In a significant win for ALDI workers, the Federal Court has approved a major settlement in the SDA’s Class Action against ALDI, bringing the total remediation to an expected $55.2 million dollars.
In a judgment handed down on 23 October 2026, the Federal Court approved the settlement covering approximately 32,300 current and former ALDI employees across Australia.
This follows years of legal action over unpaid work performed by employees before and after their rostered shifts.
For too long, workers across the retail industry have been expected to undertake tasks before or after their rostered shifts without being properly compensated.
This is a significant victory for tens of thousands of ALDI workers who deserve to be paid for every minute they work.
Unlike many class actions, workers will not have any legal fees or litigation funding commissions deducted from their settlement entitlements.
Which workers at ALDI are covered by this?
This covers 32,300 current and former ALDI workers.
The group members are those who, in Australia, were employed by ALDI as:
- a store employee at any time between 27 October 2017 and 23 March 2023; or
- a warehouse employee at any time between 27 October 2017 and 30 October 2022
How do I register for the ALDI settlement?
The SDA and ALDI are finalising arrangements to implement the settlement, including a registration portal for former employees.
Current employees will not need to register.
Former employees will need to provide their details through the registration process to receive any payment they are entitled to.
ALDI will provide further information about registration, payment calculations and the payment process.
When will ALDI pay the settlement amount?
Under the Federal Court’s orders, ALDI is required to make settlement payments by 31 March 2027, or before the date the proceedings are dismissed, whichever is later.
The history of SDA proceedings against ALDI
- 2022: The SDA successfully pursued legal proceedings against ALDI in the Federal Circuit and Family Court, establishing that certain pre-shift duties performed by warehouse employees constituted work that must be paid.
- 2023: Following that decision, ALDI commenced a remediation program for affected warehouse and store employees, ultimately paying approximately $28.9 million.
- October 2023: The SDA identified significant gaps in ALDI’s voluntary remediation program, including thousands of former employees who had received no payment. The SDA commenced and funded a national class action and civil penalty proceedings.
- 23 October 2026: The Federal Court approved the settlement in Boi v Aldi Foods Pty Ltd [2026] FCA 1576, covering approximately 32,300 current and former employees and expected to bring ALDI’s total remediation liability to approximately $55.2 million.
This outcome demonstrates the importance of strong unions in holding major employers accountable and ensuring workers receive their full legal entitlements.