The Fair Work Ombudsman has been checking employer records and handing out fines with surprise inspections of about 50 businesses across six cities.
Businesses across sectors that engage vulnerable workers were assessed in Hobart, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Cairns - generally in each city's central business district.
Fair Work Inspectors knocked on the doors of retailers such as mobile phone repair shops, discount stores, independent butcher shops and bakeries, speciality grocery stores, florists, and drycleaners. The regulator has also been targeting hair and beauty salons, beauty supply shops, and car wash businesses.
Businesses were selected for inspections based on contacts to the FWO, such as anonymous reports and enquiries, as well as where previous investigations into the business had been conducted by the FWO.
Inspectors checked time and wage records, and employee pay slips, to ensure that workers were being paid their correct wages and entitlements.
Acting Fair Work Ombudsman Michael Campbell said that the types of businesses targeted often engaged workers who can be vulnerable to exploitation.
"Workplace breaches that involve migrant workers and young workers can be particularly serious. We find these workers are often unaware of their workplace rights or unwilling to speak up if something seems wrong.
"It is crucial visa holders know that they have the same workplace rights as all other workers, and protections for visas exist if they call out workplace exploitation. We urge workers with concerns about wages and entitlements to reach out to us."
Mr Campbell said a lack of records or poorly maintained records often indicated workplace breaches such as underpayments.
"Record-keeping is the bedrock of compliance and must be taken seriously," Mr Campbell said. "Fair Work Inspectors have handed out Infringement Notices - which are similar to on-the-spot fines - when employers were not meeting their legal obligations."
Currently, Infringement Notices can be issued to an employer with a maximum of $1,878 per contravention for an individual and $9,390 per contravention for a body corporate.
"We much prefer that employers get it right in the first place," Mr Campbell said. "Pay slips provide employees with the clarity they need about their pay, and accurate record-keeping makes it easier to keep track of employee details, identify payroll mistakes and keep a business running efficiently.
"Employers should access our free tools and resources to ensure they're meeting their obligations, or contact the FWO directly for free advice."
The regulator issued 760 Infringement Notices nationally in 2023-24, with penalties paid totalling $986,616, an increase from 626 INs in 2022-23 that yielded $739,966.
The on-the-ground inspections, which concluded last Friday, also involved inspectors ensuring workers had been provided the Fair Work Information Statement and Casual Employee Information Statement by their employer, as the law requires.
The FWO's investigations continue after the site visits, and details of the findings including the number of Infringement Notices issued will not be publicised until investigations have concluded.
The FWO offers pay slip and record-keeping templates to help employers get it right. The FWO's Small Business Showcase also has an array of tailored resources for small business employers. The FWO provides an online learning centre for employees and employers, including this course specifically about record-keeping and pay slips. Small businesses can also audit their own compliance with their obligations with this checklist.
Employees can keep track of their hours worked through the Record My Hours app
