Fifty businesses across six Australian cities have been fined following surprise inspections by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The most serious penalties were issued to businesses that breached workplace laws concerning migrant and young workers—groups often unaware of their rights or hesitant to report unfair treatment.
The Ombudsman stressed that all visa holders have the same workplace rights as Australian citizens and encouraged migrant workers to report underpayment or exploitation, assuring them that their visa status would be protected.
Many of the violations were linked to poor or missing records, which can hide serious issues like wage theft.
Businesses were fined up to $1,878 per violation involving an individual worker, and up to $9,390 per violation for organizations.
Fines were handed out in Hobart, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Cairns.
The businesses included mobile phone repair shops, discount stores, bakeries, flower shops, beauty salons, car washes, and specialty retailers.
Fair work inspectors reviewed time and wage records as well as employee pay slips to ensure that correct wages and entitlements were being paid.
