A Melbourne dental practice has been fined for underpaying a 457 visa holder dentist. He was ordered to back-pay a 457 visa-holder $32,889 plus interest, following legal action by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

 

The Federal Circuit Court action was brought by The Fair Work Ombudsman against Dr Ari Masters, who formerly operated the No Brace Centre dental clinic in the Melbourne CBD.

 

The Court held that Dr Masters had deliberately breached the Fair Work Act by disregarding the Compliance Notice and said that he found Dr Masters’ proposition that the underpayment amount was not significant to the individual to be “extraordinary”. “It reflects poorly on [Dr Masters], however, that a person of his apparent means would seek to trivialise what is a significant sum of money for a person who is reliant on the minimum terms and conditions set out in awards and legislation,” Judge Blake said.

 

A Migration Agent or Immigration Lawyer can assist with subclass 457 and subclass 482 obligations. Employers and employees can also seek assistance from www.fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94. An interpreter service is available on 13 14 50.