Sydney Finance and Mortgage-Broking Company Fined for Underpaying Workers
                     Sydney Finance and 
Mortgage-Broking 
Company Fined for 
Underpaying 
Workers
A finance and mortgage-broking company in Sydney, 
First Step Finance Pty Ltd, has been hit with $117,190 in 
penalties after failing to pay three workers their 
entitlements and knowingly providing false or 
misleading pay slips.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court fined the company 
$97,710, with an additional $19,480 penalty for the 
company’s sole director, David Brian Ward, for their 
breaches of the Fair Work Act.
Despite multiple Compliance Notices from the Fair 
Work Ombudsman (FWO), the company did not back-
pay the affected workers, who were employed in 
management roles, and issued misleading pay slips.
The FWO, after investigating worker complaints, took 
the company to court. The judge emphasized that 
penalties are necessary to deter future violations by the 
company and others.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth warned that 
businesses failing to comply with Compliance Notices 
will face serious legal consequences, in addition to 
repaying any outstanding entitlements.
If you have concerns about your pay, reach out to the 
FWO for free advice and assistance.
https://www.ikeep.com.au/