sydney cleaning business who was “untruthful” during the FWO’s investigation.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court has imposed a $12,840 penalty against Julie-Ann Shotter, who operates Jules Domestic Cleaning as a sole trader.

The penalty was imposed after Ms Shotter failed to comply with two Compliance Notices requiring her to back-pay two workers she employed as cleaners on a casual basis.

One of the workers was paid wages for only one of the 13 weeks of work she performed for Ms Shotter’s business between October 2021 and January 2022. The worker passed away in 2023.

Ms Shotter failed to pay the other worker, a Brazilian international student, any wages for three days of work she performed in March 2023.

In addition to the penalty, the Court has ordered Ms Shotter to make back-payments totalling $8,274, including $7,819 to the estate of the deceased worker and $455 to the international student. Ms Shotter must also pay additional superannuation and interest.

Fair Work Inspectors issued Compliance Notices to Ms Shotter in October 2022 and November 2023 after forming beliefs that she had failed to pay the workers their minimum wages under the Cleaning Services Award 2020.

The Fair Work Ombudsman presented evidence in court that Ms Shotter claimed to have subsequently finalised her obligation to the now deceased worker via cash payment before the worker died because, according to Ms Shotter, the worker had “requested this in cash as her dying wish”.

Despite claiming to have made the cash payment Ms Shotter later admitted that the full amount owed to the worker remained outstanding.

Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said employers that failed to act on Compliance Notices needed to be aware they could face court-imposed penalties on top of having to pay workers.

“This case shows that even in situations where a worker has passed away and an employer is being untruthful during our investigation – including falsely claiming to have made the owed payments to a worker – our Inspectors will persist and ensure that the law is enforced,” Ms Booth said.

“Where employers do not comply, we will take appropriate action to ensure all minimum lawful entitlements are paid. A court can order a business to pay penalties and make payments.

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

“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free assistance. They can also contact their union if they are a member.”

The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated after receiving requests for assistance from the affected workers.

Judge Amanda Given found that Ms Shotter was “untruthful on a number of occasions in her interactions with the FWO”.

“It is open to infer, and I do, that these untruths were deliberate,” Judge Given said.

“I am satisfied that Ms Shotter was given a significant period of time, and multiple opportunities, in which to rectify her non-compliance with the respective Compliance Notices.”

Judge Given found that “there seems to be a universal lack of remorse on the part of Ms Shotter” and that there was a need to impose “a penalty that will provide sufficient sting to dissuade Ms Shotter from engaging in future similar conduct”.

Judge Given found that the penalty should also discourage other employers from similar conduct.

“I am satisfied that penalty should be set at a level which sends a message to employers generally, as well as employers in the cleaning industry, that a failure to comply with a Compliance Notice will not be tolerated by the Court,” Judge Given said.

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.

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.

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.

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.