Campaign highlights underpayment of apprentices

A Fair Work Ombudsman report has revealed that one in three Australian businesses audited as part of the agency’s National Apprenticeship Campaign failed to pay their apprentices correct wages.

Wollongong targeted for unannounced audits

The Fair Work Ombudsman has conducted a series of unannounced audits in Wollongong in response to concerns young workers in the town are being exploited.

Workplace audits indicate room for improvement for small businesses in Top End

Spot checks of 16 take-away and informal dining outlets in the suburbs of Darwin have found that more than 60 per cent were not compliant with workplace laws.

Queensland labour-hire operator slammed for “appalling and egregious treatment” of visa-holders

A Queensland labour-hire company and its director have been penalised $227,300 for deliberately exploiting vulnerable foreign workers after luring them to Australia with a string of false promises.

Victorian business faces legal action over failure to pay compensation

A former trolley collecting services operator in regional Victoria is facing court for allegedly ignoring Fair Work Commission orders to compensate two employees who had been unfairly dismissed.

$72 000 in penalties after international student exploited, dismissed by text message

The operator of a Queensland resort restaurant has been penalised for his “deliberate and calculated” conduct in exploiting a young international student and dismissing her by text message because she refused to accept below-Award wages.

Packing company delivered $220K penalty after “appalling greed” in underpaying migrant workers

A Melbourne packing services business with a history of short-changing workers and one of its directors have been penalised more than $220,000 for underpaying three staff, including two visa holders.

Judgment confirms Compliance Notice and $77,000 for Indian worker

The Fair Work Ombudsman has won judicial support for the first review of a compliance notice.

New app, heavier penalties reinforce record-keeping as core business

As workers get an innovative new tool to record their hours, it is time for businesses to take record-keeping as seriously as the courts and government.

New app to prevent exploitation of young and migrant workers

The Fair Work Ombudsman has released a new app aimed at tackling the persistent problem of underpayment of young workers and migrant workers around the country.