$450,000 Recovered for Underpaid Brisbane Food Workers

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has recovered $447,339 in unpaid wages for 365 workers in Brisbane’s food sector, alongside issuing fines exceeding $162,000 for pay slip and record-keeping violations.

Surprise inspections of 51 fast-food outlets, restaurants, and cafés—mostly budget-friendly venues in suburbs like Sunnybank, Sunnybank Hills, Macgregor, and Robertson—revealed widespread breaches of workplace laws.

Key Findings:

• 86% non-compliance rate: 44 of the 51 businesses investigated were in breach.
• Common violations:
  • Failure to pay penalty rates (32 businesses).
  • Underpayment of minimum wages (24 businesses).
  • Record-keeping issues (21 businesses).

Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth highlighted the ongoing challenges in the fast-food, restaurant, and café industries:

“Low-cost dining too often comes at the expense of workers’ rightful wages. Employers must follow the law, including paying penalty rates, which recognize work during unsociable hours.”

She emphasized the importance of accurate pay slips and record-keeping:

“These are the foundation of compliance. Employers who neglect them are paying a hefty price, with over $162,000 in fines already issued.”

The FWO recovered almost $80,000 from a single business for 27 underpaid employees, many of whom were visa holders. The underpayments spanned penalties for weekends, public holidays, split shifts, and leave entitlements.

What Employers and Workers Should Know

Employers in the food sector are urged to utilize the FWO’s free tools and resources to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. Workers with concerns about their wages or entitlements are encouraged to report issues, including anonymously.

The FWO remains committed to holding non-compliant businesses accountable and protecting workers across Australia.