Darwin backpackers paid less than $5/hr

A Darwin business has been fined $15,000 for paying three French backpackers less than $5 an hour.

The backpackers were underpaid by about $17 an hour for more than two weeks' work with Scott's Painting Service between December 2013 and January 2014, the Fair Work Ombudsman says.

A fourth backpacker was paid less than $12 an hour for five days' work at the same company.

The Federal Circuit Court imposed the fine over the exploitation of workers on 417 working holiday visas and for refusing to back-pay almost $6000 in wages.