Wage theft criminalised in Queensland

In brief - wage theft is topical in the media this year and appears to be high on the Fair Work Ombudsman's target list

Large companies (such as Woolworths, Coles, and Target) and high profile businesses (including Melbourne restaurateurs) have joined the growing list of employers who have been caught in underpayment scandals.

Victoria and the ACT already have wage theft legislation in place, and there is currently legislation before the Western Australian parliament to this effect. 

On the 15 July 2020, the Queensland Labor Government followed suit and introduced legislation to criminalise wage theft. We discuss this proposed legislation and the effect on employers below.