{"id":"wage-theft-act-2020-0","name":"Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act 2020","slug":"workforce-inspectorate-victoria-act-2020","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":178770,"registerId":"vic-wage-theft-act-2020-0-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act 2020","content":"Version No. 005\n\n**Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act 2020**\n\n**No. 21 of 2020**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n17 December 2025\n\n**TABLE OF PROVISIONS**\n\n*Section Page*\n\nPart 1—Preliminary 1\n\n1 Purposes 1\n\n2 Commencement 1\n\n3 Definitions 2\n\n4 Act binds the Crown 5\n\nPart 3—Workforce Inspectorate Victoria and Commissioner 7\n\nDivision 1—The Workforce Inspectorate Victoria 7\n\n19 Establishment of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria 7\n\n20 Functions of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria 8\n\n21 Powers of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria 9\n\n22 Guiding principles of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria 10\n\n23 Staff of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria 10\n\n24 Ministerial directions 11\n\nDivision 2—Commissioner of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria 11\n\n25 Appointment of Commissioner 11\n\n26 Terms and conditions of appointment 12\n\n27 Vacancy and resignation 12\n\n28 Removal from office 13\n\n29 Acting appointment 13\n\n30 Functions and powers of Commissioner 14\n\n31 Power to delegate 14\n\nPart 5—General matters 16\n\nDivision 2—Offences 16\n\n69A Offence to cause or threaten detriment 16\n\n70 Offence to give false or misleading information 18\n\nDivision 2A—Notifications and information 19\n\n71 Notification and information from government agencies and bodies 19\n\nDivision 4—Other general matters 20\n\n74 Validity of acts and decisions 20\n\n75 Immunity for carrying out functions 20\n\n77 Confidentiality 21\n\nDivision 5—Regulations 22\n\n79 Regulations 22\n\nPart 6—Saving and transitional provisions arising from Act title change and Wage Inspectorate Victoria name change 24\n\n80 Construction of references 24\n\n81 Saving provision—Wage Inspectorate Victoria 24\n\n82 Saving provision—Commissioner 25\n\n83 Regulations dealing with transitional matters 25\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes 27\n\n1 General information 27\n\n2 Table of Amendments 29\n\n3 Explanatory details 30\n\n**Version No.** **005**\n\n**Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act 2020**\n\n**No. 21 of 2020**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n17 December 2025\n\n**The Parliament of Victoria enacts:**\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n\t1 Purposes\n\nThe purposes of this Act are—\n\nS. 1(a) repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 4(1).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 1(b) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 4(2).\n\n(b) to establish the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria; and\n\nS. 1(c) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 4(3).\n\n(c) to provide for the functions and powers of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria; and\n\n(d) to make consequential amendments of other Acts.\n\n\t2 Commencement\n\n(1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act comes into operation on a day or days to be proclaimed.\n\n(2) If a provision of this Act does not come into operation before 1 July 2021, it comes into operation on that day.\n\n\t3 Definitions\n\n(1) In this Act—\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *associate* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(a).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *board of directors* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(b).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *Commis-sioner* amended by No. 35/2025 s. 5(3).\n\n***Commissioner*** means the Commissioner of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria appointed under section 25(2);\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *corporate culture* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(c).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *employee* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(d).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *employee entitlement* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(e).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *employee entitlement offence* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(f).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *employee entitlement record* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(g).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *employer* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(h).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *inspector* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(i).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *Integrity Oversight Victoria* inserted by No. 31/2024 s. 113(Sch. 1 item 42.1(a)), repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(j).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *Office of Public Prosecutions* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(k).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *officer* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(l).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *privilege* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(m).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *public construction* inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 35.\n\n***public construction*** means—\n\n(a) public construction within the meaning of the **Project Development and Construction Management Act 1994**; and\n\n(b) any other construction or class of construction prescribed as public construction for the purposes of this Act;\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *registered office* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(n).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *undertaking* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(o).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *Victorian Inspectorate* repealed by No. 31/2024 s. 113(Sch. 1 item 42.1(b)).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *Wage Inspectorate Victoria* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(p).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *withhold* repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(1)(q).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *worker* inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 5(2).