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Wage theft to attract fines of 3x underpayments, plus jail time
Deliberately underpaying workers will be a criminal offence, punishable by fines of up to three times the amount of underpayments, under laws being introduced to Parliament today.
Ahead of introducing the Closing Loopholes Bill, Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke has set out that the legislation will:
introduce a maximum possible penalty of 10 years' imprisonment and maximum fines of up to $7.8 million – or three times the amount that was underpaid if that amount exceeds the maximum fine; not apply to employers that make "honest mistakes"; provide pathways for employers to self-report and take reasonable steps to repay the correct amount. Support will be provided by the Fair Work Ombudsman in educating employers on their responsibilities...
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