The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal actions against the former operators of three Cash Converter stores in Melbourne.
Facing court are SNNB Enterprises Pty Ltd, Taylors Business Pty Ltd and Yarraville Business Pty Ltd, who operated Cash Converters stores at Epping, Taylors Lake and Yarraville, respectively.
Also facing court is the sole director of the three companies, Graeme Grainger.
It is the second time the Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against Yarraville Business Pty Ltd. The company was penalised $16,000 in court in 2024.
The new litigations filed relate to Fair Work Inspectors issuing the companies with Compliance Notices between November 2022 and February 2023 after forming a belief they had underpaid a total of seven full-time workers they had engaged as store managers, retail employees and shop assistants.
The inspectors formed a belief the companies had failed to pay the workers' accrued but untaken annual leave entitlements at the end of their employment, and had underpaid five of the workers' minimum wages for work performed during 2022.
The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges the companies, without a reasonable excuse, failed to comply with the Compliance Notices, which required them to calculate and back-pay the workers' entitlements. It is alleged that Mr Grainger was involved in the contraventions.
It is alleged that the total amount the companies were required to pay to comply with the Compliance Notices was $58,605, with required payments to individual workers ranging from $2,972 to $16,833.
The annual leave entitlements were owed under the Fair Work Act's National Employment Standards, and minimum wages under the General Retail Industry Award 2020.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said the regulator would continue to enforce workplace laws and take businesses to court where lawful requests are 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.
"The alleged amount the companies were required to pay to comply with the Compliance Notices is significant."
"Any employees with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance."
The Fair Work Ombudsman is seeking penalties in court for the alleged failure to comply with the Compliance Notices.
Yarraville Business Pty Ltd faces a penalty up to $33,300 for failing to comply with one Notice, Taylors Business Pty Ltd faces a penalty of up to $41,250 for failing to comply with one Notice, and SNNB Enterprises Pty Ltd faces penalties of up to $41,250 per contravention for failing to comply with two Notices.
Mr Grainger faces penalties of up to $6,660 for his involvement in Yarraville Business Pty Ltd's contravention and up to $8,250 per contravention for his alleged involvement in failing to comply with the four Notices issued to SNNB Enterprises Pty Ltd and Taylors Lakes Pty Ltd.
The regulator is also seeking a court order requiring the companies to comply with the Compliance Notices, including rectifying any outstanding entitlements, plus interest and superannuation.
The three stores have closed.
Directions hearings are listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Melbourne on 10 July 2025.
