Pay Auditing Specialist

The University of Adelaide; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 104,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Adelaide is seeking an analytical payroll professional for a 12-month fixed term contract based at City West Campus. You will join People & Culture to ensure payroll accuracy, strengthen controls, and drive compliance and continuous improvement across payroll processes.

You will partner with cross-functional teams and use data-driven insights to identify risks, deliver trusted payroll assurance, and support governance and legislative compliance for staff across the

Qualifications

• Experience in payroll functions with understanding of payroll controls.
• Experience in internal audit, assurance or related roles supporting audit activities.
• Ability to analyse complex data and apply payroll control frameworks.
• Ability to produce high-quality documentation and reports per audit standards.
• Experience with risk and control frameworks and handling sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Identify payroll risks and strengthen controls to improve accuracy and compliance.
• Help ensure payroll is processed accurately and in line with regulations and policy.
• Drive continuous improvement across payroll processes and governance.
• Collaborate with risk, audit and compliance teams to provide payroll assurance.
• Support cross-functional stakeholders with data-driven insights and reporting.

Skills

Payroll processes

Internal audit

Data analysis

Documentation

Risk controls

Job description

The University of Adelaide is a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaborations - offers you vast scope and...

• Based in in People & Culture at the City West Campus
• Full-time, 12-month fixed term contract
• Salary Range: $103,719 - $116,002 per annum (plus 17% superannuation)

At Adelaide University, we create the opportunities you need to achieve your ambitions – because when you thrive, we thrive.

We are transforming education for contemporary learners and global citizens. Building on a proud legacy and shaped by bold ambition, it’s a place of excellence and equity, where our vibrant community of staff are united by our purpose to inspire Australia’s future change‑makers and create a better tomorrow.

Work that matters

Every pay run matters.

In this role, you’ll help ensure Adelaide University employees are paid accurately and compliantly by identifying payroll risks, strengthening controls, and driving continuous improvement. Your expertise will provide confidence in payroll processes, support regulatory compliance, and deliver meaningful assurance that protects both staff and the University.

Working across payroll, risk, audit and compliance teams, you’ll turn insights into action and help build a culture of accuracy, accountability and trust.

Curious to learn more? Explore the full role description to discover more about this opportunity.

The team

As part of the Quality and Compliance team, you’ll join a collaborative group of professionals committed to strengthening governance, compliance, payroll integrity, and continuous improvement across the University.

Working closely with stakeholders across People and Culture, the team drives best‑practice payroll governance, identifies opportunities for improvement, and helps ensure employees are paid accurately and in accordance with legislative and policy requirements.

Through a strong focus on assurance, service excellence, and continuous improvement, the team delivers meaningful outcomes that build trust, reduce risk, and support both staff and the broader University community.

Our people are guided by purpose, curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. We embrace authenticity, innovation and collaboration, and harness diverse thinking in our pursuit of excellence.

The ideal candidate for this position is an analytical and detail‑oriented payroll professional with experience in payroll audit, compliance, and risk management. They have a keen eye for identifying issues, improving controls, and ensuring payroll accuracy and legislative compliance.

A strong communicator and collaborator, they build effective relationships across teams, using data‑driven insights to influence positive outcomes. Proactive and solutions‑focused, they are committed to continuous improvement and delivering trusted payroll assurance services.

Learn more about our people, what we stand for and what we offer at Careers at AU .

Experience

To join our community and thrive in this role, you will likely have the following skills and experience:

• Experience working in payroll functions with demonstrated understanding of payroll processes and controls
• Experience working in internal audit, assurance or related roles supporting audit and compliance activities
• Proven ability to analyse complex data and apply payroll and human resources control frameworks
• Proven ability to produce high‑quality documentation and reports in line with audit standards
• Experience working with risk and control frameworks and handling sensitive information appropriately

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels respected and valued. Adelaide University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, and people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements and providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

For further information about this opportunity, please contact (quoting reference number 493599):

Applications welcomed from Australian or NZ citizens, Australian permanent residents and those who have the legal right to work in Australia for the term of appointment.