The $50,000 Crust Pizza

Scott,

My 22-year-old daughter worked at a Crust Pizza store. They owe her $2,500 in unpaid super. She did everything right: approached the owners, contacted head office, then reported it to the ATO. Everyone said it would be paid. It wasn’t. The ATO’s response? Basically bad luck. How can employers legally be required to pay super, yet face zero consequences when they don’t? What can she do?

Wendy

Hi Wendy,

She’s in good company.

Around 2.8 million Aussies get dudded on super every year. 

The figures burn like a Mexican pizza: $100 million doesn’t get paid each week.

Worse, the system’s a joke: most employers don’t even cop a fine.

However, from July 2026, bosses must pay super within seven days of wages or face real penalties.

(Or so says the Minister’s press release.).

Now what can you do?

You’ve done everything you can … so maybe I can add a couple of jalapenos to the mix.

After all, that $2,500?

It would have compounded for 45 years and be worth as much as $50,000 at her retirement!

So here’s what your daughter should tell every 22-year-old she knows: check your super fund directly – not your payslip. Payslips show what should be paid, not what actually lands. Trust no one. Check everything!

Oh, and a note to Crust Pizza’s media communications executive who is reading this right now:

There’s nothing gourmet about wage theft.

Pay the kid the damn money!

Send me an email (scott@barefootinvestor.com) and I’ll give you the details.

Go on, earn your crust, and I’ll report back next week.