\n\n***worker*** means a person who is or was—\n\n(a) employed on a paid or voluntary basis to work at, or in relation to, a workplace; or\n\n(b) engaged as an independent contractor to work at, or in relation to, a workplace;\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *Workforce Inspectorate Victoria* inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 5(2).\n\n***Workforce Inspectorate Victoria*** means the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria established under section 19;\n\n***workplace*** includes residential premises where work is carried out, but does not include a part of any premises that is the domestic home of a person.\n\nS. 3(2)(3) repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 5(4).\n\n* * * * *\n\n\t4 Act binds the Crown\n\n(1) This Act binds the Crown—\n\n(a) in right of the State of Victoria; and\n\n(b) to the extent that the legislative power of the Parliament permits, in all its other capacities.\n\n(2) To avoid doubt, the Crown is a body corporate for the purposes of this Act.\n\nS. 5 repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 6.\n\n* * * * *\n\nPt 2 (Heading and ss 6–18) repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 7.\n\n* * * * *\n\nPt 3 (Heading) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 8.\n\nPart 3—Workforce Inspectorate Victoria and Commissioner\n\nPt 3 Div. 1 (Heading) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 9.\n\nDivision 1—The Workforce Inspectorate Victoria\n\nS. 19 (Heading) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 10(1).\n\n\t19 Establishment of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria\n\nS. 19(1) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 10(2).\n\n(1) The Workforce Inspectorate Victoria is established.\n\nS. 19(2) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 10(2).\n\n(2) The Workforce Inspectorate Victoria—\n\n(a) is a body corporate with perpetual succession; and\n\n(b) must have an official seal; and\n\n(c) may sue and be sued in its corporate name; and\n\n(d) may acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property for the purpose of performing its functions; and\n\n(e) may do and suffer all acts and things that bodies corporate may by law do and suffer and that are necessary or incidental for the performance of its functions.\n\nS. 20 (Heading) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 11(1).\n\n\t20 Functions of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria\n\nS. 20(1) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 11(2).\n\n(1) The Workforce Inspectorate Victoria has the following functions—\n\n(a) to inform, educate and assist people in relation to their rights and obligations under this Act;\n\n(b) to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with this Act and the regulations;\n\nS. 20(1)(c)–(e) repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 11(3).\n\n* * * * *\n\n(f) to develop and publish guidelines in relation to this Act;\n\n(g) to perform functions necessary for the administration of this Act;\n\nS. 20(1)(h) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 11(4).\n\n(h) to provide advice and report to the Minister on the guidelines or any other matter referred to the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria by the Minister;\n\nS. 20(1)(ha) inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 11(5).\n\n(ha) to provide information, education and advice to workers, in relation to prescribed workplace entitlements matters;\n\n(i) to engage in, promote and coordinate the sharing of information with other government agencies and bodies, including agencies and bodies of the government of the Commonwealth or another State or a Territory, for the purposes of this Act;\n\nS. 20(1)(ia) inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 36.\n\n(ia) to receive complaints or matters, and related information, regarding public construction from any person;\n\nS. 20(1)(ib) inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 36.\n\n(ib) to refer complaints or matters, and disclose related information, regarding public construction to other government agencies and bodies, including agencies and bodies of the Commonwealth or another State or Territory;\n\nS. 20(1)(ic) inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 36.\n\n(ic) to receive notifications and information from other government agencies and bodies regarding any complaints or matters the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria has referred to those government agencies and bodies;\n\nS. 20(1)(id) inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 36.\n\n(id) to provide advice and report to the Minister, as appropriate, on any complaints, matters, notifications or information the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria receives or refers;\n\n(j) to disseminate information about the duties, rights and obligations of persons under this Act and the regulations;\n\n(k) to refer matters, as appropriate, to other bodies;\n\nS. 20(1)(l) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 11(6).\n\n(l) any other function conferred on the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria by this or any other Act.\n\nS. 20(2) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 11(6).\n\n(2) The Workforce Inspectorate Victoria has all the powers that are necessary or convenient to perform its functions under this or any other Act.\n\nS. 21 (Heading) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 12(1).\n\n\t21 Powers of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria\n\nS. 21(1) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 12(2).\n\n(1) The Workforce Inspectorate Victoria has power to do all things that are necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its duties and functions.\n\nS. 21(2) repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 12(3).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 22 (Heading) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 13(1).\n\n\t22 Guiding principles of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria\n\nS. 22(1) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 13(2).\n\nThe Workforce Inspectorate Victoria, in carrying out a function or power under this or any other Act, must—\n\n(a) act in a fair, impartial and independent manner; and\n\n(b) act in a manner that is transparent, accountable and consistent; and\n\n(c) act in a consultative and collaborative manner to the extent that is consistent with the carrying out of a function or power.\n\nS. 23 (Heading) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 14(1).