How to Report Underpayment

If you've found out you've been underpaid, acting on it can feel overwhelming — especially if you're worried about your job. But you have strong legal protections, a clear process to follow, and a government agency whose entire job is recovering money on your behalf. This guide walks through every step.

If you've identified a pay shortfall and want to know what to do — start here.

Step 1: Document everything first

Before raising anything with your employer, gather what you can:

• Payslips — as many as possible, as far back as possible
• Roster records — anything showing days and hours worked
• Bank statements — show payment dates and amounts if payslips are missing
• Employment contract or letter of engagement
• Any written communications about pay, hours, or classification

You don't need everything to make a complaint — but more evidence means a stronger case.

Step 2: Raise it with your employer

This is usually the right first step. Many underpayments aren't intentional. A direct, professional conversation often resolves it quickly.

How to approach it:

• State the issue factually: “I've checked the award and I believe my Sunday rate has been applied incorrectly.”
• Refer to the award and pay guide by name and clause
• Give them a week to respond — and follow up in writing

If they acknowledge the error and fix it, you're done. If they dispute, deny, or become hostile — move to Step 3.

Step 3: Lodge a complaint with the Fair Work Ombudsman

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) is the government body responsible for investigating workplace underpayment. Their service is free.

How to lodge:

• Online: fairwork.gov.au/contact-us
• Phone: 13 13 94 (Monday to Friday, 8am–5:30pm)

What to include:

• Your name and employer details
• The award you believe applies
• The nature and dates of the underpayment
• Any evidence gathered

What the FWO can do:

• Investigate your employer's records
• Issue compliance notices
• Recover unpaid wages and interest going back 6 years
• Refer serious cases for prosecution

If you've identified a shortfall but haven't calculated the exact amount, do that first. A specific number makes your complaint much stronger.

Step 4: Know your protections

You cannot be legally dismissed, demoted, or disadvantaged for making a Fair Work complaint. This is called the “general protections” provision. If your employer takes adverse action because you raised a pay complaint, that is a separate and serious legal breach — and you can make a further complaint about it.

Frequently asked questions

Find your award

These rules apply across all modern awards — but the specific rates, penalty multipliers, and allowances vary by industry. If you're ready to check your actual pay:

• Hospitality (hotels, bars, cafés, clubs) → Hospitality Award pay rates
• Fast food and takeaway → Fast Food Award pay rates
• Restaurants and cafés → Restaurant Award pay rates
• Retail (shops, supermarkets) → Retail Award pay rates
• Admin and clerical → Clerks Award pay rates
• Cleaning → Cleaning Award pay rates

Not sure which applies to you? Browse all awards

Don't wait — underpayment compounds.

Check what you're owed first. A specific number makes your complaint much stronger.