Victoria passes wage theft legislation with 10 year penalties now in play

Victoria now has Australia’s toughest wage theft sentences in the country following the passing of legislation earlier this week which will see those convicted of deliberately withholding wages, underpaying superannuation or not paying out full entitlements facing up to ten years in prison. 

The laws are of note to those employed in, and responsible for employing those in early childhood education and care (ECEC) with some prominent recent cases in which ECEC employers were found to have not paid wages, or to have underpaid employees. 

Speaking about the legislative changes, Susie Allison, United Workers Union Victorian spokesperson said Union members have been proactive in this space, calling for tougher laws. She congratulated the Victorian Government for enacting the reform. 

“Wage theft is more than a cost to the economy, it is about a fundamental threat to Australia’s social contract, and it is a driver of social inequality. The Victorian laws take action on this, holding those who are responsible to account” Ms Allison said, saying it was time to restore the notion of a ‘fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work’.

Further information about the legislation is available here.