Fair Work recovers record $453 million in unpaid wages
The Fair Work Ombudsman recovered $453 million for more than 181,000 workers in 2025-26. Anonymous tip-offs rose 23 percent to 31,596.
The Fair Work Ombudsman recovered $453 million in unpaid wages last financial year, up 27 percent from the year before. The regulator got 31,596 anonymous tip-offs about suspected workplace breaches, up 23 percent from the year before.
Fast food outlets, restaurants and cafes remained the main focus of enforcement. The regulator recovered more than $5.6 million for 3,538 workers and started 16 legal cases in the sector.
Construction saw the regulator recover more than $6.8 million for 932 workers and start 14 legal cases. Across all industries, the regulator started 60 legal cases, secured $2.3 million in court-ordered penalties, and issued 1,392 compliance notices.
Anonymous reports help identify new issues, detect patterns, and target enforcement where it is most needed.
- $453 million
- Unpaid wages recovered
- 181,000+
- Workers affected
- 31,596
- Anonymous tip-offs
- 60
- Legal cases started
Why it mattersThis shows a record level of anonymous reports to the workplace regulator. However, the increase does not necessarily mean more employers are breaking the law.
AustraliaSignals Australian workers are recovering millions in stolen wages; puts pressure on small businesses to review compliance, especially in hospitality and construction.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
