{"id":2420,"date":"2025-10-31T15:27:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T02:27:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.workstem.com\/au\/blog\/auto-draft\/"},"modified":"2025-12-03T17:26:50","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T04:26:50","slug":"wage-theft-criminal-offence-2025-what-every-australian-worker-employer-needs-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.workstem.com\/au\/blog\/wage-theft-criminal-offence-2025-what-every-australian-worker-employer-needs-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Wage Theft Criminal Offence 2025: What Every Australian Worker &amp; Employer Needs to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='post-index' id='post-index'><a href='###' id='post-index-close'><i class='fa fa-list'><\/i><\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class='post-index-title'>Table of content<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class='post-index-inner' id='post-index-inner'>\r\n\t\t\t\t<ol class='post-index-list'><li class=\"post-index-item\" data-tt=\"title-idx-0\" ><a href=\"###\"title=\"What is Wage Theft?\">What is Wage Theft?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"post-index-item\" data-tt=\"title-idx-1\" ><a href=\"###\"title=\"New Australian Wage Theft Laws in 2025\">New Australian Wage Theft Laws in 2025<\/a><\/li><li class=\"post-index-item\" data-tt=\"title-idx-2\" ><a href=\"###\"title=\"What Workers Need to Know (Your Rights)\">What Workers Need to Know (Your Rights)<\/a><\/li><li class=\"post-index-item\" data-tt=\"title-idx-3\" ><a href=\"###\"title=\"What Employers Need to Know (Staying on the Right Side of the Law)\">What Employers Need to Know (Staying on the Right Side of the Law)<\/a><\/li><li class=\"post-index-item\" data-tt=\"title-idx-4\" ><a href=\"###\"title=\"How Workstem Simplifies Payroll Compliance\">How Workstem Simplifies Payroll Compliance<\/a><\/li><li class=\"post-index-item\" data-tt=\"title-idx-5\" ><a href=\"###\"title=\"FAQs About Wage Theft in Australia (2025)\">FAQs About Wage Theft in Australia (2025)<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<script>\r\n\t\t\t$(function(){\r\n\t\t\t\tvar contIdxHeight = $('#post-index-inner').height()+20;\r\n\t\t\t\t$('#post-index-inner').css('height',contIdxHeight+'px');\r\n\t\t\t\t$('#post-index-close').on('click',function(){\r\n\t\t\t\t\tif($('#post-index-inner').height()>20) {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t$('#post-index-inner').css('height',0);\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t$('#post-index-inner').css('padding-top',0);\r\n\t\t\t\t\t} else {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t$('#post-index-inner').css('height',contIdxHeight+'px');\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t$('#post-index-inner').css('padding-top','20px');\r\n\t\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t\t\t$('.post-index-item').on('click',function(){\r\n\t\t\t\t\tvar tt=$(this).data('tt');\r\n\t\t\t\t\tscrollPosition(document.getElementById(tt));\r\n\t\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t\t});\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/script><div class='post-content-full'><p>Wage theft, a fancy term for bosses not paying workers what they\u2019re owed has been a hot topic in Australia. After years of scandals (a <span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fairwork.gov.au\/newsroom\/media-releases\/2024-media-releases\/august-2024\/20240806-sushi-bay-penalty-media-release#:~:text=6%20August%202024\">case <\/a><\/span>where a restaurant chain copped a record $15.3 million fine for underpaying 163 workers), the government is cracking down. As of 1 January 2025, deliberately underpaying an employee is now a criminal offence in Australia under new federal law. This change means that dodgy employers who intentionally shortchange staff could face serious penalties even jail time for wage theft. Below, we break down what this means for both workers and employers.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"title-idx-0\" class=\"icon-anchor\">What is Wage Theft?<\/h2>\n<p>Wage theft basically refers to any situation where an employer doesn\u2019t pay the full wages or entitlements that a worker is due. This can take many forms: deliberate underpayment of wages, unpaid overtime or penalty rates, withholding of superannuation, or not paying out leave that an employee has earned. It\u2019s called \u201ctheft\u201d because it\u2019s effectively stealing money that should be in workers\u2019 pockets. In <span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.oir.qld.gov.au\/industrial-relations\/wage-theft#:~:text=Wage%20theft%20is%20a%20criminal,up%20to%2010%20years%20imprisonment\">Queensland<\/a>,<\/span> for example, wage theft has already been a crime for a few years \u2013 employers caught intentionally underpaying staff there can face up to 10 years\u2019 imprisonment. Now the rest of Australia is following suit by criminalising intentional underpayments at the federal level.