\n\n\t23 Staff of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria\n\nS. 23(1) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 14(2).\n\n(1) There may be employed under Part 3 of the **Public Administration Act 2004** any employees that are necessary for the administration of this Act or to enable the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria to perform its functions and exercise its powers.\n\nS. 23(2) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 14(2).\n\n(2) The Workforce Inspectorate Victoria may engage consultants, contractors or agents for or in connection with the performance of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria's functions.\n\nS. 23(3) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 14(2)(3).\n\n(3) The Workforce Inspectorate Victoria may enter into an agreement or arrangement for the use of the services of any person with suitable qualifications or experience to assist the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria in the performance of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria's functions and powers under this or any other Act.\n\nS. 23(4) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 14(2).\n\n(4) An agreement or arrangement under subsection (3) may be on any terms and conditions that the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria is satisfied are appropriate.\n\n\t24 Ministerial directions\n\nS. 24(1) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 15(2).\n\n(1) The Minister may give general written directions to the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria about the performance of the functions of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria, except in relation to the following—\n\nS. 24(1)(a) substituted by No. 35/2025 s. 15(1).\n\n(a) the function under section 20(1)(ib);\n\n(b) the employment or engagement (however described) of employees, consultants or other persons under section 23(1), (2) or (3).\n\nS. 24(2) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 15(2).\n\n(2) The Minister, in writing, may direct the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria to give the Minister reports on specified matters relating to the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria's functions.\n\nS. 24(3) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 15(2).\n\n(3) The Workforce Inspectorate Victoria must comply with a direction given under subsection (2) within a reasonable time.\n\nPt 3 Div. 2 (Heading) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 16.\n\nDivision 2—Commissioner of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria\n\n\t25 Appointment of Commissioner\n\nS. 25(1) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 17.\n\n(1) There is to be a Commissioner of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria.\n\n(2) The Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, may by instrument appoint a person to be the Commissioner.\n\n\t26 Terms and conditions of appointment\n\n(1) The Commissioner—\n\n(a) holds office for a term, not exceeding 5 years, that is specified in the instrument of appointment; and\n\n(b) is eligible for reappointment; and\n\n(c) may be appointed on a full-time or part-time basis; and\n\n(d) holds office on the terms and conditions that are specified in the instrument of appointment.\n\n(2) The Commissioner is entitled to be paid the remuneration and allowances that are fixed from time to time by the Governor in Council.\n\n\t27 Vacancy and resignation\n\nThe Commissioner ceases to hold office if the Commissioner—\n\n(a) resigns by writing signed and delivered to the Governor; or\n\n(b) becomes insolvent under administration; or\n\n(c) is convicted of an indictable offence or of an offence that, if committed in Victoria, would be an indictable offence; or\n\n(d) nominates for election for or is elected to—\n\n(i) the Parliament of Victoria; or\n\n(ii) the Parliament of the Commonwealth or of another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth; or\n\n(iii) a Council, within the meaning of the **Local Government Act 2020**; or\n\n(e) is removed from office under section 28.\n\n\t28 Removal from office\n\nThe Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, may remove the Commissioner from office on any of the following grounds—\n\n(a) neglect of the Commissioner in carrying out the duties of the office;\n\n(b) misconduct by the Commissioner in carrying out the duties of the office;\n\n(c) inability of the Commissioner to perform the duties of the office;\n\n(d) a conflict of interest of the Commissioner when carrying out the duties of the office;\n\n(e) the Commissioner engaging in paid employment outside of the duties of the office without the consent of the Minister.\n\n\t29 Acting appointment\n\n(1) The Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, may appoint a person to act as the Commissioner—\n\n(a) during a vacancy in the office of the Commissioner; or\n\n(b) during any period, not exceeding 12 months, when the Commissioner is absent or is for any other reason unable to perform the duties of the office of Commissioner.\n\n(2) A person appointed under subsection (1) is entitled to the remuneration and allowances that are determined from time to time by the Governor in Council.\n\n(3) While a person is acting as the Commissioner, the person has all the powers and may perform any of the functions of the Commissioner.\n\n(4) The Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, may revoke an appointment under subsection (1) at any time.\n\n\t30 Functions and powers of Commissioner\n\n(1) The Commissioner—\n\nS. 30(1)(a) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 18.\n\n(a) has all the duties, functions and powers of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria; and\n\n(b) has any other duties, functions and powers conferred on the Commissioner under this Act or any other Act.\n\n(2) The Commissioner—\n\nS. 30(2)(a) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 18.\n\n(a) is responsible for undertaking the strategic leadership of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria for the purposes of this Act; and\n\nS. 30(2)(b) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 18.\n\n(b) is the public service body Head of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria for the purposes of section 16 of the **Public Administration Act 2004**.\n\nS. 30(3) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 18.\n\n(3) All acts and things done by the Commissioner in the name of or on behalf of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria are taken to have been done by the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria.