Breaks forbidden, food instead of pay: one third of young Australian workers exploited by employers, study shows
Young people are seen as especially vulnerable to wage theft due to inexperience in the workplace and a lack of awareness of their rights. They are also more likely to be employed in insecure roles than experienced workers, raising fears of retaliation.
Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email
The Melbourne Law School's survey of 2,814 workers aged under 30 found that one-third were paid $15 an hour or less, far less than the minimum wage of $24.95, while one-in-four workers reported not being paid superannuation.
The exploitation extended beyond underpayments, with more than one-third not paid for work conducted during a trial period, and almost 10% given food or products in lieu of pay.
The study's lead, Prof John Howe from the University of Melbourne, said wage exploitation was 'rife' among employers.
'Young people don't have much industrial knowledge or experience, so are easy to take advantage of,' said Howe.
'They are also unlikely to challenge an employer, as many of them are in insecure work and they worry about losing their jobs.'
While the official unemployment rate is 4.1%, the youth unemployment rate is 9.2%, increasing the pressure on younger people to keep their jobs.
The report notes that the burden falls on young people to report exploitation, when there should be more resourcing for proactive detection by regulators. Underpayment disproportionately affects those on lower wages, overseas students, migrant workers and women.
Survey respondents also reported numerous instances of being compelled to pay for work-related items, including training and uniforms. The Fair Work Act prohibits employers from 'unreasonable' requirements to purchase goods and services related to work.
The report notes that young workers are the 'most likely to acquiesce to employer demands and the least able to accommodate additional expenses relating to their work'.
Yolanda Robson, the director of the Victorian-based Young Workers Centre, said the report's findings were 'damning but not surprising', and that high living costs were exacerbating the problem.
Sign up to Breaking News Australia
Get the most important news as it breaks
after newsletter promotion
'I can hardly imagine, in today's world, having to pay out-of-pocket to show up ready for work with a uniform, given the cost-of-living pressures we're experiencing now,' Robson said.
'Young people are at the sharp edge of exploitation.'
The centre, which offers free legal representation to young workers, routinely advises apprentices with bosses who have skipped out on paying their tuition and other fees.
While employers are usually required to pay Tafe costs for apprentices, the student often bears the consequences, according to Robson, which can include being chased for debts.
Robson said until there is system reform, policymakers should adopt a strategy of educating young people on their rights, and funding regulators to be more proactive in their pursuit of bad employers.
Have you experienced financial exploitation at work? Contact jonathan.barrett@theguardian.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
34 minutes ago
- BBC News
Buntingford memorial unveiled to 'valiant' police dog Finn
A bronze statue has been unveiled to honour the memory of a police dog who saved his handler's shepherd Finn suffered near-fatal injuries in 2016 when he confronted an armed suspect in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, while protecting his handler, PC Dave Wardell - now retired - was stabbed, but maintained that without Police Dog Finn's intervention, he could have been more seriously wounded.A Thin Blue Paw Foundation fundraising campaign raised £40,000 in 72 hours to pay for his statue. It was unveiled in Buntingford, Hertfordshire, on Sunday. "It was incredibly humbling when I found out that the foundation wanted to create a memorial in his honour and I was absolutely staggered by the response that the fundraiser had from the public," said Mr Wardell. "It goes to show how many people were touched by Finn's story."When his attacker was only charged with criminal damage, Mr Wardell campaigned for Finn's Law, calling for legal protection for service legislation was passed in 2019, as the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) BillFinn recovered from his injuries and continued working briefly, before he retired. He died in 2023 at the age of 14 and the memorial was unveiled on the second anniversary of his death. Thin Blue Paw chairman Kieran Stanbridge said Finn captured "the hearts of the nation".The charity rehabilitates, protects and celebrates both serving and retired police police dogs do not receive financial support from the force they served with meaning their ex-handler or new owner has responsibility