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"title-idx-1\" class=\"icon-anchor\">New Australian Wage Theft Laws in 2025<\/h2>\n<p>Under Australia\u2019s wage theft laws commencing 2025, it\u2019s a criminal offence for an employer to intentionally underpay an employee\u2019s wages or entitlements. Importantly, honest mistakes aren\u2019t treated as crimes; the law targets deliberate, <span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fairwork.gov.au\/newsroom\/news\/new-criminal-underpayment-laws-have-started#:~:text=What%27s%20changed\">intentional <\/a><\/span>wage underpayments (so if a boss genuinely messes up the math but fixes it, that\u2019s a civil issue, not a crime). However, \u201cI didn\u2019t know\u201d won\u2019t cut it if there\u2019s evidence the underpayment was on purpose or reckless. The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) can now investigate suspected wage theft and refer cases for criminal prosecution, where convicted bosses could face hefty fines, prison time, or both.<\/p>\n<p>Tip for employers: The government has built in some safeguards for those who want to do the right thing. A Voluntary Small Business Wage Compliance Code is in place to protect small businesses from prosecution if they genuinely didn\u2019t mean to underpay and they fix issues proactively (Fair Work Ombudsman). Similarly, any employer can come forward and sign a \u201ccooperation agreement\u201d with the FWO if they discover a serious underpayment \u2013 this basically means you agree to rectify the problem and the FWO agrees not to refer you for criminal charges in relation to that conduct. These measures are designed to encourage employers to self-correct mistakes quickly, rather than cover them up.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"title-idx-2\" class=\"icon-anchor\">What Workers Need to Know (Your Rights)<\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re a worker, you have the right to be paid what you\u2019re owed \u2013 every cent. This includes at least the minimum wage, casual loadings, overtime, penalty rates, allowances, and any other entitlements in your award or agreement. You also must receive a pay slip within one working day of being paid, showing all the details of your pay and any deductions \u2013 it\u2019s the law for employers to provide this (no more \u201cthe dog ate my pay slip\u201d excuses!). Employers are <span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lawhandbook.sa.gov.au\/ch18s09.php#:~:text=Under%20the%20Fair%20Work%20Act,to%20pay%20and%20permitted%20deductions\">required<\/a><\/span> to keep accurate pay records for at least 7 years, so there\u2019s a paper trail if things go wrong. If these basics aren\u2019t happening, it\u2019s a red flag.<\/p>\n<p>Wage theft being a criminal offence means you have stronger protection. If your employer knowingly rips you off, they\u2019re not just breaking some obscure rule \u2013 they\u2019re committing a crime. For you, this hopefully means fewer bosses will change it, and those who do can be held to account in court. You can report wage theft or unpaid wages to the Fair Work Ombudsman (anonymously, if you\u2019re worried about repercussions) \u2013 the FWO can investigate and now even help trigger criminal charges for the worst offenders. And don\u2019t worry about being sacked for speaking up; it\u2019s unlawful for an employer to fire or penalise you for chasing your proper pay or contacting the FWO.<\/p>\n<p>Can you still claim back unpaid wages? Absolutely. Even with criminal laws in play, your ability to reclaim what you\u2019re owed hasn\u2019t changed. In fact, it\u2019s reinforced. You generally have up to 6 years to claim unpaid wages or entitlements that your boss owes you, whether you\u2019re still employed or have left the job. Many cases can be resolved through Fair Work\u2019s processes or small claims court. For instance, the Law Handbook (SA) notes that the South Australian Employment Tribunal and the federal courts can handle underpayment claims \u2013 often in a relatively simple, low-cost way (Law Handbook SA). The bottom line: if you\u2019ve been underpaid, you can get that money back. Don\u2019t let a dodgy boss tell you otherwise.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"title-idx-3\" class=\"icon-anchor\">What Employers Need to Know (Staying on the Right Side of the Law)<\/h2>\n<p>For employers (big or small), the message of these reforms is clear: pay your people what they\u2019re owed, on time, every time. If you intentionally underpay staff in 2025 and beyond, you\u2019re playing with fire \u2013 the stakes now include criminal prosecution, not just an order to back-pay or a slap-on-the-wrist fine. Every business should immediately review their payroll and record-keeping practices. Make sure you\u2019re up to date with the latest award rates and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fairwork.gov.au\/pay-and-wages\/minimum-wages\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">minimum wage<\/span><\/a> (for example, as of July 2025 the national minimum wage is $24.95\/hour for full-timers). Ensure all overtime, penalty rates, super contributions, and leave are being correctly accounted for. Keep proper records and issue pay slips without fail \u2013 Fair Work inspectors won\u2019t be impressed by shoddy paperwork or excuses.