The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) conducted an audit program in the horse racing industry in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

We initiated the NSW/QLD/VIC Horse racing industry audit program (the program) in response to information we received alleging underpayments of strappers and stable hands in the horse racing industry.

Our complaint data for the 2010/11 and 2011/12 financial years also showed that we had received almost 90 complaints from the horse racing industry. The majority (84%) were received from the eastern states.

In conducting the program, we selected 86 horse racing trainers for assessment. We found 34 (40%) employers in contravention and 52 (60%) compliant.

We recovered $39 502 for 61 employees.