Editor’s note: Correction and apology to Chief Group Services

An editor’s note in response to an article published on HR Leader.

On 2 October 2026, HR Leader published an article titled “Cleaning, security provider owes $15m in payroll tax, tribunal says” concerning proceedings involving Chief Group Services before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

We acknowledge that the article incorrectly characterised approximately $15 million as a payroll tax debt owed by Chief Group Services.

The tribunal’s judgment records that $14,851,949.16 represented monies paid to contractors, which Revenue NSW considered to constitute wages for the purposes of the employment agency provisions of the Payroll Tax Act 2007 (NSW).

The article also incorrectly stated that Chief Group Services had “failed to shake loose” a $15 million payroll tax debt and incorrectly referred to “employment contracts” rather than the statutory concept of “employment agency contracts”.

We acknowledge that these descriptions did not accurately reflect the findings and amounts recorded in the tribunal’s judgement.

We apologise to Chief Group Services for the inaccurate reporting of the judgment, particularly the nature and quantum of the liability.

The original article has been removed.

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