for their care and vet bills. "Finn was one of the most decorated police dogs in our history and not only served his community valiantly and loyally during his career, but put his life on the line to save Dave during a violent and dangerous incident," Mr Stanbridge said. "We felt he needed to be remembered and honoured appropriately and we're proud to have raised the funds to pay for this beautiful memorial in his memory. "We also hope it will become a place of reflection and dedication for all police dogs, both past and present."The 80kg (176lb) sculpture of Finn was created by specialist animal sculptor Suzie Marsh and took 11 months to create. "I was delighted and honoured to be chosen for this project and feel the result is a fitting memorial to a well-loved, brave and special dog," she said. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Real estate agent turns on his industry to blast 'fake' tactics being used to fool buyers and drive up prices
A real estate agent has hit out at the 'fake' tactics used by some industry colleagues, which has led to Aussies having a less than flattering perception of the sector. Jordan Bulmer, 30, is a sales agent at McGrath in Terrigal, on the NSW Central Coast, and he's set on exposing some of the hated tactics used by his colleagues. First and foremost, the agent took to TikTok to address the 'fake offer' strategy. He blasted the trick as being increasingly used by some in the industry to drive up the price of a property. Mr Bulmer said he's 'not into this' as he hit out at those who use this tactic. 'The minute a person makes an offer there is suddenly another offer on the table, I don't know why agents do this,' he said. 'If someone comes to me and says, 'Has there been an offer on the property?' and there hasn't, I say, 'No, there hasn't'. I haven't found the right person, there doesn't have to be an offer on every property.' Mr Bulmer said he would then discuss with his client the options if they were interested in buying the property. He stated he would want to find a price where 'everybody's happy' and warned other agents against 'fake offers'. The agent was flooded with comments from Aussies who have subjected to this underhand tactic. One commented: 'We had an agent try that scam so we told the particular agent great sell it to them. 'Then for the next couple of days they kept calling saying come on let's make the sale. We them blocked their number.' 'I had this,' another agreed. 'I made an offer. Was told there was a better offer. Kept being 'Outbid'. That was the first time I got scammed by an agent. 'Funnily enough, after about a week after I realised what was going on and pulled out. I got a call asking if I was still interested at my last offer amount. Nope.' Someone else wrote: 'I put an offer in the agent said there are two other buyers so I kept upping the offer and they kept pushing till I said I'm out. 'They ring back the next day saying the other buyers have dropped out so do you want the property. Yeah nah I'll pass thanks.' Mr Bulmer said there's 'no need' for agents to use 'fake' tactics when selling a property. 'I don't understand why some agents do some of the things that frustrate the living daylights out of people. I just don't get it,' he told 'Like as if real estate agents, after all this time, can't tell that people know that they're playing games. It blows my mind sometimes. 'I find that just such a silly thing to do, but it seems to happen so much.' Mr Bulmer said he's trying show his clients they can trust him by being transparent and hopes to proof that not all real estate agents use underhand tactics to make a sale. Fellow real estate agent and auctioneer Tom Panos agreed that fake tactics are unnecessary and only serve to damage perceptions of the industry. He pointed out the tactic of 'catfish homes' in which real estate agents post edited images of properties on their website listings to make them look better than they do in person. 'A real estate agent has an ethical responsibility to get the best price for the vendor (seller) who is their client and pays them. So it really is buyer beware,' he said. Another tactic he said was to door-knock a street where there is an auction set to take place and invite the neighbours to stop by on auction day, thus building an illusion that the property is more hotly contested. Similarly, when buyers register to bid on auction day they might give them bidding numbers that are higher than the actual bidders. 'So instead of one, two, three they might say 10, 11, 12,' he said. He encouraged buyers to undertake their own research before agreeing to purchase a property by looking at comparable prices on property sites like Corelogic and consulting with building inspectors who can check for defects. 'People often more research planning a holiday or buying a car than they do buying a property.'
