Regulator sees 27% increase in recoveries as it doubled proactive investigations
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) recovered $453 million in unpaid wages and entitlements for more than 181,000 workers in 2025-26, after nearly doubling proactive investigations in priority sectors.
Data released by the national regulator on Monday showed a 27% increase, or about $95 million, in recovered wages and entitlements from the previous year.
This year's recoveries also bring the cumulative back-payments to almost $2.5 billion over the last six financial years.
The growth in recovered wages and entitlements comes as the FWO almost doubled its proactive investigations to more than 2,860 in 2025-26, leading to recoveries worth over $45 million for 13,803 workers.
"Our proactive investigations are conducted primarily in priority sectors where planned field work and campaigns and inquiries are designed to uncover drivers of non-compliance to help deliver sustained change," said Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth in a statement.
The building and construction sector, a priority area for the FWO, had recoveries reaching more than $6.8 million for 932 workers, with nearly 3,000 matters completed and 14 litigations commenced.
Another priority area is the disability support services, where the FWO said it recovered nearly $24 million for 10,546 workers, as it completed more than 1,000 disputes.
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