The Church of Scientology has asked the federal government of Australia to exempt it from the provisions of the Fair Work Act. The church cited its status as a legitimate religion as the reason why it sought exemption from having to pay its workers the minimum wage.

Reverend Mary Anderson, public affairs director of the church, explained that the concept of a fair day's pay for a fair day's work is okay, but it should not apply to religious volunteers whose focus are on the group's spiritual cause and not wages.

She added there are church volunteers who may not necessarily have taken a vow of poverty unlike members of some religious orders, but want to serve their church without focusing on financial reward. Ms Anderson said mandating a nonprofit group to pay wages based on benchmarks is a violation of human rights.

She clarified that she made the submission to Fair Work Australia (FWA) in her personal capacity, although she used the Church of Scientology's letterhead. Another spokeswoman of the group said an official submission was made to FWA but it was confidential.

Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Jeff Lawrence criticised the church of using the Fair Work Act review to push their views.

"This attitude that an employer should have complete free rein to pay and treat their staff however they want has no place in modern Australia," Mr Lawrence said in a statement.

The other spokeswoman said Ms Andersen's submission reflects to a small degree the church's past public statements, but the group opted to keep its official submission confidential so it would be spared from criticisms from groups that may seek to pre-empt the FWA review.

In 2011, the church was investigated by the Fair Work Ombudsman over claims that some of its volunteers were paid as little as $10 per week and worked up to 72 hours without break.

The High Court of Australia declared in 1983 the Church of Scientology as a religious institution and exempt from payroll tax. In November 2009, independent Senator Nick Xenophon used his parliamentary privilege to describe the group as a criminal organization.

The organization estimates it members in different countries to range from 8 to 15 million. The church has significant number of members in Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States where its global headquarters is located at Riverside County in California.

The first Scientology Church was incorporated in December 1953 in Camden, New Jersey by American science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. It has been the subject of different controversies such as doubts that more than a religion, it is a cult and commercial enterprise.

Some church members were convicted in 1979 for their involvement in the organisation's Operation Snow White, considered the largest theft of government documents in U.S. history.

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