A joint operation by the ATO, Fair Work and Department of Home Affairs has wrapped in Gatton.
Operation Topaz was a compliance blitz of the agriculture and labour hire industries in the region.
50 taxpayers were audited by the ATO- leading to more than $25 million dollars raised.
ATO Assistant Commissioner Tony Goding noted the majority of taxpayers visited were compliant and required no action from the ATO.
“It’s great to see that, in relation to tax laws, most of the agriculture and labour hire businesses in the region are doing the right thing and supporting fair practices,” Mr Goding said.
“But it’s clear that there are some bad apples who were trying to cheat the system by ripping off workers and the community,” he said.
“The Fair Work Ombudsman’s investigations have led to back-payments for 67 workers in the Gatton region. While we welcome the recoveries, we expect labour hire employers to do better in the first place,” Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said.
Fair Work investigated 12 employers (both labour hire contractors and farmers), with 9 found to be non-compliant with workplace laws.
Home Affairs immigration compliance officers from Australian Border Force conducted more than 420 immigration status checks.
ABF Commander John Taylor said most businesses and individuals looked at by ABF were compliant and doing the right thing, although a number of checks led to various referrals to partner agencies for further scrutiny.
“Migrant workers play a key part in the economy, particularly in remote and regional communities. There is no place in Australia for employers who exploit them,” Commander Taylor said.
