A fast food shop in Bendigo paid staff as little as $11 an hour because the employer believed it was the ‘going rate’, a Fair Work Ombudsman investigation has found.

The employer, who was new to the business, told Fair Work inspectors he was unaware of the Fast Food Industry Award, minimum hourly rates or penalties.

A random audit of the business as part of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s national hospitality campaign, found that four part time and casual employees were paid between $11 and $15 an hour.

They were entitled to a minimum of between $15.74 and $22.48 for normal hours, and between $20.77 and $29.67 for work on Sundays.

Collectively, they were short changed more than $8000, with individual underpayments ranging from $582 to $3004.

Natalie James, Fair Work Ombudsman, said the employer has been educated about his workplace obligations and since reimbursed all outstanding entitlements.

She said the case study highlights the importance of Goldfields region businesses taking the time to ensure they understand the wage rates applicable to their workplace.

“Employers also need to be aware that they are not able to enter into agreements which undercut minimum lawful entitlements,” James said.

“We would encourage anyone establishing or operating a business to seek advice and assistance if they are unclear about their responsibilities”.

Other recent recoveries in the Goldfields region include $7800 recovered for 16 office cleaners in Bendigo who were underpaid their travel and shift allowances, as well as their overtime penalty rates; $8800 for seven casual food and beverage workers in Bendigo who were underpaid their minimum hourly rates, late night and weekend penalty rates; and $9000 for two farm hands at Clunes who did not receive overtime penalty rates, leave loading or their full personal leave entitlements.