Daily Mail
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Do you own the vehicle that's currently most targeted by thieves? Spoiler alert: it's not a Range Rover
Car thieves are targeting a specific model at the moment - and it isn't Range Rovers. A new study has revealed that despite a 4.5 per cent decline in motor thefts recorded last year, there's been an increase in newer vehicles being pinched. The report raises yet more concerns about well-funded theft rings utilising new tech to breach security systems of the latest models - the ones you would assume are best protected against car crime. It says stolen motor records held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) show a 6.6 per cent jump in thefts of vehicles less than three years old between 2023 and 2024 - and there's one particular motor that's very much in the sights of organised gangs. Toyota Hilux owners have been put on high alert to take as many security precautions as possible after the theft statistics showed a 549 per cent spike in examples up to three years old being stolen. Some 584 of the pick-ups were reported stolen last year, the DLVA's database shows. Local police forces have been reacting to the increase in reported Hilux thefts over recent months, urging owners - particularly farmers - to invest in vehicle trackers, steering wheel locks and additional CCTV coverage. While the report is more bad news for the Japanese manufacturer - whose sister brand Lexus has been already named the most targeted mainstream car brand by thieves in 2024 - it will be welcomed by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), which received praise for its efforts to reduce instances of thefts having invested millions upgrading its vehicle security systems in the last 18 months. The Hilux is widely recognised as one of the most reliable motors on the planet. The workhorse pick-up truck was made famous in the 2003 Top Gear series when an older example proved indestructible, even surviving tumbling from the top of a demolished block of flats. But while the Hilux might have earned a durable reputation, the security systems in the latest generation car (launched in 2016) are far from impenetrable, according to the data. And there is massive demand for the hard-wearing Toyota in regions where most UK stolen vehicles end up being shipped to. The 4X4 is considered a prized asset particularly in Africa, where its reputation for dependability has made it hugely sought after but also prices inflated due to the high demand for both new and used models. A report published earlier this year by the UK insurance industry's Thatcham Research stated that almost two in five (38.5 per cent) of all pinched motors from Britain are transported to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. Other top destinations listed in the report included the UAE, Cyprus, Jamaica and Georgia, driven by global shortages of car parts, high vehicle desirability and 'geopolitical disruption'. Philip Swift, technical director of motor at QuestGates said: 'The increased targeting of the Toyota Hilux reflects changing criminal behaviour and the perceived value of and demand for specific models. 'We advise affected owners to take immediate steps to secure their vehicles.' Police forces raise the alarm on Hilux thefts And QuestGates isn't alone in encouraging Hilux drivers to take extra precaution. Last summer, Bedfordshire Police urged owners sounded the alarm for Hilux owners when 11 were snatched overnight from addresses in Luton over a few days. Nottinghamshire Police last year also put out a warning to keepers after seven Hilux pick-ups were stolen from various locations across the country - including Balderton, Farndon, Blyth and Newark - within months. And earlier this year, North Yorkshire Police told Hilux owners - notably farmers and in rural communities - to 'take immediate steps' to secure their vehicles. Toyota GB has told us it is rolling out Tracker installation as an option for buyers of certain models being targeted, including Hilux, to help add a level of customer reassurance Sergeant David Lund, of North Yorkshire Police's Rural Task Force, said in January: 'While no security system is foolproof, taking precautionary measures will significantly reduce the risk of theft or damage to your Toyota Hilux. 'More and more vehicles in our area being protected by trackers and other security systems, making life extremely difficult for thieves. 'By continuing to invest in high-quality crime prevention kit, parking in secure locations, and remaining vigilant, you'll have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is as well-protected as possible.' Lund recommended owners install trackers to 'make it far more likely' that police will be able to find a stolen vehicle and well as use 'strong theft deterrents' including steering wheel locks, immobilisers and CCTV systems to ensure the pick-ups aren't an 'easy target'. Kirsty Hyslop, vehicle crime specialist at NFU Mutual, said: 'Pick-ups like the Hilux are essential to farming operations, but their popularity makes them a prime target. 'We've seen both the number and cost of pick-up truck thefts rise in 2025.' West Mercia Police also raised flags about Hilux thefts in the region, but also Ford Ranger pick-up, which have also been targeted by criminals in recent months. Toyota investing £10million to tackle crimewave This is Money approached Toyota Great Britain for comment about the worrying rise in Hilux thefts. A spokesperson told us: 'For the past few years, there has been an industry-wide issue of vehicle theft in the UK, affecting the most popular models first. 