Fair Work Ombudsman has launched second legal action against Melbourne dental practice after allegedly underpaying another 457 visa holder.
Nobrace Centre Pty Ltd and its former part-owner and operator, Dr Ari Masters, who formerly operated the No Brace Centre dental clinic in the Melbourne CBD are facing the Federal Circuit Court.
The legal action relates to a South Korean national, then aged in his late 20s, who was allegedly underpaid a total of $36,693 for work he performed as a dental technician at the clinic between March 2012 and February 2014.
Nobrace allegedly paid the worker, who it was sponsoring on a 457 visa, a flat rate of $15 per hour over the course of his employment.
It is the second time the Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against the Nobrace Centre Pty Ltd and Dr Masters.
In 2015, the Fair Work Ombudsman commenced legal action alleging a Korean dental technician on a 457 visa at the Nobrace clinic in the Melbourne CBD was underpaid more than $66,000. The matter is still before the Federal Circuit Court in Melbourne, with a hearing set for August 1.
“We know that visa-holders can be particularly vulnerable in the workplace and we take very seriously any allegations relating to the exploitation of overseas workers.” Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James says.
