The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has launched legal action against the former operator of a United Petroleum outlet in Melbourne’s south-east for allegedly underpaying a migrant worker thousands of dollars.
Facing the Federal Circuit and Family Court is Satarupa Patel, a sole trader and former commission agent of the United Petroleum outlet on Princes Highway, Hallam.
The Ombudsman alleges Ms Patel paid an Indian national — who was on a temporary visa at the time — flat rates as low as $15 an hour, well below the lawful minimum rate of $28.38 per hour, and failed to pay overtime, weekend, and public holiday penalties.
According to the FWO, the alleged breaches under the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020 resulted in the worker being underpaid $9,271 between October 2020 and March 2021.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said the severity of the alleged contraventions justified legal proceedings. “We allege the employer here was paying flat hourly rates that were only barely above half the worker’s owed minimum rates for ordinary hours, and about one-third for overtime,” Ms Booth said.
“These levels of underpayment will never be tolerated. Employers should also be aware that taking action to protect migrant workers is an enduring priority for the Fair Work Ombudsman.”
The regulator is seeking penalties of up to $13,320 per contravention, and an order requiring Ms Patel to repay all outstanding wages plus superannuation and interest. A directions hearing is scheduled for 3 December 2025 in Melbourne.
Ms Booth urged all workers, including migrants, to come forward if they believe they are being underpaid. “Migrant workers have the same workplace rights in Australia as any other worker,” she said.
“Protections for their visas exist if they call out any exploitation.”
This case marks the sixth legal action linked to United Petroleum outlets following a nationwide investigation into non-compliance across 20 sites.
To date, the FWO has recovered more than $230,000 in penalties from former United Petroleum operators, including $179,221 in Tasmania earlier this year and $38,500 in South Australia last month.
Between 2017 and 2024, the Fair Work Ombudsman filed 146 litigations involving visa holder workers, securing nearly $23 million in penalties.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
