The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against the former owner-operator of a joinery and cabinet-making company that was based in Western Sydney.
Facing court is Blake Bray, who was the sole director and owner of Minchinbury-based Terra Nova Interiors Pty Ltd, before the company went into liquidation.
The regulator investigated after receiving requests for assistance from two workers Terra Nova Interiors employed on a full-time basis between October 2022 and May 2023. One of the workers was 16 at the time.
Fair Work Inspectors issued Compliance Notices to Terra Nova Interiors in June and August, 2023, after forming a belief the company underpaid both workers' minimum wages and annual leave entitlements, as well as the young worker's overtime rates.
The entitlements were allegedly owed under the Clerks - Private Sector Award 2020, Joinery and Building Trades Award 2020, and the Fair Work Act's National Employment Standards.
The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges Mr Bray was involved in his company's failures, without a reasonable excuse, to comply with the Compliance Notices, which required the company to calculate and back-pay the workers' entitlements.
It is alleged the total amount the company was required to pay to comply with the Compliance Notices was $9,576.
The FWO also alleges Mr Bray was involved in his company breaching the Fair Work Act by failing to issue one of the workers with pay slips.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said the regulator would continue to enforce workplace laws and take businesses to court where lawful requests were not complied with.
"Where employers do not comply, we will take appropriate action to protect employees. A court can order a business to pay penalties and make payments to workers," Ms Booth said.
"Employers should also be aware that the FWO is taking action to protect young workers, who may be vulnerable, and that improving compliance in the building and construction sector is a priority for us."
Ms Booth said the FWO expected every employer to follow laws requiring them to provide pay slips to their employees within one business day of them being paid.
"All employers have a responsibility to ensure they pay their staff all lawful entitlements and issue them with pay slips - which are essential to workers understanding if they have been paid correctly," Ms Booth said.
"Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance."
The FWO is seeking penalties in court. For the alleged failure to comply with the two Compliance Notices, Mr Bray faces penalties of up to $9,390 per breach. For the alleged pay slip breach Mr Bray faces a penalty of up to $16,500.
The Fair Work Ombudsman will seek an order for part of the penalties sought to go to the two affected workers to rectify the alleged underpayments, which remain outstanding.
A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Sydney on 16 March 2026.
The Fair Work Ombudsman recovered nearly $16.5 million in unpaid entitlements for employees across the entire building and construction sector between 10 November 2022 and 30 June 2025. (The FWO resumed responsibility for regulating Fair Work Act compliance in the commercial building and construction sector on 10 November 2022.)