\n\nS. 31 amended by No. 35/2025 s. 19.\n\n\t31 Power to delegate\n\nThe Commissioner, by instrument, may delegate to any person referred to in section 23(1) any function or power of the Commissioner under this Act (including a function or power referred to in section 30(1)(a)), or under any other Act, other than this power of delegation.\n\nPt 4 (Headings and ss 32–62) amended by No. 31/2024 s. 113(Sch. 1 items 42.2–42.6), repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 20.\n\n* * * * *\n\nPart 5—General matters\n\nPt 5 Div. 1 (Heading and ss 63–65) repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 21.\n\n* * * * *\n\nDivision 2—Offences\n\nS. 66 repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 22.\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 67 repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 23.\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 68 repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 24.\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 69 repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 25.\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 69A inserted by No. 57/2025 s. 30.\n\n\t69A Offence to cause or threaten detriment\n\n(1) A person must not cause detriment, or threaten to cause detriment, to another person because the person knows or believes that the other person—\n\n(a) has made a complaint to Workforce Inspectorate Victoria; or\n\n(b) has provided information about public construction to Workforce Inspectorate Victoria; or\n\n(c) intends to make, or is considering whether to make, a complaint to Workforce Inspectorate Victoria; or\n\n(d) intends to provide, or is considering whether to provide, information about public construction to Workforce Inspectorate Victoria; or\n\n(e) has participated, or is participating, in a process under this or any other Act arising from any person's complaint to Workforce Inspectorate Victoria; or\n\n(f) intends to participate in, or is considering whether to participate in, a process under this or any other Act arising from any person's complaint to Workforce Inspectorate Victoria.\n\nPenalty: Level 5 fine (1200 penalty units maximum) or level 5 imprisonment (10 years maximum) or both.\n\n(2) Detriment that is caused or threatened to be caused may be direct or indirect.\n\n(3) A person threatens to cause detriment to another person if the person—\n\n(a) intends that the other person will believe that the person will cause detriment to the other person; or\n\n(b) is reckless as to whether the other person will believe that the person will cause detriment to the other person.\n\n(4) A threat—\n\n(a) may be made by words or conduct; and\n\n(b) may be explicit or implicit; and\n\n(c) need not be believed by the other person.\n\n(5) A person's—\n\n(a) knowledge need not be the only reason the person causes, or threatens to cause, detriment; and\n\n(b) belief need not be—\n\n(i) reasonable; or\n\n(ii) the only reason the person causes, or threatens to cause, detriment.\n\n(6) In this section—\n\n***detriment***—\n\n(a) includes—\n\n(i) injury;\n\n(ii) intimidation or harassment;\n\n(iii) ostracism;\n\n(iv) damage to or loss of property;\n\n(b) does not include—\n\n(i) discrimination, disadvantage or adverse treatment in or in connection with employment;\n\n(ii) dismissal from, or prejudice in or in connection with, employment;\n\n(iii) disciplinary proceedings in or in connection with employment.\n\n\t70 Offence to give false or misleading information\n\nS. 70(1) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 26(1).\n\n(1) A person must not give information to the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria or the Commissioner that the person believes to be false or misleading in a material particular.\n\n1. In the case of a body corporate, level 5 fine (1200 penalty units maximum);\n\n\nIn any other case, level 7 imprisonment (2 years maximum).\n\nS. 70(2) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 26(2).\n\n(2) A person must not produce a document to the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria or the Commissioner that the person knows to be false or misleading in a material particular without indicating the respect in which it is false or misleading and, if practicable, providing correct information.\n\n1. In the case of a body corporate, level 5 fine (1200 penalty units maximum);\n\n\nIn any other case, level 7 imprisonment (2 years maximum).\n\nPt 5 Div. 2A (Heading and new s. 71) inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 37.\n\nDivision 2A—Notifications and information\n\nNew s. 71 inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 37.\n\n\t71 Notification and information from government agencies and bodies\n\n(1) At any time, the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria may request notification or information from a government agency or body regarding—\n\n(a) any investigation the agency or body has undertaken of a complaint or matter the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria has referred to the agency or body; and\n\n(b) any action the agency or body has taken in respect of a complaint or matter the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria has referred to the agency or body.\n\n(2) A government agency or body that receives a request under subsection (1) must provide the required notification or information within a reasonable time, as specified by the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria.\n\nPt 5 Div. 3 (Heading and ss 71–73) repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 27.\n\n* * * * *\n\nDivision 4—Other general matters\n\nS. 74 amended by No. 35/2025 s. 28.\n\n\t74 Validity of acts and decisions\n\nAn act or decision of the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria, the Commissioner or an Acting Commissioner is not invalid—\n\n(a) only because of a defect or irregularity in, or in connection with, the appointment of the Commissioner or Acting Commissioner; or\n\n(b) on the ground that the occasion for the Acting Commissioner to act had not arisen or had ceased.\n\n\t75 Immunity for carrying out functions\n\n(1) The Commissioner, Acting Commissioner or another person who performs a function of the Commissioner under this Act or under any other Act is not personally liable for anything necessarily or reasonably done or omitted to be done in good faith—\n\n(a) in the performance of the function; or\n\n(b) in the reasonable belief that the act or omission was in the performance of the function.\n\nS. 75(2) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 29.