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Mecca hit with $600k fine for failing to lodge financial reports on time

Australian cosmetics giant Mecca has been handed an almost $600,000 fine for failing to lodge audited financial reports on time.

Mecca's associated companies, Mecca Brands Pty Ltd, Mecca Brands NZ Pty Ltd, and parent company RTH Pty Ltd, have each paid $198,000 in infringement notices after being accused of late lodgements by the corporate watchdog.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said Mecca did not lodge audited financial reports for the year ended 28 December 2024, which were due on April 25, 2025.

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AFR GEN23 Generics Retail shopping and shoppers, Sale signs Wednesday 10th September 2025 Melbourne Photo by Eamon Gallagher

"Three large proprietary companies associated with the Mecca group have paid $594,000 in infringement notices after allegedly failing to lodge audited financial reports on time," the regulator said in a statement.

"ASIC began inquiries with Mecca in July 2025, and the companies lodged their financial statements shortly after being contacted by ASIC."

ASIC noted that payment of an infringement notice is "not an admission of guilt or liability, and the companies are not regarded as having been convicted of the alleged offence".

In a statement, a spokesperson for Mecca said it acknowledged the infringement notice handed down by ASIC.

"We have never disputed that some of our filings were submitted later than required and we take our reporting obligations seriously," the spokesperson said.

"We have worked constructively with ASIC and our auditors to address these delays and have strengthened our internal processes to ensure timely lodgement going forward.

"This matter is now resolved.

"As a private company, we remain committed to meeting our regulatory obligations with the same discipline we apply across all areas of our business."

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AFR AFR Mecca A story about how some building work hoardings have gone up around part of the facade of the new Mecca super store in Melbourne's Bourke Street mall. But these have gone up only a few months after the grand opening and lengthy delays in refurbishing the building. Monday 9th February 2026 Melbourne Photo by Eamon Gallagher

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Large proprietary companies like Mecca are legally obliged to lodge financial reports to ensure creditors and other stakeholders can remain informed about business operations.

A total of 12 large proprietary companies received fines for allegedly failing to lodge their FY24 audited financial reports on time, ASIC said.

"ASIC reminds the directors of large proprietary companies and other entities with financial reporting obligations that they need to proactively review their reporting obligations and ensure financial reports are lodged in a timely manner," ASIC Commissioner Kate O'Rourke said.

"We also remind auditors of these entities to notify ASIC if they are aware or suspect that a company is not complying with its lodgement obligations."

Mecca was founded in Melbourne in 1997 by Jo Horgan.

Its parent company, RTCH, is run by Horgan and her husband Peter Wetenhall.

Mecca has 110 locations around Australia and New Zealand and opened its flagship store on Melbourne's Bourke Street last year.

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