Compliance Activity is Stepping Up

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…and certified bookkeepers are stepping up with it. 

Operation Topaz is a joint compliance operation led by the Australian Taxation Office, the Fair Work Ombudsman and Home Affairs immigration compliance officers.  The operation focused on labour hire and agriculture businesses in the Gatton region of Queensland, with some matters remaining under review. 

While many businesses involved were able to demonstrate compliant practices, others faced significant liabilities, back payments and penalties.  “These findings highlight the important role held by certified bookkeepers in ensuring payroll accuracy, tax reporting, employee records and work-rights obligations.” 

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Red flags 

Operation Topaz revealed combined compliance shortcomings that should have been addressed with the attention of qualified bookkeepers. 

Several telltale signs that a payroll needs the attention of a certified bookkeeper are: 

  • Incorrect or outdated pay rates 

  • Unpaid overtime and public holiday rates 

  • Payslips missing required details or not issued on time 

  • Employee records incomplete or poorly maintained 

  • Super and tax errors resulting in large liabilities 

While agriculture and labour hire were the focus of this operation, these issues can arise for businesses across a diverse range of industries. 

What we can take from this 

Operation Topaz is part of a wider shift: agencies are working together more frequently, and their combined reviews identify gaps in payroll, record-keeping and tax compliance much faster than before. 

  • Compliance expectations are rising. 

  • Errors that used to go unnoticed are now being flagged quickly. 

  • Good systems are the strongest protection for businesses. 

When a compliance review occurs, strong records and clear processes usually mean less disruption and faster resolution. 

The importance of a certified bookkeeper 

Bookkeepers sit at the centre of this picture. We see payroll changes, staffing updates, and the patterns that signal when something is not aligning.  Our work helps prevent the exact issues Operation Topaz revealed. 

By keeping systems accurate and guiding clients when issues arise, certified bookkeepers help businesses avoid stress, back payments and unnecessary penalties.  The findings from Operation Topaz reinforce just how valuable that oversight is. 

Compliance activity is increasing, but businesses with good systems are in a strong position.  With the support of certified bookkeepers, issues can be identified early and corrected long before they become a problem. 

If you or your clients’ business compliance could benefit from the attention of a skilled and efficient certified bookkeeper, please get in touch with the team at QiBalance Bookkeeping.  We can support and work alongside you to stay across compliance requirements.  To see if our services are a good fit for your needs, please contact us at helo@qibalance.com.au or through the QiBalance Bookkeeping website.