\n\n(2) Any liability resulting from an act or omission that, but for subsection (1), would attach to the Commissioner, Acting Commissioner or another person attaches instead to the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria.\n\nS. 76 repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 30.\n\n* * * * *\n\n\t77 Confidentiality\n\n(1) A person who obtains information in performing the person's functions or exercising the person's powers under this Act must not disclose the information unless the disclosure is authorised under this section.\n\nPenalty: 75 penalty units.\n\n(2) A person may disclose information acquired in performing a function or exercising a power under this Act in any of the following circumstances—\n\n(a) if the disclosure of the information is reasonably necessary for the person to perform the person's functions or exercise the person's powers under this Act;\n\nS. 77(2)(ab) inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 38.\n\n(ab) if the disclosure of the information is in accordance with the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria's functions under section 20(1)(ib) or (id);\n\n(b) if the disclosure of the information is to a court or VCAT in the course of legal proceedings;\n\n(c) if the disclosure of the information is under an order of a court or VCAT;\n\n(d) if the disclosure of the information is to the extent reasonably required to enable the investigation or the enforcement of a law of this State or of any other State or Territory or of the Commonwealth;\n\n(e) if the disclosure of the information is with the written consent of the person to whom the information relates;\n\n(f) if the disclosure is required by law.\n\nS. 77(3) amended by No. 35/2025 s. 31.\n\n(3) The Commissioner may disclose information acquired in carrying out a function under this Act if the Commissioner is satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so.\n\nS. 78 repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 32.\n\n* * * * *\n\nDivision 5—Regulations\n\n\t79 Regulations\n\nS. 79(1) substituted by No. 35/2025 s. 33(1).\n\n(1) The Governor in Council may make regulations for or with respect to—\n\n(a) prescribing workplace entitlements matters for the purposes of section 20(1)(ha); and\n\nS. 79(1)(ab) inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 39.\n\n(ab) prescribing construction or classes of construction for the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of ***public construction***, including any matter relating to the construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, alteration, extension or demolition of any improvements on land; and\n\n(b) prescribing, generally, any other matter or thing required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed or necessary to be prescribed to give effect to this Act.\n\nS. 79(2) repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 33(1).\n\n* * * * *\n\n(3) The regulations—\n\n(a) may be of general or of specially limited application; and\n\n(b) may differ according to differences in time, place or circumstance; and\n\n(c) may confer a discretionary authority, or impose a duty, on a specified person or body or class of person or body.\n\nS. 79(4) repealed by No. 35/2025 s. 33(2).\n\n* * * * *\n\nPt 6 (Headings and ss  \n80–100) repealed by No. 21/2020 s. 100, new Pt 6 (Heading and new ss 80–83) inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 40.\n\nPart 6—Saving and transitional provisions arising from Act title change and Wage Inspectorate Victoria name change\n\nNew s. 80 inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 40.\n\n\t80 Construction of references\n\nUnless the contrary intention appears, on and after the commencement of Part 2 of the **Wage Theft Amendment Act 2025**, in any Act, subordinate instrument, agreement or other document (other than this Act), as far as it relates to any period after that commencement—\n\n(a) a reference to the **Wage Theft Act 2020** is to be construed as a reference to the **Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act 2020**; and\n\n(b) a reference to the Wage Inspectorate Victoria is to be construed as a reference to the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria.\n\nNew s. 81 inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 40.\n\n\t81 Saving provision—Wage Inspectorate Victoria\n\nOn and after the commencement of Part 2 of the **Wage Theft Amendment Act 2025**, the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria is taken to be the same body as the Wage Inspectorate Victoria was immediately before that commencement and no decision, matter or thing is to be affected by the change in name.\n\nNew s. 82 inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 40.\n\n\t82 Saving provision—Commissioner\n\n(1) On and after the commencement of Part 2 of the **Wage Theft Amendment Act 2025**, the Commissioner holding office immediately before that commencement continues to hold office as the Commissioner on and after that commencement on the same terms and conditions on which the person held office immediately before that commencement and no decision, matter or thing is affected by the change in name.\n\n(2) Nothing in subsection (1) affects the operation of Division 2 of Part 3 in relation to the person referred to in subsection (1) from any time after the commencement of Part 2 of the **Wage Theft Amendment Act 2025**.\n\nNew s. 83 inserted by No. 35/2025 s. 40.\n\n\t83 Regulations dealing with transitional matters\n\n(1) The Governor in Council may make regulations containing provisions of a transitional nature, including matters of an application or savings nature, arising as a result of the enactment of the **Wage Theft Amendment Act 2025**, including any repeals and amendments made by that Act.\n\n(2) Regulations made under this section may—\n\n(a) have a retrospective effect to a day on or from the day on which the **Wage Theft Amendment Act 2025** received the Royal Assent; and\n\n(b) be of limited or general application; and\n\n(c) leave any matter or thing to be decided by a specified person or class of person; and\n\n(d) provide for the exemption of persons or things or a class of persons or things from any of the regulations made under this section.\n\n(3) Regulations made under this section have effect despite anything to the contrary—\n\n(a) in any Act other than the **Wage Theft Amendment Act 2025** or the **Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006**; or\n\n(b) in any subordinate instrument.\n\n(4) This section is **repealed** on the second anniversary of the day on which it comes into operation.