Industrial inspectors at the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety conducted a proactive compliance campaign in the northern suburbs of Perth from late 2024 to February 2026.
Inspectors visited 13 restaurant and café businesses to ensure employees were receiving their correct entitlements and business owners were complying with their record keeping obligations.
Nine businesses were found to have underpaid employees and nine had record keeping contraventions.
After the last inspections were finalised in February 2026, inspectors found that 60% of employees were underpaid. An average of just under $1,300 was recovered for each underpaid employee.
Employers should ensure they understand their record keeping obligations and employees are receiving the correct pay rate for their role under the relevant WA award.
Print this page
