Payroll Officer

Tablelands Regional Council

About the position

• Process, review and validate timesheets, claims, leave applications, payroll transactions and employee entitlements, identifying, investigating and resolving discrepancies prior to payroll processing in accordance with relevant Awards, Certified Agreement, legislation, Council policies, procedures and delegated authorities, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and compliance.
• Deliver accurate and timely payroll services through effective planning, prioritisation and management of competing workloads, deadlines and payroll processing cycles, exercising sound judgement and initiative in the resolution of routine and complex payroll matters.
• Respond to payroll enquiries from employees, leaders, external stakeholders and regulatory bodies, providing accurate, timely and customer-focused advice within legislative, industrial and organisational frameworks.
• Maintain accurate electronic personnel and payroll records, ensuring documentation is managed, retained and disposed of in accordance with legislative requirements, Council policies and records management standards.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of payroll legislation, taxation, superannuation, industrial instruments, Council employment frameworks and payroll systems to ensure compliant and accurate payroll outcomes.
• Apply advanced working knowledge of Council’s payroll and HRIS systems, including TechnologyOne, to investigate issues, resolve exceptions, maintain data integrity and support efficient payroll operations.
• Undertake Payroll Advisor responsibilities as required (higher duties applicable), including end-to-end payroll processing, payroll reconciliations, payroll verification, exception management, reporting and stakeholder liaison, ensuring continuity of service and minimal disruption during planned and unplanned absences.
• Independently investigate and resolve complex payroll issues and exceptions, escalating matters appropriately where risks, compliance concerns or decision-making authority require higher-level intervention.
• Support the Payroll Advisor by maintaining efficient payroll operations and proactively managing day-today payroll activities, enabling a focus on strategic initiatives, system improvements, compliance activities and service enhancement.
• Contribute to payroll compliance activities, internal audits and risk management processes, identifying potential compliance issues and implementing corrective actions to minimise organisational risk.
• Identify and contribute to continuous improvement opportunities across payroll systems, processes, controls and procedures, promoting efficiency, accuracy, compliance and service excellence.
• Participate in payroll-related projects, system upgrades, testing activities and the implementation of legislative, industrial and organisational changes affecting payroll operations.
• Undertake other duties as reasonably directed, consistent with the skills, competence and classification requirements of the position.

Who we are looking for

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

1. Demonstrated experience in the accurate and timely processing of payroll in a complex environment, ensuring compliance with relevant industrial instruments, Certified Agreements, Awards, taxation and superannuation legislation, and Council policies and procedures.
2. Sound knowledge and application of payroll legislation, industrial relations frameworks and local government employment conditions, with the ability to interpret and apply Awards and Certified Agreements to ensure compliant payroll outcomes.
3. Proven experience using integrated payroll/HRIS systems (preferably TechnologyOne), including maintaining accurate employee records, resolving payroll discrepancies, and ensuring data integrity across payroll processes.
4. Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, meet strict and recurring payroll deadlines, and exercise sound judgement and initiative in a high-volume, time-sensitive local government environment.
5. Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate and resolve complex payroll matters independently, apply appropriate escalation pathways, and ensure accurate and compliant outcomes.
6. Demonstrated ability to provide responsive and professional payroll support and advice to employees, supervisors and internal stakeholders, and to effectively perform higher duties to support payroll continuity, operational requirements and service delivery standards.

How to apply

Relevant links and additional information

https://tablelands.applynow.net.au/jobs/TRC953-payroll-officer