\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\n*Minister's second reading speech—*\n\n*Legislative Assembly: 19 March 2020*\n\n*Legislative Council: 4 June 2020*\n\nThe long title for the Bill for this Act was \"A Bill for an Act to create offences relating to the theft of employee entitlements and the keeping of records relating to employee entitlements, to establish the Wage Inspectorate Victoria and for other purposes.\"\n\nThe **Wage Theft Act 2020** was assented to on 23 June 2020 and came into operation on 1 July 2021: section 2(2).\n\nThe title of this Act was changed from the **Wage Theft Act 2020** to the **Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act 2020** by section 34 of the **Wage Theft Amendment Act 2025**, No. 35/2025.\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original section or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.  \nSee section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThis publication incorporates amendments made to the **Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act 2020** by Acts and subordinate instruments.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n**Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act 2020, No. 21/2020**\n\n| Assent Date: | 23.6.20 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 100 on 1.7.21: s. 2(2) |\n| Note: | S. 100 repealed Pt 6 (ss 80–100) on 1.7.22 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act 2020** |\n\n\n**Justice Legislation Amendment (Integrity, Defamation and Other Matters) Act 2024, No. 31/2024**\n\n| Assent Date: | 10.9.24 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 113(Sch. 1 item 42) on 10.2.25: Special Gazette (No. 648) 26.11.24 p. 1 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act 2020** |\n\n\n**Wage Theft Amendment Act 2025, No. 35/2025**\n\n| Assent Date: | 2.9.25 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | Ss 4–34, 40 on 12.12.25: Special Gazette (No. 689) 9.12.25 p. 1; ss 35–39 on 17.12.25: Special Gazette (No. 715) 16.12.25 p. 1 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act 2020** |\n\n\n**Labour Hire Legislation Amendment (Licensing) Act 2025, No. 57/2025**\n\n| Assent Date: | 16.12.25 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 30 on 17.12.25: Special Gazette (No. 715) 16.12.25 p. 1 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act 2020** |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Explanatory details\n\nNo entries at date of publication.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has dramatically narrowed in scope from its original intent. The long title of the original Bill was 'to create offences relating to the theft of employee entitlements and the keeping of records relating to employee entitlements, to establish the Wage Inspectorate Victoria and for other purposes.' The 2025 amendments repealed: Part 2 (Wage theft offences), Part 4 (Investigations and enforcement), Part 5 Divisions 1 and 3 (Information gathering and other provisions), and removed definitions of 'employee', 'employer', 'employee entitlement', 'wage theft' concepts, and 'officer'. The Act has transformed from a comprehensive wage theft criminalisation scheme into a skeletal body-corporate statute establishing the Inspectorate with limited functions around education, public construction complaints, and information sharing. The wage theft offences appear to have been removed entirely rather than relocated within this Act."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive amendment history with multiple repeals — the 2025 amendments removed entire Parts (Part 2, Part 4, Part 5 Divisions 1 and 3) and numerous defined terms, leaving a 'ghost' structure of repealed provisions","Transitional provisions in Part 6 dealing with name changes from 'Wage Theft Act' to 'Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act' and 'Wage Inspectorate Victoria' to 'Workforce Inspectorate Victoria'","Cross-references to other Victorian legislation including Public Administration Act 2004, Project Development and Construction Management Act 1994, and Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006","Conditional logic in section 69A (offence to cause detriment) with multiple nested subsections defining what constitutes a threat, knowledge, belief, and specific exclusions for employment-related detriment","Delegation powers in section 31 with explicit exclusion of the delegation power itself","Ministerial direction limitations in section 24(1) carving out specific functions from ministerial control"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislation establishes **Workforce Inspectorate Victoria** (formerly Wage Inspectorate Victoria), a government body that oversees workplace laws in Victoria.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Creates a statutory body corporate called Workforce Inspectorate Victoria with its own Commissioner\n- Gives the Inspectorate functions to educate workers about their rights, monitor compliance with workplace laws, and enforce those laws\n- Allows the Inspectorate to receive and refer complaints about **public construction** projects (government-funded building work)\n- Protects people who make complaints or provide information from retaliation (\"detriment\") — with penalties up to 10 years imprisonment for serious cases\n- Makes it an offence to give false or misleading information to the Inspectorate\n- Allows information sharing between government agencies\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Workers** — defined broadly to include employees, volunteers, and independent contractors\n- **Employers and businesses** — particularly those involved in public construction projects\n- **Government agencies** — who must share information with the Inspectorate when requested\n\n**Why it matters:**\nOriginally, this Act was the *Wage Theft Act 2020* and focused heavily on criminalising wage theft (underpayment of workers). However, major amendments in 2025 stripped out most of the wage theft offences and record-keeping provisions. The Act is now essentially a **structural statute** that creates the Inspectorate as a body that can handle complaints and share information, but the heavy-duty enforcement of wage theft has been removed (likely moved to other legislation or handled differently).\n\nThe Act ensures continuity — the old Wage Inspectorate simply became the Workforce Inspectorate without losing any ongoing work or decisions."