Former Newcastle restaurant operators face court
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against the former operators of a Thai restaurant in New South Wales, alleging they failed to make superannuation payments and breached workplace laws when trying to cover it up.
Facing the Federal Circuit and Family Court are Greathunter Pty Ltd, which operated Larnna Thai restaurant in Newcastle until it closed in 2026, and the company’s sole director and manager, Chengda Li.
The Fair Work Ombudsman investigated Greathunter Pty Ltd as part of a campaign targeting Newcastle food outlets.
The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges it discovered that Mr Li was involved in Greathunter failing to make superannuation payments to three employees, as required under the Restaurant Industry Award 2020.
The company had engaged the employees at Larnna Thai for various periods between November 2021 and October 2023. The FWO alleges no superannuation payments were made for any of their work at the time required.
The alleged non-payment of superannuation has been rectified by Greathunter by the company making more than $23,000 in superannuation payments to the employees in 2025, long after the FWO commenced its investigation.
One of the employees was a Thai international student and another was a young worker, aged 19 to 21 at the time. Two of the employees were engaged as cooks and one performed waiter and front-of-house duties.
It is alleged that Mr Li and Greathunter also breached the Fair Work Act by knowingly or recklessly providing false pay slips to the Fair Work Ombudsman during its investigation on two separate occasions stating that the superannuation entitlements had been paid.
Mr Li and Greathunter allegedly also committed a further breach by falsely telling the Fair Work Ombudsman that the pay slips had been prepared by Greathunter’s accountant, when they had in fact been prepared by Mr Li.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said the alleged conduct warranted litigation.
“Allegedly failing to pay superannuation and trying to cover it up with false pay slips and other false information is completely unacceptable conduct,” Ms Booth said.
“We are committed to taking action to protect vulnerable workers in this country and ensure that employers who breach the law are held to account,” Ms Booth said.
“Our experienced inspectors will see through false information. Employers need to be aware that we treat such alleged blatant breaches seriously, and penalties can follow.
“Employers should also be aware that taking action to protect young and migrant workers and improve compliance in the fast food, restaurants and cafés sector are priorities for the FWO.
“Any workers with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance.”
The FWO is seeking penalties in court. Greathunter Pty Ltd faces penalties of up to $93,900 per breach and Mr Li faces penalties of up to $18,780 per breach.
A directions hearing is listed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Sydney on 10 July 2026.
Current federal laws require superannuation to be paid by employers within 28 days after the end of the quarter in which the earnings were paid.
It is noted that from 1 July 2026, employers need to pay superannuation contributions at the same time they pay their employees’ wages.
The Fair Work Ombudsman filed 171 litigations against employers involving visa holder workers, and secured $39 million in penalties in cases that have included visa holder workers, in the eight financial years to June 2025.
Fair Work Ombudsman, 21st May 2026