<\/p>\n<p>If you discover an underpayment, don\u2019t panic \u2013 fix it fast. The Fair Work Ombudsman\u2019s official guidance for employers who think they\u2019ve underpaid someone is to promptly calculate what\u2019s owed and pay it, then inform the employee and the FWO of the mistake (Fair Work Ombudsman advice). Taking initiative can help show it was an honest error. In contrast, trying to cover it up (for example, falsifying pay records as seen in the Sushi Bay saga) is a recipe for disaster \u2013 it turns a bad situation into a potential criminal case. Remember, the new law distinguishes intentional wage theft from mistakes. So build a culture of compliance: audit your payroll, get HR or a legal expert to double-check tricky award provisions, and educate your managers. If you\u2019re a small business, look into the voluntary compliance code \u2013 following that can shield you from prosecution by proving you\u2019re acting in good faith to pay correctly (Fair Work Ombudsman \u2013 Small Business Code). Simply put, doing the right thing by your workers is not only morally right \u2013 it\u2019s now the only smart legal move.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"title-idx-4\" class=\"icon-anchor\">How Workstem Simplifies Payroll Compliance<\/h2>\n<p>Simplify award interpretation and payroll processing with <span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.workstem.com\/au\/\">Workstem<\/a><\/span>, the all-in-one <span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.workstem.com\/au\/\">workforce management &amp; payroll software<\/a> <\/span>designed for every industry. Our system supports 122+ modern awards &amp; 34 EAs, and keeps you up-to-date with changes in wage rates, penalty rates, and overtime rules.Workstem offers:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Automated award interpretation<\/li>\n<li>Real-time wage calculations and timesheet syncing<\/li>\n<li>Employee self-service app for rosters and payslips<\/li>\n<li>Seamless integrations with <span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.workstem.com\/au\/product\/integrations\/xero\/\">Xero<\/a><\/span>,<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"> <a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.workstem.com\/au\/product\/integrations\/netsuite\/\">NetSuite<\/a><\/span>, and more<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Choose from our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.workstem.com\/au\/pricing\/\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Standard or Advanced plan<\/span><\/a> to suit your business needs, and stay Fair Work compliant with confidence.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.workstem.com\/au\/contact\/\">Book a free demo<\/a><\/span> with our payroll experts and experience how Workstem can streamline your payroll and workforce operations.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"title-idx-5\" class=\"icon-anchor\">FAQs About Wage Theft in Australia (2025)<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Q1: Is wage theft a crime in Australia now?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A1: Yes. From 1 Jan 2025, intentional underpayment is a criminal offence. Genuine mistakes that are fixed aren\u2019t criminal.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q2: Can I claim unpaid wages in Australia?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A2: Yes\u2014generally up to 6 years. Start with your employer; if unresolved, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman or use small claims. This applies even if you\u2019ve left or were sacked.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q3: What are the penalties for wage theft?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A3: Individuals: up to 10 years\u2019 jail and $1.65m or 3\u00d7 the underpayment (whichever\u2019s higher). Companies: up to $8.25m or 3\u00d7. Civil fines still apply for non-criminal underpayments.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q4: How do I report wage theft or get help?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A4: Report to the FWO (online\/phone; can be anonymous). Unions and community legal centres can assist. Visa holders have the same rights.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q5: Does the new law apply to small businesses?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A5: Yes. The criminal offence covers all employers. Small businesses can use the voluntary compliance code to avoid criminal referral if they fix problems quickly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q6: What records should I keep as an employee?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A6: Pay slips, timesheets\/rosters, bank statements, contracts, messages about hours and rates.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q7: Does superannuation underpayment count as wage theft?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A7: Intentional non-payment of required super can be part of wage theft and other breaches.<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of content What is Wage Theft?New Australian Wage Theft Laws in 2025What Workers Need to Know (Your Rights)What Employers Need to Know (Staying on the Right Side of the Law)How Workstem Simplifies Payroll ComplianceFAQs About Wage Theft in Australia (2025) Wage theft, a fancy term for bosses not paying workers what they\u2019re owed has&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":2789,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[46,42],"class_list":["post-2420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-payroll","tag-popular"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Wage Theft Criminal Offence 2025: What Every Australian Worker &amp; Employer Needs to Know - Workstem Australia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From January 2025, wage theft becomes a criminal offence in Australia. 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