The Fair Work Ombudsman has exposed wage theft amounting to almost $400,000 committed by 48 fast food outlets, restaurants and cafes operating in Darwin and Palmerston, as a result of a Fair Work investigation that commenced in September 2021.

FWO inspectors picked out 48 businesses across 22 suburbs, including Darwin City, Casuarina and Palmerston City.

After final investigations, the FWO found out that 34 – or 76 per cent – of the 45 businesses had breached workplace laws, and recovered $393,453 for 479 employees. The regulator said these businesses failed to meet workplace laws, including underpaying workers, not paying overtime, or recording requirements.

Businesses deemed “high risk” or those that have histories of breaching workplace laws, those employing vulnerable visa holders, and those that were the subjects of anonymous tip-offs were targeted for the surprise check.

Of the 34 businesses found to have breached FWO guidelines, two-thirds were found employing workers having vulnerable visas, 31 had underpaid their workers, and 10 failed to meet pay slip and record-keeping requirements.

Three businesses are still being investigated, the FWO said.

The regulator said the most common offences included failure to pay penalty rates or casual loading, with 28 businesses found to have been in breach; 13 businesses were found to have engaged in underpayment of the minimum hourly pay rate; and another 13 failed to pay correct overtime allowances.

The regulator’s report showed that the largest recovery amounted to $94,687 from one business for 15 casual and part-time employees who had been underpaid minimum wages and weekend penalties. There were also 10 Infringement Notices issued for pay slips and record-keeping breaches, resulting in $12,792 in fines paid.

Businesses with non-compliant records were warned that any future breaches of the FWO guidelines will lead to higher-level enforcement action.

Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said the audits were part of a national program to target food precincts in major cities across the country.

“We will continue to prioritise improving compliance in this sector and protecting vulnerable workers such as visa holders and students who are over-represented,” Ms Parker said.

“Employers can use our free tools and resources if they need assistance meeting their obligations. Workers with concerns about their pay or entitlement should come forward for help.”