From www.aicd.com.au: New Australian wage theft laws, effective January 1, 2025, impose significant penalties on employers and directors for intentional or unintentional underpayment of employees.

The 2023 and 2024 legislative amendments include criminal charges with penalties up to 10 years imprisonment and civil fines in the millions, leading to heightened concerns among businesses about compliance.

Directors are urged to foster a compliance culture, implement clear response plans for underpayment issues, and invest in automated payroll monitoring systems to mitigate risks and enhance operational resilience.