'Toyota GB has invested millions of pounds in a variety of solutions that help protect cars from theft. These include protective plates, immobilisers, blockers and trackers. 'As a vehicle manufacturer, we can never completely eliminate the risk of vehicle theft and, in order to further reduce the theft risk, we regularly collaborate and share information with insurance associations, police and law enforcement authorities, theft prevention experts and other key stakeholders around the world. This enables us to understand new threats and techniques used by thieves and develop more secured systems. 'When it comes to recovery of stolen vehicles, we conducted a trial last year, in conjunction with vehicle security experts, Tracker. 'At a cost of more than £10million to Toyota, selected customers were provided with a free tracking service. 'Unfortunately, some of those customers were targeted by criminals and their cars were stolen. As a result of the installation of tracking devices, though, a 96 per cent recovery rate was achieved. 'We are rolling out Tracker installation as an option for buyers of certain models, including Hilux, to help add a level of customer reassurance.' 'Our anti-theft measures form part of a nationwide customer care offering. Owners can contact their local dealer to establish whether or not their model would benefit from additional security devices and to discuss options and fitment.' Better news for JLR The QuestGates report heaped praise on JLR after DVLA theft data showed the brand's multi-million-pound investment in its vehicle security systems had paid dividends and seen its motors fall down the pecking order of most-pinched newer models. Britain's biggest car maker last year pumped £15million into upgrading the anti-theft systems in its vehicles, providing a major software update for all models dating back to 2018 to ensure they had the latest protection to stave off the spike in motor crime. It also handed a further £1million to police operations around UK ports to help infiltrate well-funded gangs shipping stolen motors out of the country. 'JLR deserve huge credit for security upgrades which are apparently highly effective in deterring the professional criminals who target new cars,' the loss adjusting and claims solutions group said The massive investment came after a significant jump in thefts of its vehicles, particularly Range Rover, which at one point became uninsurable in London due to the high risk level of these cars. But the new study showed its efforts - and investment - has been fruitful. Thefts of Land Rover models saw 'substantial decreases', QuestGates said. Less than three-year-old Range Rover Evoque thefts were down 77 per cent last year. 'JLR deserve huge credit for security upgrades which are apparently highly effective in deterring the professional criminals who target new cars,' Swift said. 'Fewer thefts mean fewer claims, lower costs and better outcomes for motor insurance policyholders.' Regionally, thefts of vehicles less than three years old increased significantly in Bedfordshire, Essex and Warwickshire, while Greater Manchester recorded a notable 20 per cent reduction, the study revealed. 13 tips to beat the car thieves This is Money has spoken to a number of experts across the field of vehicle security to create a list of 13 tips all car owners should follow to best protect their motors. We've enlisted the help of Thatcham Research, AA President Edmund King and vehicle crime consultant Dr Ken German - previously head of technology at the Met stolen car squad with a PhD in International Vehicle Crime - to compile the ultimate list of car security tips: 1. Make sure your car is locked in the first place This may seem obvious, but a large proportion of thefts are a result of the vehicle being left unlocked or criminals using signal jammers that block your key fob from communicating with the car's locks. Drivers should always check the vehicle is locked and the windows are up after using a key fob. Listen for the locking noise and watch for the lights to flash and - if your car has them - automatic wing mirrors to fold. 2. Don't leave your car engine running to defrost windows Freezing temperatures can tempt drivers into starting the car's engine to deice or defrost the windows, then returning to the warmth indoors until the windscreen is clear. It might sound obvious but by leaving a vehicle unattended is a huge security risk, even if it's on your own private driveway. In fact, it is illegal to do this, and your insurer is unlikely pay out for any loss if your car is stolen as a result of this. Thieves will be checking for stationary cars emitting exhaust smoke or that have wing mirrors that normally are folded in when locked but are clearly not. 3. Keep valuables out of sight 'Out of sight, out of mind'. Remove all valuables from your vehicle to make it less of a target to opportunistic thieves. 4. Do you have an alarm and immobiliser? Ensure your vehicle has a Thatcham-certified alarm, immobiliser and tracking system fitted. Some insurance policies require the fitment of a tracking device, so it's important any associated subscriptions to monitoring services are maintained. 5. Mechanical security systems - like a steering lock - might seem 'old hat' but are a great deterrent Steering wheel locks, gear clamps, wheel clamps and other traditional security systems can act as a strong visual deterrent against thieves. 