Vic company fined for underpaying worker

A businesswoman who thought Australia's minimum pay rates were "just crazy" has been fined $228,000 for underpaying a vulnerable migrant worker.

A Chinese worker was underpaid almost $20,000 over eight months by Melbourne travel services company Grandcity Travel & Tour Pty Ltd, an investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman has found.

Businesswoman Na Xu told the ombudsman Australia's minimum pay rates were "triple the USA - just crazy" but a Federal Circuit Court judge disagreed, fining her and saying companies must meet their obligations.