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. The Act has moved beyond the original narrow framing in the 2020 long title (focusing on theft of employee entitlements and a dedicated Wage Inspectorate) to a broader statutory Inspectorate model. Amendments rename the body to the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria, replace and remove many earlier definitions, add functions that emphasise education, information sharing and referral (including specific powers related to 'public construction') (s.20(1)(ha),(ia)–(id)), and create transitional provisions to convert prior references and bodies into the new framework (Pt 6, ss.80–83). The Act now emphasises inter‑agency coordination and regulatory flexibility (regulations may prescribe workplace entitlement matters and classes of construction — s.79(1)(a),(ab)), and inserts strong anti‑detriment protections (s.69A). Mechanically, those changes broaden the Inspectorate's remit from prosecuting discrete wage‑theft offences to a wider role combining education, referral, information exchange and enforcement across workplace and construction sectors."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple substantial amendments and repeals across 2024–2025 (see Table of Amendments) that change definitions and Parts, increasing interpretive complexity","Many repealed definitions in s.3 and several new/altered definitions (e.g. 'worker', 'public construction', 'Workforce Inspectorate Victoria') requiring cross-checking","Cross-references to other Acts and external instruments (Public Administration Act 2004, Project Development and Construction Management Act 1994, Local Government Act 2020, Wage Theft Amendment Act 2025) throughout","Nested functions and powers with multiple information‑sharing paragraphs (s.20(1)(i),(ia)–(id)) creating conditional pathways for referrals and notifications","Criminal offences with broad elements and listed exceptions (s.69A covers direct/indirect detriment, belief/knowledge tests and specific employment exclusions), requiring factual legal analysis to apply","Regulation‑making power that can substantially expand scope (s.79) including prescribing classes of public construction (s.79(1)(ab))","Transitional and saving provisions that recharacterise prior bodies and references (Pt 6, ss.80–83) and permit retrospective regulations under s.83(2)(a)","Ministerial direction powers with explicit carve-outs (s.24) — interplay between executive oversight and operational independence","Confidentiality scheme with multiple authorised disclosure exceptions and a public interest gateway (s.77), which intersects with enforcement and inter-agency exchange","Delegation, immunity and validity provisions (ss.31, 74–75) that affect legal liability and decision validity across a range of circumstances"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this Act does (plain terms)**\n\n- Establishes a new public body called the Workforce Inspectorate Victoria and a Commissioner to lead it (see s.19 and s.25–26).  The Inspectorate is a statutory agency (a government body created by law) with its own legal identity — it can employ staff, hold property and sue or be sued (s.19(2)).\n\n- Sets out the Inspectorate's core functions: providing information, education and advice to workers; promoting, monitoring and enforcing compliance with this Act and regulations; developing and publishing guidance; referring matters to other bodies; and sharing and receiving information with other government agencies (s.20(1)(a),(b),(f),(h),(i),(j),(k),(l), (ha), (ia)–(id)).\n\n- Creates criminal offences and penalties relevant to the Inspectorate's work:\n  - A new offence that prohibits causing or threatening detriment (harm, intimidation, ostracism, property damage, etc.) to a person because they have complained to, or provided (or intend to provide) information to, the Inspectorate — including in relation to public construction. This carries high maximum penalties (s.69A).\n  - An offence for providing false or misleading information or documents to the Inspectorate (s.70).\n\n- Provides powers to share, request and disclose information between the Inspectorate and other government agencies, and obliges agencies to respond to requests for notification or information about matters referred to them (s.20(1)(i),(ia)–(id); s.71).\n\n- Sets confidentiality rules limiting disclosure of information obtained under the Act, but lists specific exceptions (investigations, court proceedings, consent of the person concerned, enforcement of laws, the Inspectorate's public construction functions, or the Commissioner’s view of public interest) and imposes a penalty for unauthorised disclosure (s.77).\n\n- Allows the Minister to give general written directions to the Inspectorate, subject to express exclusions (the Minister cannot direct certain referral functions or staffing decisions) and requires the Inspectorate to report to the Minister when directed (s.24).\n\n- Provides employment arrangements for staff, delegation powers for the Commissioner, and legal immunities for acts done in good faith in the performance of functions (s.23; s.31; s.75).\n\n- Contains regulatory and transitional machinery: the Governor in Council can make regulations to prescribe workplace entitlement matters and classes of public construction (s.79); and there are saving and conversion provisions to treat prior references (e.g. to the Wage Theft Act or Wage Inspectorate Victoria) as references to this Act and body (Pt 6, ss.80–83).\n\n\nWho is affected\n\n- Workers (employees, volunteers, independent contractors as defined here) and employers at workplaces in Victoria — including residential premises used for work — where the Inspectorate's functions apply (s.3 definitions).\n- Government agencies that receive referrals from, or are asked for information by, the Inspectorate (s.20(1)(ib),(ic); s.71).\n- People who complain to, provide information to, or participate in processes involving the Inspectorate; those people are protected from detriment by s.69A.\n- Anyone who makes false or misleading statements or produces false documents to the Inspectorate faces criminal penalties under s.70.\n\n\nWhy this matters (mechanically)\n\n- It centralises a suite of inspection, education and referral functions in a single statutory body (s.19–20), with powers to share information across governments (s.20(1)(i),(ib),(ic)). That changes how workplace complaints and public construction matters can be handled.\n\n- The Act creates strong criminal deterrents against retaliation (s.69A) and against supplying false information (s.70). Those provisions alter the legal risks for employers, contractors, other third parties and individuals dealing with the Inspectorate.\n\n- Confidentiality and information‑sharing rules (s.77; s.71) permit cross-agency enforcement and referral but limit public disclosure; the Commissioner also has a public‑interest disclosure power (s.77(3)).