6. Install a doorbell camera or CCTV at your home Doorbell cameras and CCTV systems are becoming increasingly popular as both a deterrent for car crime and to catch thieves. Make sure you invest in one that has a night vision mode and crisp HD resolution. Motion-sensing driveway lighting can also be a strong deterrent. 7. If you have a garage, use it! If you have a garage, try to make sure there is enough room for your car to fit into it, rather than using it for storage for all types of household clutter. If you have multiple vehicles, almost prioritise the garage for the one of highest value - and park another car in front of the garage door as an extra precaution. And if you have electric garage doors, do not keep the transponder inside the vehicle, such as in the glovebox. Victims have subsequently found this to be the reason for their property being burgled. 8. Think about where and how you park overnight Most car thefts take place under the cloak of darkness, so this is the most important time to consider how secure your vehicle is. If you don't have a garage but do have a driveway, always park tactically. For instance, if you have a big driveway, park the car sideways to so any thief will need to manoeuvre it. If your driveway is smaller, park facing your house to increase the chances of you being alerted to the lights coming on. And park with the wheels turned on full lock to extend the time it takes for criminals to make a getaway. Even consider parking another less desirable car in front (or behind) your vehicle to prevent easy removal. Those with driveways can also purchase lockable barriers to restrict access - and experts advise that a car cover is often a deterrent due to the time it takes to remove one and will look suspicious to neighbours and passersby. If you do not have off-street parking, try to leave your car in a well-lit area - ideally with CCTV monitoring - and in a position that makes it difficult for a thief to move quickly. Ken German tells us that some motorists are being extra inventive in their bid to protect their cars. Some previous victims are leaving mannequins in the driver's seat to dissuade unwanted visitors. 9. Check repair centre and bodyshop accreditation to avoid key cloning If you need to leave your key with a garage or bodyshop, you should check that they are a member of an accredited code of practice/professional standard such as The Motor Ombudsman or The British Parking Association's Park Mark scheme. This should reduce your chances of falling victim of key cloning. Also, if you have purchased your vehicle second-hand with only one working key, visit an approved repair centre to have the missing key(s) deleted and add a spare as soon as possible. 10. Consider a dashcam or a car with theft alerts Dashcams have grown in popularity in recent years, with motorists primarily using them to prove they were not at fault in a crash. They also act as a great theft deterrent. This is because many of these devices will also record suspicious activity around your car is parked up and you're not in it. However, make sure you buy one that uploads videos to cloud storage rather than saving it only a memory stick in the dash cam - because you will also lose this if your car is stolen. Some modern vehicles now offer 'parking mode', which also can also detect and record movement when parked. This can be used as supporting evidence by your insurer and the police. Many of these alerts will be powered via a smartphone app, so ensure you've activated the feature and turned on notifications. 11. Always wipe stored info from a car before you sell it Some vehicle apps and connected systems can provide the previous owner with access. If permissions remain active, ensure that all permissions and data linked to the previous owner are wiped. 12. 'Locust' thieves might strike twice A new wave of 'locust thieves' exist today who strip cars whilst they're parked at the side of the road and even outside owners' homes. Many people have woken up to find wheels, bonnets and grills and even doors missing from their cars rendering them undriveable. This is because these parts are becoming more valuable since the pandemic with factory closures and slowdowns meaning some components are not as readily available from manufacturers as pre-Covid. For instance, a Porsche headlight can be worth up to £1,000 today, which has driven a rise in these parts being stolen. Wing mirrors for top of the range vehicles are also easy-to-steal high-value components. Ken German warns that falling victim to locust thieves might not be the end of the story. He says owners who have had parts pinched from their car should check around and under the vehicle to ensure thieves have not fitted a tracking device so they can track when the motor is not being used and return at a later date to attempt to steal it. 13. Be aware of scam crash tactics deployed to steal cars While carjacking still exists today, it is not as prevalent in the UK as it is in some other countries, such as South Africa. That said, if you are in a high value vehicle you would be wise to drive with the doors locked in traffic. Also drive defensively when in a queue leaving enough space in front for you to get out of a tight spot should you need to. If your vehicle is bumped from behind, wait to pull over and find somewhere safe where there are people. If you're suspicious don't unlock the door and call the police.
