Wilson Security

On 27 October 2022, Adero Law filed proceedings against Wilson Security, alleging that it underpaid Security Officers at sites operated by Woodside Petroleum in Karratha WA. The class action involves alleged contraventions of the Fair Work Act 2009 and the Security Services Industry Award 2020 (prior to 18 June 2020, this award was titled the Security Services Industry Award 2010) in respect of a failure to pay all hours worked, appropriate penalty rates, to provide ‘long breaks’ and misclassification of the appropriate grade level.

Latest Update

On 4 December 2023, the Honourable Justice Colvin made Orders for the parties to have a mediation no later than 28 June 2024 and the Group Members to opt-out or register their interest to participate in the mediation by 11:59pm (AWST) on 29 January 2024.
On 25 October 2024, 27 May 2025 and 15 September 2025, we attended mediations with Wilson Security to seek to settle the claim. The Parties have agreed that there remains utility in continuing discussions to seek to reach a settlement to avoid the further time and cost of litigation.
Since the third mediation, we confirm discussions to seek to settle the class action remain ongoing. Should we come to the view that the mediation discussions are not going to assist with coming to a settlement and that continuing to engage in that process is no longer in the best interests of the Group Members, we will bring an end to the mediation process and seek to have the Court list the matter for a trial.
We are hopeful that a resolution can be reached through ongoing mediation discussions. Should a settlement be reached, it must be approved by the Court. This is to ensure that any settlement reached is fair and reasonable for all Group Members.

Who can be part of this class action?

To be part of the Wilson Security Class Action, you must have:

been employed by Wilson Security at any time between 31 March 2015 to 27 October 2022;
been covered by the Security Services Industry Award 2020 (prior to 18 June 2020, this award was titled the Security Services Industry Award 2010) (Awards);
was employed on a “full-time” or “part-time” basis; and
worked at sites operated by Woodside Petroleum, including the Karratha Gas Plant, Pluto LNG Park, King Bay Supply Base, and Burrup Material Facility.

Most group members would have received a notice from the Court by letter or email in December 2023. If you did not receive a notice from the Court but believe you are a group member, please feel free to contact us.

About the Class Action

On 27 October 2022, Adero Law filed a proceeding in the Federal Court of Australia against Wilson Security. The class action alleges Wilson Security failed to pay the relevant entitlements under the Fair Work Act 2009 and the Awards for part-time and full-time individuals who worked at the sites operated by Woodside Petroleum being the Karratha Gas Plant, Pluto LNG Park, King Bay Supply Base and Burrup Material Facility.

The main issues in the proceeding include:

Failure to provide ‘long breaks’;
Misclassification of appropriate grade level under the Awards;
Failure to pay ‘permanent night work’ rates; and
Failure to pay wages for 15-minute handover periods at the start of shifts.

Contact Details

WilsonSecurity@aderolaw.com.au
(02) 6189 1022

Case Materials

Notice to Group Members (PDF)

Further Amended Statement of Claim (PDF)

Defence (PDF)

Reply (PDF)

Amended Originating Application (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why register for the class action?

By registering to participate in the class action, you are expressing your interest in seeking compensation for the alleged underpayment by Wilson Security.

Adero encourages you to register. In the event that the case reaches a settlement, your registration allows Adero to contact you to ensure that, if you are eligible, Adero is able to notify you of anything further you are required to do to participate.

Once you have registered, we are also able to send you updates on the progress of the case.

What are my obligations at this stage?

The registration for participation in the mediation closed at 11:59pm (AWST) on 29 January 2024. However, you can still register your interest to participate in this class action. We will be in contact with you if we require any further information from you.

Does it cost anything to join a class action?

The class action is run on a no win, no fee basis. This means that if a class action is successful (i.e. if a settlement has been reached or there is an outcome is reached at a trial resulting in money being owed to group members), the legal fees and costs of running the class action are deducted from the settlement amount or from the amount arising from any judgment, subject to the Court’s approval. In the event that the class action is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay anything.

How does a class action work?

Although circumstances can vary, the general structure of a class action proceeding run by Adero Law is as follows:

A wrongdoing occurs that affects a group of people (claimants) in a similar way.

Adero’s Claim Origination team investigate the wrongdoing by conducting due diligence investigations and liaising with a lead claimant.

The claim is filed in Court.

Pleadings and other Court documents are finalised and filed with the Court.

Claimants have a chance to opt-out of the class action.

Evidence is compiled and the claim is prepared for trial.

If appropriate, mediation or settlement discussions take place between the parties.

If a settlement agreement is not reached, the claim proceeds to trial.

Once a settlement agreement has been reached, claimants are notified, and a timetable is put in place for any objections or submissions to be made ahead of a hearing.

A settlement hearing occurs.

If the settlement is approved, a distribution scheme will be implemented under the guidance of the Court.

Can I still register my interest if I am still an employee of Wilson Security?

Yes. You can join the class action even if you are a current employee of Wilson Security, as long as you can satisfy all of the following requirements:

employed by Wilson Security at any time between 31 March 2015 to 27 October 2022;
covered by the Security Services Industry Award 2020 (prior to 18 June 2020, this award was titled the Security Services Industry Award 2010);
employed on a “full time” or “part time” basis; and
worked at sites operated by Woodside Petroleum being the Karratha Gas Plant, Pluto LNG Park, King Bay Supply Base and Burrup Material Facility.

If you answered yes to the above, we encourage you to register for the Wilson Security Class Action.

Can my employer treat me differently if it thinks that I have joined a class action?

No. s 340 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) prevents employers from treating you differently for exercising your workplace rights. It is unlawful to punish an employee in any way for joining a class action. If you believe this has happened to you, contact us and we will promptly investigate.

Can I register my interest if I am no longer an employee of Wilson Security?

Yes. You can join the class action even if you are a former employee of Wilson Security, as long as you can satisfy all of the following requirements:

employed by Wilson Security at any time between 31 March 2015 to 27 October 2022;
covered by the Security Services Industry Award 2020 (prior to 18 June 2020, this award was titled the Security Services Industry Award 2010);
employed on a “full time” or “part time” basis; and
worked at sites operated by Woodside Petroleum being the Karratha Gas Plant, Pluto LNG Park, King Bay Supply Base and Burrup Material Facility.

If you answered yes to the above, we encourage you to register for the Wilson Security Class Action.

How will my name be kept confidential, and my privacy be managed?

Adero will not provide your details to Wilson Security or any third party without your consent. Adero adheres to Australian privacy principles and will store its data in its systems and will not use that material for any third-party purpose. That information is also subject to legal professional rules that Adero adheres to under the ACT rules, and as such you have rights as a consumer of a legal service.