The Fair Work Ombudsman has warned employers against advertising jobs at illegal pay rates.

In 2024-25, the FWO issued 318 infringement notices (fines) to employers advertising jobs with unlawful rates of pay, and employers paid $111,306 in penalties. This was more than double the number of fines of the previous year – in 2023-24, the FWO issued 156 infringement notices for this contravention, which cost employers almost $74,000.

Advertised pay rates must meet the minimum rates required by an industrial instrument such as an award or enterprise agreement, or the National Minimum Wage if no award or agreement applies.

FWO Anna Booth says the workplace regulator is intent on stopping wage underpayments at the earliest possible moment.

“Stamping out job ads that offer dodgy pay rates prevents workers from being underpaid from the get-go and ensures a fair playing field for businesses that are doing the right thing,” she says.

“Employers have the clear obligation to advertise only lawful pay rates, and those doing the wrong thing are being hit with fines.

“Prevention is better than cure, so the FWO has also met with the major job platforms and called on them to increase their efforts to prevent unlawful job ads appearing.”

The fast food, restaurants and cafes sector is a priority for the FWO because it employs a high number of vulnerable workers, including young people and migrants. Improving compliance in the disability support services sector is also a priority, given it commonly employs vulnerable workers, including migrants.