The tide turns on wage theft as Objective partners with new inspectorate

Wage Inspectorate Victoria engaged Objective RegWorks to help enforce regulation of new anti-wage theft legislation.

Wage theft and the underpayment of employee benefits have been in the spotlight in recent years following several high-profile underpayment cases.

In response, the Victorian Government introduced new legislation under the Wage Theft Act 2020, becoming the first state in the country to pass legislation establishing criminal penalties for employers who deliberately underpay or don’t pay their workers. These laws came into force on 1 July 2021, and along with them, the establishment of the Wage Inspectorate Victoria.

New legislation, new powers and a new agency

Wage Inspectorate of Victoria was established as a new statutory authority with powers to investigate and prosecute wage theft offences. As part of its role, it helps businesses understand their obligations and investigates non-compliance, as well as reports from employees. This covers:

  • Giving practical advice, information and support to employees and employers.
  • Conducting targeted information campaigns.
  • Investigating complaints.
  • Carrying out a range of enforcement functions to ensure the laws are being followed.
  • Working with other government agencies to ensure fair employment conditions.

In preparation for 1 July, the Wage Inspectorate went looking for a comprehensive case management system to help carry out a range of enforcement functions.

A specialist platform with built-in flexibility

Following a competitive tender process, Objective RegWorks was selected as the regulatory platform to help deliver the Wage Inspectorate’s long term strategic plan to ensure fair employment conditions.

In supporting the Wage Inspectorate, the Objective RegWorks platform offers:

  • An integrated customer portal for a seamless end-to-end customer experience
  • Ease of configuration with no-code workflows
  • Comprehensive operational reporting to help facilitate better decisions and ensure compliance

Objective RegWorks has been well-received by the Wage Inspectorate team.

"We were previously using a generic platform that didn’t suit our purposes, so using Objective RegWorks has been a huge improvement," said Robert Hortle, Commissioner of Wage Inspectorate Victoria. "The team has really enjoyed using the platform from the outset, something I wasn’t expecting so soon."

Objective RegWorks has been a huge improvement. The team has really enjoyed using the platform from the outset, something I wasn’t expecting so soon.

Robert Hortle

Commissioner of Wage Inspectorate Victoria

True collaboration

After the partnership was made official earlier this year, teams across the Wage Inspectorate and Objective had to work collaboratively and quickly to meet the 1 July 2021 deadline. With the new laws now in operation, the teams will continue to work together as the Wage Inspectorate begins its very important work in tackling wage theft across the state. 

“I take this opportunity to offer my sincere thanks to the Objective team for the dedication, cooperation and responsiveness that have made this possible," commented an ICT Project Manager at Wage Inspectorate Victoria

Making an impact and driving stronger communities

"We’re so pleased to be helping the Wage Inspectorate carry out its vital work in helping tackle the serious issue of wage theft," said Ben Hobby, Global VP of RegTech at Objective. "As the first of its kind in Australia, I’m looking forward to seeing the impact the Wage Inspectorate can make and in supporting them along the journey."

We’re so pleased to be helping the Wage Inspectorate carry out its vital work in helping tackle the serious issue of wage theft.

Ben Hobby

Global VP of RegTech at Objective