Portable, a design and technology company dedicated to social good, is proud to announce that it has been awarded $1,100,000 through the Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII) grant. This funding will accelerate the development of Sweep, Portable's innovative platform designed to detect and prevent underpayments in Australian businesses.
Portable’s CEO, Andrew Apostola says that the BRII grant will provide a stepping stone for the launch and expansion of the product in Australia.
“It’s clear that underpayments in Australia and globally won’t resolve themselves by legislation or awareness campaigns alone. The use of technology, especially AI, allows us to cut through this complexity and we’re really excited to be having this endorsement of BRII for us to move forward and solve very real problems.”
Addressing the challenge of underpayments
Underpayments remain a significant issue across Australia, affecting employees and employers alike. Navigating complex regulations and the award system poses challenges for businesses of all sizes, leading to potential underpayments and disputes. Manual processes and ever-changing laws mean underpayments can happen at any time, no matter how well-intentioned the business. When issues do arise, it can be difficult to engage in constructive conversations and identify effective solutions. As of 1 January 2025, intentional underpayment of wages or entitlements is now a criminal offence. Prosecution can result in monetary fines, prison time, or both.
Introducing Sweep: A digital solution to underpayments
Over the past four years, Portable has been developing Sweep, a digital platform that empowers employers and employees to identify potential problems in the workplace, establish fair working conditions, and resolve wage disputes. Sweep simplifies pay monitoring processes and facilitates interactions with guidance on the latest employment law standards.
Sweep support for workers:
Sweep will help you chat with your employer about your workplace conditions and resolve any potential disputes around underpayment and entitlements before they blow out and become serious. Designed with lawyers, Sweep is guided by up-to-date employment law standards and helps you know what your rights are. At any time, you can download your payslip data to check that you’re being paid correctly. Sweep is reimagining the employee payslip as a digital tool to detect and eliminate wage theft in real-time. It gives you the ability to understand how much you're getting paid and identify issues.
Support for business owners:
Part of running your own business means that it is your responsibility to ensure your contracts, wages, and employee entitlements meet the often-changing requirements of your industry awards and legislation. Failing to do so can result in disputes between employees and employers and may lead to serious penalties if not resolved appropriately. Sweep’s technology monitors for wage theft by connecting payroll and award data, making it easier for employers to audit and address these issues as they arise.
Leveraging the BRII Grant for Further Development
The BRII grant is a highly competitive program supporting Australian businesses in developing innovative solutions to government-identified challenges. Portable's selection for this funding underscores the potential of Sweep to make a meaningful impact in promoting fair work practices and compliance.
With this financial support, Portable plans to:
- Enhance Sweep's capabilities to address emerging challenges in wage compliance.
- Improve the platform's interface and functionalities based on user feedback and technological advancements.
- Collaborate with businesses across various industries to validate Sweep's effectiveness in diverse settings.
- Develop strategies to scale Sweep for broader adoption across multiple sectors, benefiting a wider range of employers and employees.
About Portable
Portable is a design and technology company working for social good. With a focus on areas like mental health, justice, environment, and more, Portable seeks to create transformational change through research, design, and technology.
Looking Ahead
Receiving the BRII Grant marks a significant milestone for Portable. It reinforces the company's mission to revolutionise industry standards and promote fair working conditions. Over the next 12 to 24 months, Portable will work closely with stakeholders, industry experts, and government partners to refine and deploy Sweep at scale.
For more information or collaboration inquiries, reach out to Portable or visit https://www.sweepwages.com.au/.
This project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources through the Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII) Program.
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