Officer - Audit and Compliance

Aboriginal Hostels; Australian Capital Territory; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL) invites applications for an APS Level 4 Officer within the People Branch. The role focuses on payroll, validations, and compliance services to ensure accurate payments and timely reporting.

You will support payroll calculations, data validation, and documentation for audits, while providing frontline helpdesk support as needed. You will work in a small, collaborative team, applying attention to detail, clear communication, and a service-oriented mindset to assist

Qualifications

• Essential: At least 6 months HR experience with payroll or compliance.
• Desirable: Experience working in an APS or similar environment.
• Desirable: Qualifications in Human Resources or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to audit and compliance activities within the People Branch.
• Manage general staff queries and ensure accurate responses or referrals.
• Assist with payroll calculations to confirm compliance and accuracy.
• Lead small-scale audit and compliance projects (e.g., employee overpayments).
• Provide backup support to the People Branch Helpdesk and ensure continuity of service.

Skills

Organisational skills

Data handling

Team collaboration

Clear communication

Attention to detail

Education

HR qualifications

APS familiarity

Tools

Aurion payroll system

Payroll software

Job description

AHL is a not-for-profit Commonwealth company dedicated to providing culturally safe and affordable accommodation for First Nations people who need to be away from home to access services and economic opportunities. AHL is committed to improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for First Nations people through a national network of over 40 hostels across Australia.

We offer more than just a job; we provide an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. By joining our team, you'll contribute to AHL’s vision to improve the quality of life and economic opportunity for First Nations people. You'll work alongside passionate colleagues striving for positive social change.

AHL is a not-for-profit Commonwealth company dedicated to providing culturally safe and affordable accommodation for First Nations people who need to be away from home to access services and economic opportunities. AHL is committed to improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for First Nations people through a national network of over 40 hostels across Australia.

We offer more than just a job; we provide an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. By joining our team, you'll contribute to AHL’s vision to improve the quality of life and economic opportunity for First Nations people. You'll work alongside passionate colleagues striving for positive social change.

The key duties of the position include:

As the APS Level 4 Officer - Audit and Compliance, People Branch in the People Audit and Compliance team, you will provide essential administrative and operational support to ensure the smooth delivery of payroll and people services, validations, audit and compliance services.

Your work will help ensure staff queries are addressed efficiently, calculations are accurate, and smaller tasks and projects are delivered on time. You will contribute to key initiatives such as payroll processing validation checks, leave and superannuation calculations, and assist with the transition of manual information into AHL’s new payroll system, Aurion.

This role also provides backup support to the People Branch Helpdesk on a needs basis to assist with ticket uploads for variations to pays and answering phones or general queries – ensuring continuity of service and critical client services for all staff on People Branch based issues.

This role requires attention to detail, technical knowledge, and client services focus, ensuring that trust in our People Branch services is maintained while providing seamless communication and handovers to specialist areas when needed.

Our Ideal Candidate

You will be an organised, proactive individual who enjoys supporting others to achieve results. You bring strong administrative skills, an eye for detail, and the confidence to manage competing priorities. You will be comfortable working with data and calculations, and you can communicate clearly and professionally with staff and stakeholders from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. You are a team player who thrives in a collaborative environment and are keen to build your skills in audit and compliance functions. You are also no deterred or disheartened by manual and/or paper-based documentation or legacy processes in the face of finding facts and seeking solutions

As a Support Officer

• Provide administrative support to audit and compliance activities within the People Branch.
• Manager general queries, ensuring timely and accurate responses or referral to the appropriate team members.
• Assist with basis payroll calculations to confirm compliance and accuracy of calculations and payments.
• Manager smaller scale audit and compliance projects and processes (such as employee overpayments) that contribute to audit and compliance outcomes.
• Provide backup support to the People Branch Helpdesk functions as required to ensure continuity of services during critical periods.
• Assist in the preparation of documentation, correspondence, and records to support audits and compliance checks.
• Help maintain accurate records and data for processing and compliance reporting.
• Assist with documentation gathering for AHL external audit reviews.
• Draft routine correspondence to internal stakeholders using clear, professional, and culturally sensitive communication.
• Assist with the collation of data and information for Freedom of Information and other requests.
• Assist with audit of personal files (both physical and digital) and locations for a clear understanding of compliance of storage and accessibility.
• Contribute to process improvements and provide suggestions to improve administration efficiency and staff experience.
• Assist with other suitable functions as required.

Key Capabilities

• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing tasks and deadlines.
• Confidence in handling routine calculations and working with data accurately.
• Collaborative approach and willingness to support colleagues in a small, high performing team.
• Confidence engaging with staff and stakeholders in a respectful, culturally appropriate way. Ability to explain payroll or compliance matters in plain language.
• Proactive attitude in managing routine queries and tasks.
• Flexibility to assist with changing priorities, including small projects, helpdesk coverage etc.
• Ability to draft clear, accurate correspondence and reports.
• Ability to work with legacy systems and support AHL through system change.
• A commitment to integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Eligibility

• Be an Australian Citizen.
• Undergo a Satisfactory National Criminal History Check (prior to engagement).
• Meet Fitness for Duty requirements (prior to engagement).

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• At least 6 months Human Resources (HR) experience, with experience in payroll or compliance roles.

Desirable:

• Experience working in an APS or similar environment.
• Qualifications in Human Resources, or a related field.

Getting to know the Aboriginal Hostels Limited

Our purpose is to provide culturally safe and affordable accommodation for First Nations people who need to be away from home to access services and economic opportunities. Across our network of hostels, dedicated AHL staff provide accommodation and meals for residents in a culturally safe and supportive environment. We have a strong network of relationships with other organisations, including First Nations organisations. This network both refers residents to AHL and works alongside AHL to support residents to meet their needs. We are proud to be one of the largest employers of First Nations people in the Australian Public Service, First Nations employees make up over 40% of our workforce. Working with us will provide you with a chance to contribute to improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for First Nations people.