How Audit-Ready Is Your Business?
15 questions. 2 minutes. Find out if you'd pass an FWA inspection.
Apr 2026
Fair Work Agency launched
12,831
enforcement visits in 2025
£130,000,000
in penalties issued
Do you have copies of every employee's Right to Work documents?
Weight: CriticalAre RTW checks completed before the employee's first day?
Weight: CriticalDo you know which documents expire in the next 30 days?
Weight: ImportantAre follow-up checks scheduled for time-limited right to work holders?
Weight: CriticalCould you produce a full audit report within 24 hours?
Weight: CriticalIs your checking process consistent across all hiring managers?
Weight: ImportantDo you track visa and BRP expiry dates automatically?
Weight: ImportantCould you show an auditor every check performed in the last 2 years?
Weight: CriticalDo you have a designated compliance officer or RTW lead?
Weight: Good practiceAre you prepared for the Fair Work Agency's enforcement powers?
Weight: ImportantDo you verify identity documents against the Home Office online checking service?
Weight: ImportantAre your RTW records stored securely with controlled access?
Weight: ImportantDo you have a process for when a follow-up check reveals an expired right to work?
Weight: CriticalCan you demonstrate you treated all candidates equally regardless of nationality?
Weight: ImportantDo you train new hiring managers on RTW procedures within their first month?
Weight: Good practiceCommon Questions About FWA Audits
The Fair Work Agency (FWA) is a new single enforcement body launched in April 2026, combining the enforcement powers of HMRC's National Minimum Wage unit, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EASI), and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA). It has broader inspection powers and can conduct unannounced visits to any employer.
An FWA audit typically involves inspectors requesting copies of all Right to Work documents, checking that follow-up checks have been completed for time-limited workers, reviewing your checking process for consistency, and verifying that records are stored securely. Inspectors can arrive unannounced and expect you to produce documentation quickly.
Civil penalties for employing an illegal worker are up to £45,000 per worker for a first offence and up to £60,000 for repeat offences. Beyond financial penalties, businesses risk criminal prosecution, sponsor licence revocation, reputational damage, and loss of contracts.
Each of the 15 questions is weighted based on its importance to audit compliance. Critical items like having RTW documents and completing pre-employment checks carry a weight of 3, important items carry a weight of 2, and good-practice items carry a weight of 1. Your percentage score is your total points divided by the maximum possible score of 33.
No. This is a general readiness indicator based on common compliance requirements, not a legal assessment. Audit standards may vary depending on your sector, the enforcement body involved, and specific circumstances. For legal advice, consult a qualified immigration or employment lawyer.
Don't wait for an inspection to find out
Certifyd Portal automates Right to Work checks, tracks every expiry date, and generates audit-ready reports in seconds — so you're always prepared.