The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured a $15,000 penalty in court against the operator of a radiology clinic on the Gold Coast, in Queensland.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court has imposed the penalty against Queensland Xray Group Pty Ltd, which operates the radiology clinic trading as Uniradiology at Southport.
The penalty was imposed in response to Queensland Xray Group failing to comply with a Compliance Notice requiring the back-payment of entitlements to a Zimbabwean worker who had been employed as a radiographer at the clinic.
The company back-paid the worker the $1551.41 in entitlements that were owing only after the Fair Work Ombudsman commenced legal proceedings.
Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said business operators that fail to act on Compliance Notices need to be aware they can face court-imposed penalties on top of having to back-pay workers.
“When Compliance Notices are not followed, we are prepared to take legal action to ensure workers receive their lawful entitlements,” Ms Parker said.
“Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance.”
The FWO commenced an investigation after receiving a request for assistance from the affected worker, who was in Australia on a 482 temporary skills shortage visa when she was employed at the Uniradiology clinic for several months, before her employment concluded in 2020.
A Fair Work Inspector issued a Compliance Notice to Queensland Xray Group in December 2020 after forming a belief the worker was not paid her full accrued but untaken annual leave entitlements at the conclusion of her employment.
