Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
12 Feb 2010
Regulator asks young workers - are you missing out?
University students are being urged by the Fair Work Ombudsman to know their
workplace rights to ensure they’re not missing out on money in their pay packet.
Fair Work inspectors will visit students at Queensland University of Technology
and James Cook University as a part of O-Week activities to answer young
workers’ questions and provide information about their workplace rights and
responsibilities.
Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson says that knowledge is the best defence
for young workers against being unwittingly taken advantage of.
“Money can be tight when you’re a student, so it’s important to make sure you’re
not missing out on pay and entitlements. Even one or two dollars less in your
hourly rate of pay can make a difference,” he said.
Mr Wilson says that all students should visit the O-week stalls, especially
international students who are new to Australia and may not know their
workplace rights and obligations.
“Students, especially those who are living in Australia for the first time, can be
vulnerable to exploitation as they are often unaware of their right to minimum
wage conditions, penalty rates and leave entitlements,” Mr Wilson said.
Mr Wilson says young workers need to be aware that they should receive a
payslip, that unpaid work trials are generally against the law and having money
deducted from your wages if the cash register is short or customers have
damaged stock is illegal.
Fair Work Adviser for information and advice,” he said.
The Fair Work Ombudsman will visit 16 universities across Australia during O-
Week to raise awareness among students of their workplace rights.
In Queensland, the Fair Work Ombudsman will be on campus at the following
universities:
22 February – Queensland University of Technology (Gardens Point
campus)
23 February – James Cook University (Cairns campus)
In January last year, more than 1700 young people were back-paid a total of
$634,000 after a national audit campaign by the Ombudsman found they had
been short-changed at work.
For more information students can call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for free
information and advice.
Media inquiries:
Craig Bildstien, 0419 818 484. Ryan Pedler, (03) 9954 2561, 0434 365 924
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