CAIRNS - Payroll Manager

Sea Swift; Australia; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Learning and development

Rewards and recognition program

Discounted health insurance

Salary sacrifice options

Collaborative team environment

Job summary

Sea Swift is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to oversee weekly and fortnightly payrolls for a workforce of 500+ across multiple sites in Australia. You will report to the CFO and ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with policies and legislation.

The role requires attention to detail, excellent stakeholder communication, and the ability to manage payroll processes across diverse teams. Based in Cairns, Brisbane or Darwin with full-time hours.

Qualifications

• Experience in a high-volume payroll position.
• Solid understanding of payroll legislation, taxation and superannuation requirements and enterprise agreements.
• Clear communication with employees, managers and stakeholders.
• Strong Excel and MS Office skills.

Responsibilities

• Process weekly and fortnightly payroll for 500+ staff.
• Accurately enter timesheets and leave requests.
• Complete payroll reconciliations and tax/superannuation processing.

Skills

High-volume payroll

Payroll legislation

Excel

Communication

Administration

HR3 experience

Tools

Payroll software

Job description

Excellent opportunity for a payroll professional who enjoys working in a dynamic environment, values accuracy, thrives as part of a supportive team

14th September, 2026

Payroll Manager
Full-Time
Based in Cairns, Brisbane or Darwin
Join a Team That Keeps Northern Australia Connected

Sea Swift is Northern Australia's largest shipping company, delivering essential marine transport and logistics services to remote communities across the region.

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Payroll Manager to join our Finance team and play a key role in ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll for our workforce.

This is an excellent opportunity for a payroll professional who enjoys working in a dynamic environment, values accuracy, and thrives as part of a supportive team.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, you will be responsible for the accurate processing of weekly and fortnightly payrolls for more than 500 employees while ensuring compliance with company policies and legislative requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Process weekly and fortnightly payroll for over 500 employees
• Accurately calculate and enter timesheets and leave applications
• Complete payroll reconciliations
• Manage superannuation with Pay Day Super, STP submissions, payroll tax and novated lease requirements within the payroll system
• Assist with annual payroll reporting obligations
• Respond to payroll queries and provide timely, accurate support to employees, managers and internal stakeholders
• Liaise with Human Resources to ensure employee information is maintained accurately
• Maintain payroll system parameters in line with operational and legislative requirements
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within payroll processes
• Support payroll audits and internal compliance reviews
• Update employee tax schedules in line with company tax governance standard

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

Skills & Experience

• HR3 experience being highly regarded
• Proven experience in a high-volume payroll position
• Strong understanding of payroll legislation, taxation and superannuation requirements and enterprise agreements
• A practical problem-solving style and the ability to communicate clearly with employees, managers and stakeholders
• High Microsoft Office skills, including Excel
• Excellent administration and organisational skills

Personal Attributes

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• High level of confidentiality and professionalism
• Commitment to workplace health, safety and environmental practices

Why Join Sea Swift?

At Sea Swift, our people are our greatest asset. We offer a supportive workplace along with a range of benefits, including:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Ongoing learning and development
• Employee rewards and recognition program
• Discounted health insurance
• Salary sacrifice options
• Supportive and collaborative team environment

Sea Swift is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace.