Payroll Officer

University of the Sunshine Coast; Sunshine Coast Regional; On-site; AUD 83,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% Superannuation

Job summary

University of the Sunshine Coast is seeking a Payroll Officer based at UniSC Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, to manage fortnightly payroll, provide expert advice on superannuation and taxation, and ensure compliance with legislation and university policies. The role supports a large payroll operation and contributes to service improvements across the People and Culture team.

The successful candidate will bring extensive payroll experience, strong analytical capabilities, and proficiency with HRIS

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in the accurate preparation and completion of fortnightly payroll processes within a large organisation, including demonstrated knowledge of superannuation and taxation legislation.
• Strong analytical skills with expertise in structured and ad hoc reporting, and proficiency in the use of a complex HRIS, preferably PeopleSoft.
• Experience providing accurate advice and dealing with enquiries involving interpreting employment conditions, policies, procedures and guidelines while providing quality customer service.
• The capacity to exercise sound judgement, take initiative and solve problems, as required.
• Excellent computing and word processing skills with high-level experience in the development and maintenance of databases and spreadsheets;
• High level organisational and interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Provision of advice on a broad range of payroll and superannuation matters;
• Contribute to the efficient and effective delivery of the University’s fortnightly payroll functions; and
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policy and procedures.

Skills

Payroll processing

Superannuation knowledge

Taxation legislation knowledge

Analytical skills

HRIS experience (PeopleSoft)

Customer service

Communication skills

Tools

PeopleSoft

HRIS

Job description

• People and Culture | UniSC Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs
• Level 5, $82,843 - $93,358 p.a., plus up to 17% employer superannuation
• Full-time, Ongoing appointment

The Opportunity

At UniSC, our People and Culture team is dedicated to creating an exceptional employee experience that enables our people to thrive. As a Payroll Officer, you will play a key role in ensuring every staff member is paid accurately, on time, and in accordance with legislative and University requirements.

Supporting the delivery of the University's fortnightly payroll, you will provide trusted advice on payroll, superannuation, taxation, and employment conditions while maintaining compliance with complex industrial instruments and legislative obligations. Your expertise and attention to detail will contribute to the integrity of our payroll operations and the continuous improvement of systems and processes that enhance service delivery.

Working within a collaborative and customer-focused team, you will build positive relationships with colleagues across the University, delivering responsive, high-quality payroll support and helping to ensure a seamless experience for our people.

You will

• Provision of advice on a broad range of payroll and superannuation matters;
• Contribute to the efficient and effective delivery of the University’s fortnightly payroll functions; and
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policy and procedures.

About you

You are a detail-oriented payroll professional who thrives on accuracy, compliance, and delivering exceptional service. With a strong understanding of payroll legislation, industrial instruments, and employment conditions, you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where precision and deadlines matter. You confidently provide trusted advice, build positive relationships across a diverse organisation, and apply your analytical and problem-solving skills to resolve complex payroll matters, identify opportunities for process improvement, and contribute to the continuous enhancement of payroll services.

You will possess:

• Extensive experience in the accurate preparation and completion of fortnightly payroll processes within a large organisation, including demonstrated knowledge of superannuation and taxation legislation;
• Strong analytical skills with expertise in structured and ad hoc reporting, and proficiency in the use of a complex HRIS, preferably PeopleSoft;
• Experience providing accurate advice and dealing with enquiries involving interpreting employment conditions, policies, procedures and guidelines while providing quality customer service;
• The capacity to exercise sound judgement, take initiative and solve problems, as required;
• Excellent computing and word processing skills with high-level experience in the development and maintenance of databases and spreadsheets; and
• High level organisational and interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Don't meet every requirement? At UniSC, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our position description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.

UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at [e-mail] or call [phone].

Have questions or want to know more? For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Associate Director, Employee Experience - People and Culture

Telephone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

We would love the opportunity to get to know you better, but we know it works both ways. To get to know a little more about us, visit us at: Welcome to UniSC and LinkedIn Life

UniSC values a diverse and talented workforce and invites applications from candidates who already have legal work rights in Australia.

UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact [e-mail]

Discover UniSC

We're all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. While we're not the largest university, we are one of the fastest growing in Australia, now with over 2,000 staff across five campuses in South East Queensland and an expanding presence in major capital cities, and we're making a big impact every day through ground-breaking research, a strong commitment to sustainability, high-performance sport, and award-winning alumni.

We are committed to delivering high-quality research and teaching that address major global and regional challenges, with established and emerging strengths in sustainability, environmental systems, biodiversity, aquaculture, preventative health and regional resilience. Our research excellence is internationally recognised through strong performance in global benchmarking, including leading rankings in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings for Zero Hunger, Climate Action and Life on Land. UniSC is also recognised for its teaching excellence, with a strong emphasis on student success, innovative and engaging learning experiences, and strong graduate outcomes that equip learners to make meaningful contributions in their chosen fields. As the only university operating within three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, UniSC is uniquely positioned to leverage its natural environment to advance impactful research, teaching and partnerships that support sustainable futures, with sustainability embedded across all aspects of our teaching, research and operations.

We foster a collaborative and supportive environment that encourages continuous professional development and provides the tools and resources to grow your career. We value the contributions of every team member and the role they play in our culture and success. We're not afraid to do things differently, and we're looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team working together to make a meaningful difference to local and global challenges.

• Our collaborative, passionate and welcoming culture is what really sets us apart.
• Modern teaching & research facilities.
• Professional development and career pathway opportunities.
• We are a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative.
• Flexible work arrangements & generous leave options.
• Salary packing options + 17% Super.
• EAP, fitness passport & discounted private health.