Episode 18: Payroll Mistakes Are Costly: What Every Australian Business Must Know About Wage Theft Laws in 2025

Worried about payroll compliance? You should be. In this episode of HR2Go, host Karen Arnold is joined by Senior Consultant Peter Norrie to unpack how even minor payroll mistakes can lead to massive financial penalties — and even criminal charges — under Australia’s updated wage theft laws from January 2025.

We explore:

• What a payroll audit really involves

• Why 99% of audits uncover compliance issues

• Common award misinterpretations and payroll system errors

• Real-life cases of wage underpayment and the impact on business reputation

• Why overpayments can be just as risky as underpayments

• Practical steps to protect your business from legal risk

Whether you're an SME owner, payroll manager or HR professional, this episode is a must-listen for staying compliant, building trust with staff, and avoiding the devastating fallout of getting it wrong.

🎧 Ready for a payroll health check? Visit ewsolutions.com.au to book a consultation.

#PayrollAudit #WageTheft #FairWork #HRCompliance #SmallBusinessAustralia #HR2GoPodcast