Fair Work Ombudsman Releases Figures for Amounts Recovered for Underpaid Employees

Tuesday 25 October 2011 @ 3.17 p.m. | Industrial Law

The Fair Work Ombudsman has released figures for the amounts recovered for underpaid employees in Australia last financial year (2010/11).

  In total the amount recouped Nationally was $26.7 million for 17,360 underpaid employees in the 2010/11 financial year   Broken down by the States

  • NSW -  a total of $8.215 million back-pay for 4182 workers.
    Out of the 6351 complaints in NSW, 29% were resolved voluntarily by employer without a formal investigation.
     

  • Victoria - a total of $7.573 million back-pay for 3556 workers.
    The 6103 complaints finalised in Victoria resulted in 47% being resolved voluntarily by employers without a formal investigation.
     

  • Queensland - a total of $6.082 million back-pay for 5142 workers.
    There were 5682 complaints finalised in Queensland, 30% being resolved voluntarily by the employer without the need for a formal investigation.
     

  • Western Australia - a total of $1.788 million back-pay for 1480.
    Out of the 1825 complaints finalised in WA, 435were resolved voluntarily by employers without need for a formal investigation.
     

  • South Australia - a total of $1.579 million back-pay for 1048 workers.
    1525 complaints were finalised in SA, 33% of which were resolved voluntarily by the employer without the need for a formal investigation.
     

  • Northern Territory - a total of $273,382 back-pay for 542 workers.
    There were 233 complaints finalised in the Territory, 51% being resolved voluntarily by employers without the need for a formal investigation.
     

  • Tasmanian - a total of $858,767 back-pay for 1186 workers.
    Out of the 492 complaints finalised in Tasmania, 48% were resolved voluntarily by the employer without the need for a formal investigation.
     

  • ACT - a total of $384,857 back-pay for 224 workers.
    There were 312 complaints finalised in the ACT, 44% were resolved voluntarily by the employer without the need for a formal investigation.

The Fair Work Ombudsman (Nicholas Wilson) is keen to build on this success where about two-thirds of matters are settled for amounts of less than $2000 and about three-quarters for amounts less than $3000. In September, the Fair Work Ombudsman launched PayCheck Plus, a new Online tool to assist employers keep up-to-date with their obligations. PayCheck Plus calculates minimum rates of pay per hour, per shift or per week and takes account of payments for overtime, penalty rates and allowances.    Source: Fair Work Ombudsman's Website   Related Links

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