Payroll officer job description
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed payroll officers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed payroll officers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Cooperative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Organising
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Analytical
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a payroll officer
Payroll officers are an integral part of financial services and work with small and large businesses alike.
So, what does a payroll officer do? A payroll officer’s duties can include:
- Maintaining accurate payroll records and timesheet data on accounting systems
- Assisting with month-end patrol duties
- Managing superannuation contributions
- Setting up new employee profiles
- Preparing payslips and annual payment summaries
- Liaising with ATO
- Being the point of contact for any payroll queries
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
Flexible hours
Like many roles in finance and depending on the employer’s needs, a role as a payroll officer can be worked full-time or part-time. Some businesses also offer flexible school hours.
Job security
As the accounting and financial services industry is set to grow over the next five years, there will be no shortage of job opportunities for payroll officers in Australia.
Learning opportunities
Chances to absorb financial knowledge from your peers abound in this role, which can lead you to gain more advanced skills and take on more senior opportunities.
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for a payroll officer
The job market for payroll officers in Australia has grown strongly over the last five years, with worker numbers approximately 48,300 in 2020.
The predicted continued industry growth in financial and accounting services, due to improved economic conditions and technological advancements, means a career as a payroll officer is a safe bet from here on out.
Median salary
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
Some payroll officers stay in this stable career long-term, but there are plenty of opportunities to progress into higher roles in financial or even other sectors entirely.
Some career path options for a payroll officer could be:
Junior
-
Accounts assistant
Most common qualification: Diploma of Accounting (FNS50217)
Mid
-
Accounts administrator
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Accounts Administration (FNS30317)
-
Bookkeeper
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping (FNS40217)
-
Payroll officer
Most common qualification: Diploma of Payroll Services (FNS50417)
Senior
-
Accountant
Most common qualification: Bachelor of Accounting
-
Accounting manager
Most common qualification: Advanced Diploma of Accounting (FNS60217)
-
Auditor
Most common qualification: Bachelor of Accounting
-
Chief financial officer (CFO)
Most common qualification: Master of Business Administration (MBA)
-
Tax accountant
Most common qualification: Bachelor of Accounting
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
Although fundamental financial process skills are needed for a role as a payroll officer, there are specific soft skills that, if possessed, can be an advantage to this career. Often these natural abilities are with us from birth or learned through other life or work experiences.
Important soft skills for a payroll officer:
Time management
Everybody needs to be paid on time. Good time management is crucial to a role as a payroll professional to ensure everything is in place for payment processes to run smoothly.
Problem-solving
Payroll services can involve many moving parts, and sometimes, discrepancies happen. A calm mind and a logical approach to problem-solving enable you to identify the issues and rectify them.
Communication
When working with clients or team members in a financial setting, good, clear communication is essential, so everyone is on the same page there are smooth processes within the business.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
The essential practical payroll skills can be learned through prior training and will develop as you work with various clients in the future.
Some technical skills for the job are:
General computer operation
Knowledge of payroll software systems
Administration of payroll and personal records
Application of accounting principles
Adhering to GST rules
Application of credit and debit rules
Identification of sustainability issues for the financial services industry
Compliance with legal requirements
Preparation of BAS
Bank reconciliation
Creation of manual journal entries
Superannuation payment processes
How to become a payroll officer
-
Study
Although formal payroll qualifications are not necessary to start work in this role, many employers require prior training through a payroll officer course of some kind. A course like a Diploma of Payroll Services (FNS50417) provides you with the necessary skills to get an entry-level role. You could also complete a certificate in accounts and administration and use this as a way to get experience in a financial position and a pathway into the payroll speciality.
-
Specific payroll system training
Extensive knowledge of the most widely used accounting software systems available is a clever and fast way of getting your head around payroll processes. Xero and MYOB courses offer extensive and advanced skills that easily fit into your busy lifestyle.
-
Further study
For a more comprehensive study into accounting processes, consider a Bachelor of Accounting. This degree course gives you the skills and knowledge for payroll services and dramatically improves your career pathway prospects.
Explore related qualifications
Preparing yourself for your new career as a payroll officer can be achieved in several ways. To give yourself the best chance of gaining an entry-level position, completing a qualification in payroll services will make you stand out from other candidates.
Certificate III in Accounts Administration
This course is perfect for those who wish to gain skills in financial data entry, processing accounts and payrolls, providing customer service in financial transactions, and producing financial reports.
It allows you to gain extensive experience in financial processes and be a pathway into a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping.
You may also be eligible for JobTrainer funding which may cover all or part of the course fees for learners that meet the requirements.
5 providers offer this course
Xero Accounting Certificate
A Xero Accounting Certificate equips learners with a robust understanding and practical knowledge of Xero to advance their payroll career.
The duration of the course is around 15 hours total. This course is flexible, self-paced and completed entirely online. Payment plans are usually a feature of these types of courses which allow you to spread the cost out over time.
1 providers offer this course
MYOB Advanced Certificate
An advanced course in MYOB gives a comprehensive overview of all of the processes used in MYOB, including payroll. Entirely online and self-paced, this course duration is approximately 40 hours and can be easily completed over several weekends or in the evening.
Payment plans are available from some course providers to help spread the cost of the course over time.
1 providers offer this course
Diploma of Payroll Services
The Diploma of Payroll Services offers the skills and knowledge you need to run a complete payroll management system, including establishing new systems, preparing salary payments, salary packaging and superannuation payments.
The average course duration is 18 months and can be studied full-time or part-time. This course can be studied online, face-to-face or a combination of both.
1 providers offer this course
Related subjects
Roles that have you financially supporting businesses are not limited to payroll services. There are plenty of other financial industry jobs that need enthusiastic and highly organised newcomers.
Discover these careers:
Reviews
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
- All
- Positive
- Negative
Ben
Nov 04 2021Get the weekly pay right and you're good.
What are the best parts of the job?
You just do the weekly wages correctly — and no one complains. It's not too difficult and the working conditions are nice.
What's the most challenging part?
The end of quarter BAS reports.
Hugo
Nov 04 2021Heavy workload in a nice environment.
What are the best parts of the job?
The work environment is nice, good office and nice colleagues.
What's the most challenging part?
The biggest challenge is how much of a workload there is.
Jordan
Nov 04 2021All good.
What are the best parts of the job?
it's good to work with my mates everyday.
What's the most challenging part?
I don't find anything that difficult.
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Job cluster: The Coordinator
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
Supporting businesses with payroll processes requires a keen eye for detail, impeccable time management and strong organisational skills. A job as a payroll officer would be best suited to the career persona of The Coordinator.
The Coordinator has a systematic approach to tasks and ensures every process is completed immaculately.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is payroll?
Payroll is the agreed compensation a business must pay to its employees for a set period or a given date.
What does a payroll officer do?
A payroll officer is responsible for calculating and administering wages and salaries to employees of a business. They also make sure tax and superannuation payments are completed accurately.
What is end-to-end payroll?
End-to-end payroll processing is a system that connects payroll and HR data in one platform making business payroll accounting more streamlined.
How much does a payroll officer earn?
In Australia, the average salary for a payroll officer is $74,984.00.
What makes a good payroll officer?
A good payroll officer has finely honed payroll services skills. They have great attention to detail, excellent communication skills, are approachable and very organised.