\n\n\nOfficial purpose-claims and how they operate in practice\n\n- Official claim: the Act exists to set up the Inspectorate and provide for its functions and powers (s.1(b)–(c)). Mechanically the Act does that (s.19–21). It also claims a role in educating workers about entitlements (s.20(1)(a),(ha)).\n\n- Testing that claim against costs and incentives: education and guidance create recurring resource needs (staff, consultants, communications) (s.23). The Act permits employing staff and engaging contractors (s.23(1)–(4)), but those activities require funding and administrative capacity; the Minister can direct reporting but not particular referral functions or staffing choices (s.24), which preserves some operational autonomy but retains ministerial oversight.\n\n- Official claim: the Inspectorate will coordinate with other government agencies (s.20(1)(i),(ib),(ic)). In practice, the Inspectorate can both request information and refer complaints; agencies must provide information when requested (s.71). That creates incentives for inter-agency cooperation but also raises implementation risk: timeliness, data compatibility and resource burdens on receiving agencies may vary (s.71(2) requires provision \"within a reasonable time, as specified\" by the Inspectorate).\n\n- Official claim: the Act deters reprisals against complainants (s.69A). The mechanical effect is a criminal prohibition with high maximum penalties covering both direct and indirect detriment and threats (s.69A(1)–(6)). That raises enforcement questions: proving causal motivation or belief and prosecutorial resources will determine practical deterrence. The offence excludes typical employment disciplinary actions (s.69A(6)(b)(i)–(iii)), which limits scope where employers rely on internal employment processes.\n\n\nCosts, trade-offs and likely behavioural effects (mechanisms, not judgments)\n\n- Who pays: the state funds the Inspectorate’s operations (staff, systems) and other agencies may incur compliance costs responding to requests (s.23; s.71). Employers and parties who become the subject of investigations may face compliance costs, potential fines and criminal exposure (s.70; s.69A where relevant).\n\n- Who decides: the Commissioner runs the Inspectorate day‑to‑day and has delegation power (s.30–31); the Minister retains power to issue general directions except in limited areas (s.24). Regulations (Governor in Council) can expand the Inspectorate's remit (s.79).\n\n- Behavioural changes: workers may be more likely to report unlawful conduct if they have clearer protections and an accessible agency; employers may change record-keeping, subcontracting or dispute‑resolution practices to avoid referrals or penalties. False‑information rules (s.70) create an incentive to be careful when providing documents or statements.\n\n- Compliance burden and substitution effects: businesses, particularly in construction or public construction, may need to adapt internal compliance and engagement with contractors. Some complaints may be redirected from other agencies to the Inspectorate or vice versa (s.20(1)(k),(ib)).\n\n- Concentrated benefits and diffuse costs: the Act concentrates benefits (legal protection, centralized enforcement) for people who report, while costs (agency responses, business compliance) are spread across government and private actors. The Act gives the Inspectorate broad discretion to refer and share information (s.20(1)(k),(ib),(ic)), which can create points of leverage where specific sectors may face more scrutiny.\n\n- Implementation risks: successful operation depends on resourcing, agency cooperation, good data-sharing arrangements, and clear guidance (s.20(1)(f) — guidelines). The Act permits regulations to clarify scope (s.79), including which types of construction are treated as \"public construction\" (s.3 definition and s.79(1)(ab)).\n\n\nKey sections to note (quick reference)\n\n- Establishment and powers: s.19–21\n- Functions (education, enforcement, referrals, information sharing): s.20(1)\n- Commissioner appointment, tenure and powers: s.25–31\n- Anti‑detriment (whistleblower/retaliation) offence: s.69A\n- False or misleading information offence: s.70\n- Information requests from agencies: s.71\n- Confidentiality and exceptions: s.77\n- Regulations and scope of prescribing workplace entitlements/public construction: s.79; Pt 6 (ss.80–83) for transitional provisions\n\n"},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The scope appears to have expanded from the original intent. The Act was originally titled the 'Wage Theft Act 2020', suggesting a focused purpose of criminalising or penalising deliberate underpayment of workers. The rename to 'Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act 2020' indicates a broader mandate — the legislation now encompasses the full establishment and operation of a workforce compliance agency, going beyond wage theft alone to potentially cover a wider range of workplace law enforcement."},"complexity_factors":["The Act establishes a new government body, which involves understanding administrative and institutional law structures","Interplay between Victorian state law and the federal Fair Work framework requires careful navigation","Inspector powers (entry, search, evidence gathering) have specific legal thresholds and limitations that may be technically complex","The name change from 'Wage Theft Act' to 'Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Act' signals a broader mandate, adding interpretive uncertainty about scope","Limited detail is visible in the provided text, making full assessment of complexity difficult — consolidated versions may contain significant technical provisions not shown here"],"plain_english_summary":"The Act creates Workforce Inspectorate Victoria, a state agency empowered to investigate and enforce laws about pay and workplace entitlements. It affects workers who may be underpaid and employers in Victoria — giving inspectors powers to enter workplaces, examine records and, where deliberate underpayment is found, prosecute and penalise. The law matters because it provides a dedicated, stronger state mechanism to tackle wage theft and other pay-related non‑compliance."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/workforce-inspectorate-victoria-act-2020","history":"/api/acts/workforce-inspectorate-victoria-act-2020/history","analysis":"/api/acts/workforce-inspectorate-victoria-act-2020/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/workforce-inspectorate-victoria-act-2020/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/workforce-inspectorate-victoria-act-2020/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/workforce-inspectorate-victoria-act-2020/documents"}}