The review was conducted into the 'small business employer' definition in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) to determine if it remains fit for purpose and if not, to provide recommendations on how it could be improved. The review outlines key issues and stakeholder perspectives regarding the definition. Views diverged on whether the current definition...

Describing a recent investigation of 49 fast food, café and restaurant businesses in Melbourne’s Degraves Street and Hardware Lane and Brisbane’s West End, this report outlines the recovery of $1,212,727 in unpaid wages to potentially vulnerable young workers such as university students.

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) conducts audits of small businesses to support them to meet their obligations in relation to award wages and other aspects of labour law. This evaluation was designed to test the impact of behaviourally informed variations to FWO’s audits. The different audit processes were evaluated using a randomised controlled trial.

In June 2014 the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) commenced an Inquiry into allegations that significant underpayment of wages and falsification of employment records were occurring across much of the franchisee network of Australia’s leading convenience retailer, 7-Eleven Australia Pty Ltd (7-Eleven) [ACN 005 299 427]. The Inquiry sought to test these allegations through coordinated site...

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) conducted an audit program in the horse racing industry in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. We initiated the NSW/QLD/VIC Horse racing industry audit program (the program) in response to information we received alleging underpayments of strappers and stable hands in the horse racing industry. Our complaint data for the...