Chinese backpacker paid $10 an hour

A Queensland restaurateur is facing a hefty fine after allegedly paying a Chinese backpacker just $10 an hour to wash dishes.

A Fair Work Ombudsman investigation into Tangalooma Island's Fire and Stone restaurant allegedly found owner Jia Ning Wang underpaid the female backpacker, in her 20s, by at least $11 per hour over 19 days last year.

Mr Wang had already been placed on notice by the ombudsman and now he and his company Golden Vision Food and Beverage Services are facing combined potential penalties of more than $60,000.