The Fair Work Ombudsman's 2025-26 annual report, released on 29 October, shows anonymous reports of suspected workplace breaches hit a record 31,596. That is up 23 per cent on the 25,608 received the year before. For a small business owner, the message is simple: a check of your business can start without any employee talking to you first.

What the numbers show

Anonymous reports can be lodged through the Fair Work Ombudsman's website. According to HR industry coverage, a report needs the employer's name, address and industry. Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said anonymous reports help the agency identify emerging issues and detect patterns, and shape where it focuses education and compliance work.

Elsewhere in the report, the regulator issued 1,392 compliance notices and 791 infringement notices. SmartCompany reports those infringement notices led to $831,891 in fines for payslip and record-keeping breaches. These are paperwork failures, and they are often the easiest to fix.

A caution about the headline number

More reports do not automatically mean more breaches. Industry groups quoted by SmartCompany say it is unclear how many tip-offs involve small businesses or lead to investigations, and some have raised concerns about complaints that may be lodged by competitors. Even so, responding to a regulatory enquiry takes time and money, which is a good reason to be ready before one arrives.

What to do this week

  • Check your payslips. Make sure each one is issued on time and shows the details required, including gross and net pay, super and any loadings or penalty rates.
  • Check your records. Time sheets, pay records, leave balances and super payments should be accurate, complete and easy to produce.
  • Check the award. Confirm each employee is on the right award and classification, and that you applied the 1 July 2026 pay increase.
  • Fix mistakes promptly. If you find an underpayment, correct it and back pay the difference. Acting on your own initiative is treated very differently to being caught.
  • Use the free help. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes free resources and tools for employers, so you do not need to guess.
  • Talk to your team. Staff who feel heard and paid correctly rarely need to go anywhere else.

Most small businesses are trying to do the right thing. A short, regular payroll check is the most practical protection you have.

This is general information only and does not take your circumstances into account. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman website or speak to a professional before making decisions.