The Fair Work Ombudsman will commence audits of about 600 fast food outlets across the country this month as part of a national campaign.

Fair Work Inspectors will check employers are paying employees their minimum entitlements, including minimum hourly rates, penalty rates and overtime rates, and are complying with their record-keeping and pay slip obligations.

Fast food outlets throughout Australia will be audited, at locations including:

QLD: Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Townsville.

NSW/ACT: Canberra, Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Lismore, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, and Wollongong.

VIC: Melbourne, Bendigo, and Geelong.

SA: Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Port Augusta, Port Pirie, and Whyalla.

WA: Perth, Albany, Broome, Bunbury, and Geraldton.

NT: Darwin and Alice Springs.

TAS: Hobart, Burnie, Devonport, Launceston, and Ulverstone.

Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said the fast food sector was being focused on because it employs a large number of young workers and generates a significant number of complaints to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

“Young workers can be vulnerable if they aren’t aware of their workplace rights or are reluctant to complain, so it’s important we are proactive about checking they are receiving their full lawful entitlements,” James said.

As part of the campaign, the Fair Work Ombudsman wrote to more than 7000 fast food operators in October last year to highlight the free resources at www.fairwork.gov.au/fastfood to help them comply with workplace laws.

The focus on fast food businesses is the third stage of a wider three-year campaign looking at wages and conditions in the hospitality industry.

As part of the industry-wide campaign, the Fair Work Ombudsman focused similar educational activities on accommodation providers, pubs, taverns, and bars in 2012 and on cafes, restaurants, and caterers last year.