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.
On 16 April 2026, the Court approved the settlement. The approval of the settlement means that all remaining claims any Group Member may have against Wilson Security in these proceedings are dismissed (excluding any claims in relation to workers compensation).
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$915,000 (inclusive of GST) in respect of legal costs and disbursements; and
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$87,530 for administrations costs.
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Wilson Security is to pay the settlement sum to Adero Law within 21 days from 16 April 2026, being 7 May 2026;
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The settlement administrator will:
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pay, out of the settlement sum and prior to the distribution of settlement entitlements to Group Members, the legal costs and administration costs;
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calculate the settlement entitlements according to the calculation principles contained in the Scheme;
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issue settlement statements to Group Members stating the settlement entitlement;
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obtain and confirm bank account details of Group Members for payment of the settlement entitlement;
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distribute the settlement entitlements; and
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notify the Court and Wilson Security of the conclusion of the settlement once payments have been made.
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On Friday, 27 March 2026, we attended the Settlement Approval Hearing before Justice Colvin. It was also attended by the solicitors of Wilson Security and Argos Legal who is representing Mr Pita Awatere Te Tau O Te Rangi as an Objector.
During the Hearing, the Court heard three Interlocutory Applications.
The first Interlocutory Application was in relation to Ms Nicole Johnson substituting Mr Awatere Te Tau O Te Rangi as the representative party in the proceeding. We confirm that the Court approved Ms Johnson’s application which means that Ms Johnson is presently the Lead Applicant in this Proceeding.
The second Interlocutory Application was in relation to Mr Awatere Te Tau O Te Rangi seeking leave to be heard as an Objector in relation to an issue of costs, and the Court also approved his application.
As the Lead Applicant, Ms Johnson sought orders pursuant to the third interlocutory hearing which was that the Court approve the Proposed Settlement, on the same terms that you have been previously notified which includes:
• the Settlement Sum of $3,050,000;
• deduction of $915,000 from the Settlement Sum for Adero Law’s Legal Costs (we note that this represents 30% of the Net Recovery (being $3,050,000) which was agreed to ensure that the Group Members were able to receive a higher share of the Settlement Sum); and
• deduction of $87,530 from the Settlement Sum for Administration Costs. We note these costs are separate to legal costs and are in relation to the administration costs for administering the settlement.
In addition to the above, a further deduction of $45,000 from the Settlement Sum was sought, to cover the fees for the opinion of Mr Lachlan Armstrong KC.
Mr Armstrong KC’s opinion was obtained on behalf of Mr Awatere Te Tau O Te Rangi and the Group Members to consider whether the Proposed Settlement is fair and reasonable. Mr Armstrong KC’s opinion came to the view that the Proposed Settlement was a “good outcome” and that it is fair and reasonable to the Group Members.
At the end of the Hearing, Justice Colvin reserved his judgment. This means that the Court did not make any orders or judgment on the day of the Hearing. However, Justice Colvin will provide a written judgment in the near future.
We are unable to give you the exact date of when this written judgment will be provided. However, we will update you once the Judgment has been delivered by the Court.
On 15 September 2025, the parties attended an informal mediation in Melbourne which resulted in an agreement being reached to settle the class action.
If the Settlement is approved by the Court, the Class Action will be dismissed, and Group Members may receive a payment from the Settlement Sum.
If you have any questions please contact Adero Law at
[email protected].
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.