Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
2 Sept 2009
Two-thirds of WA wine businesses pass random
wine industry audits
Two-thirds of wine industry businesses in Western Australia’s South-West and Great
Southern regions have passed random audits by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Fair Work inspectors checked the books of 27 businesses - including wineries, vineyards and
vineyard contractors – before last harvest.
Three of the businesses were in the Great Southern region, 23 were in the Margaret River
region and one was elsewhere in the South-West.
Inspectors found 18 businesses to be compliant with federal workplace laws.
Six Margaret River businesses and one Great Southern business recorded breaches relating
to the issuing of payslips and time-and-wages records.
Two Great Southern businesses were found to have underpaid 11 employees working as
wine bottlers and grape pickers/vineyard maintainers a total of $4396.
Inspectors assisted businesses with breaches to bring their payslip and record-keeping
practices into line with workplace laws and recovered the money owed to underpaid workers.
Fair Work Ombudsman WA Director Leigh Quealy says the campaign was conducted in
response to worker complaints and information from industry associations that suggested
employers in the Great Southern and South West wine regions did not properly understand
their obligations under the Wine Industry Award (WA) 2005.
“The focus of the campaign was to educate employers about their obligations,” Mr Quealy
said today.
“It was encouraging that all of businesses we found to be in breach were receptive to the
education and assistance provided by inspectors to help them voluntarily rectify their issues.”
The Fair Work Ombudsman promotes co-operative, harmonious and productive Australian
workplaces.
Mr Quealy says the Fair Work Ombudsman can help workers and employers to understand
recent changes to Australia’s workplace relations laws, including agreement making
provisions, transfer of business rules and workplace rights’ actions.
Employers or employees seeking assistance should contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13
Media inquiries:
Craig Bildstien, Director, Media & Stakeholder Relations. 0419 818 484.
craig.bildstien@fwo.gov.au
Ryan Pedler, Senior Adviser Media & Stakeholder Relations. (03) 9954 2561,
0434 365 924. ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au
NEWS 
