The Melbourne Magistrates' Court has fined a company and its director a total of $59,000 for misleading consumers into enrolling in training courses that were advertised as job advertisements.
Ljupco (Lou) Petrovski, 52, of Preston, and DNL Security Australia Pty Ltd (ACN: 085 599 631) were each charged with 59 offences under the Australian Consumer Law (Victoria), including 46 of engaging in conduct likely to mislead people seeking employment.
Consumer Affairs Victoria took action against Mr Petrovski and the company after we received complaints that the advertisements for employment were published as a means of attracting people to enrol in training and other employment-related services. This is commonly known as ‘bait and switch’ advertising.
Between February 2014 and July 2015, DNL Security Australia published 46 advertisements for employment on the website jobsearch.gov.au. In promoting its services, the company and Mr Petrovski were found to have made various false and misleading representations to candidates, including that:
- they had approval to act as a recruiter on behalf of specific employers
- they guaranteed wage rates for successful candidates, and
- their training was approved by Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Mr Petrovski and his company also failed to supply training and employment services.
Mr Petrovski was fined $26,550 and ordered to provide refunds of $430, while DNL Security Australia was fined $32,450. Mr Petrovski and the company were each ordered to pay costs of $1,360.
We have taken previous action against Mr Petrovski and his company. For more information, view our DNL Security Australia Pty Ltd, Skilltopia Pty Ltd, and Natasha Petrovska and Lou Petrovski - Court action page.