IAG Settles Payroll Discrepancies with $37M Worker Reimbursement
IAG Settles Payroll Discrepancies with $37M Worker Reimbursement
1
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
In a significant move to rectify payroll irregularities, Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has compensated its workforce to the tune of over $37 million.
This restitution is in adherence to an enforceable undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman, prompted by IAG's acknowledgment of past underpayments resulting from process deficiencies.
The comprehensive settlement package includes upwards of $21 million in wages, alongside additional sums for interest and superannuation. On this account, the entitlements cover the time span from 2013 to the previous year. Furthermore, about $16.2 million caters to long service leave under specific jurisdictional guidelines from 2013 to 2022.
Intertwined with the enforceable undertaking, and fostering a compliance-oriented culture, IAG will contribute $650,000 as a remorse payment to the Commonwealth Consolidated Revenue Fund. Notably, state and territory long service leave entitlements are delineated from the scope of the Fair Work Ombudsman, yet this sum entwines with IAG's wider redress blueprint.
Anna Booth, speaking on behalf of the Fair Work Ombudsman, highlighted that such an enforceable undertaking was befitting since IAG has launched a significant revamp of its systems, incorporating fixes for underpayments tracing back further than the six-year limitation threshold.
Two primary entities within IAG-Insurance Australia Group Services and Insurance Manufacturers of Australia-are a part of this enforceable agreement. Notably, the back-payments concerning federal laws average over $1000 per employee, while a handful received greater than $200,000, as reported by the ombudsman.
Geographically diverse, the underpaid group included IT professionals, support staff, front-line claim handlers, and call center employees as the common recipients of lesser payments. Likewise, roles such as admin workers, customer service providers, consultants and varying levels of management were also implicated.
Upon an internal analysis of its payroll procedure in December 2020, IAG self-declared non-compliance issues to the regulatory entity, a subsequent provision finding its way into the 2021 fiscal declarations. The insurer identified respective underpayments to both 6094 present staff and 14117 former employees across entitlements, including particular overtime allowances and contributions to superannuation.
The ombudsman conveyed that the underpayment spectrum spanned overtime, weekend, public holiday work, and varied allowances, such as minimum wage and leave rights. IAG, addressing the snags, attributed a primary cause to their earlier payroll system which hinged upon manual submissions for entitlement claims as opposed to automatic computations.
To steer clear of replicated issues, IAG has steered toward the adoption of enhanced controls and has devoted investments to a new time and attendance facility, promising automated entitlement computations, expected to be operational by September.
Commending IAG's dedication to improved board supervision-deemed amongst the most substantial commitments to any enforceable undertaking with the ombudsman-Anna Booth calls for a heightened focus on compliance at the corporate board level, urged by the onset of steeper penalties and criminal offense rules approaching the subsequent year.
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a significant policy change aimed at mitigating risks in the housing market. Effective February 2026, APRA will impose a cap on high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans, limiting such loans to 20% of new home lending portfolios. This measure is designed to address concerns over escalating property prices and the potential for financial instability. - read more
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), the nation's largest lender, has voiced concerns over the current surge in home loan demand, suggesting it may be contributing to escalating property prices and potential financial instability. CEO Matt Comyn emphasized that while the bank benefits from increased housing credit, a more moderate growth rate would better support long-term financial stability and housing market accessibility. - read more
Australia's 'Big Four' banks-Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), National Australia Bank (NAB), Westpac, and ANZ-are strategically reducing their reliance on mortgage brokers in response to squeezed profit margins resulting from lower interest rates, rising operational costs, and intense market competition. Currently, mortgage brokers account for approximately 80% of new home loans in Australia, a significant increase from 50% six years ago. However, banks are now focusing on more profitable, in-house mortgage origination channels. - read more
Recent analyses indicate that Australian home prices are set to rise by approximately 7% in 2026, an upward revision from earlier projections of 5.6%. This anticipated growth is primarily attributed to a constrained housing supply coupled with resilient demand, particularly in major urban centres such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. - read more
The Australian stock market has demonstrated remarkable resilience, with the S&P/ASX 200 index recording a 10.2% gain over the 2025 financial year. This performance comes despite a backdrop of global economic uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions and fluctuating commodity prices. - read more
