The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has recovered $43,204 in unpaid wages audited as a part of an investigation into National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) service providers, which will impact 322 disability services workers.

Of the 27 businesses, 13 employers across New South Wales and Victoria were found to be non-compliant with workplace laws.

This included businesses operating in Western Sydney, New South Wales’s Central Coast and Mid-North Coast, and Inner-East Melbourne between September 2019 and July 2020.

Common breaches related to the underpayment of disability support employees in concern to the minimum wage, weekend penalty rates and travel allowances. Other businesses did not meet pay slip and record-keeping obligations.

Fair Work Inspectors assessed employment records against the Fair Work Act 2009, Fair Work Regulations 2009, the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award 2010, Supported Employment Services Award and relevant enterprise agreements.

Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker said that inspectors targeted locations where NDIS provider numbers had swelled.

“The FWO was concerned about the potential for non-compliance with workplace laws among NDIS service providers because of the sector’s rapid growth, with increased competition from new, relatively inexperienced employers,” she said.

“The Fair Work Ombudsman’s investigation should serve as a reminder to new employers and those in expanding industries about the importance of prioritising compliance with workplace laws.”

Culpable businesses have been put on notice that any future breaches may lead to higher-level enforcement action.

Photo: Wheelchair by Niklas Morberg available HERE and used under a Creative Commons Attribution. The image has not been modified