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), the nation's largest lender, has expressed concerns about the current surge in home loan demand, suggesting it may be contributing to escalating property prices and potential financial instability. CEO Matt Comyn emphasized that while the bank benefits from increased housing credit, a more moderate growth rate would better support long-term financial stability and housing market accessibility. - read more
RAMS Financial Group, a subsidiary of Westpac Banking Corporation, has been fined A$20 million by Australia's Federal Court for serious misconduct in its home loan practices between June 2019 and April 2023. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) initiated the lawsuit, citing issues such as the use of falsified payslips to approve loans, engagement with unlicensed mortgage referrers, and inadequate oversight mechanisms. - read more
Australia's 'Big Four' banks-Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), Westpac, National Australia Bank (NAB), and ANZ-are strategically reducing their reliance on mortgage brokers in response to squeezed profit margins resulting from lower interest rates, rising operational costs, and intense market competition. Currently, mortgage brokers account for approximately 80% of new home loans in Australia, a significant increase from 50% six years ago. However, banks are now focusing on more profitable, in-house mortgage origination channels. - read more
In July 2025, Japanese banking giants Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) emerged as significant growth drivers in Australia's business lending sector. SMBC recorded a 4.66% increase in their business loan book, adding A$1.19 billion, while MUFG achieved a 3.63% expansion, contributing an additional A$0.62 billion. - read more
The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) has recently introduced its Finance Industry Code of Practice, marking a significant advancement in the non-bank lending and specialist banking sectors. This pioneering initiative aims to establish a new standard for integrity, transparency, and fairness within the industry. - read more
Your credit score is a crucial part of your financial health. Essentially, it’s a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, calculated based on your credit history. In Australia, credit scores range from 0 to 1200, with a higher score indicating better creditworthiness. - read more
Financial health refers to the state of one's personal financial situation. It encompasses a variety of factors, such as income stability, expenses control, savings, investments, and debt management. - read more
Financial stress is a common issue that affects a large portion of individuals, often due to unexpected expenses, unemployment, or a high cost of living. It can lead to both mental and emotional strain, influencing one's quality of life and decision-making abilities. Credit scores, a critical measurement of financial health, are used by lenders to evaluate the risk of lending money. - read more
Your credit score is more than just a number; it's a reflection of your financial health. Essentially, it’s a numerical expression that represents your creditworthiness. Lenders use this score to assess the level of risk involved in lending you money. - read more
Managing personal finances judiciously becomes paramount when dealing with loans and their repayments. A potential obstacle many encounter is preserving or enhancing their credit score while simultaneously undertaking the necessary financial commitments of loan repayments. Understanding how to navigate this terrain is vital to financial health. - read more
Embarking on the journey to secure a loan can feel like navigating a minefield with your credit score as the prize. It's no secret that your credit score is your financial fingerprint, impacting not just your loan prospects but also the terms you're offered. However, the act of loan hunting itself, if not done carefully, can take a toll on this crucial number. - read more
Understanding financial health is paramount when venturing into the realm of loan acquisition. It's the backbone that supports not just your immediate monetary requirements but ensures longevity in your fiscal stability. At the heart of this understanding lies a critical aspect: the credit score. It's a numerical representation of your financial trustworthiness, influenced by past fiscal decisions and behaviors. - read more
Loan approval can often be a crucial milestone in achieving your financial goals. Whether you're looking to buy a home, pay for education, or consolidate debt, securing a loan can provide the financial boost you need to move forward. - read more
As we navigate the complexities of today's economy, the significance of credit can scarcely be overstated. Whether we're considering a home mortgage, a new car, or managing our personal finances, our credit health often dictates the terms and accessibility of financial support. A robust credit score can open doors to favorable loan terms and rates, while a poor score can narrow our options and cost us more in the long run. - read more
Soft inquiries are a type of credit check that does not impact your credit score. These checks occur when you or a company reviews your credit report as part of a background check, pre-approval process, or other non-lending purpose. - read more
Need Help Finding a Loan?
Find out now if you qualify and compare
rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check!
All finance quotes are provided free and without obligation. We respect your
privacy.
Knowledgebase
Escrow: An arrangement in which a third party temporarily holds money or property until a particular condition has been met.