Payroll Officer

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA); Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 112,628 - 122,702; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Involvement in impactful renewable energy initiatives

Inclusive workplace culture

Job summary

A government agency focused on renewable energy is seeking a Payroll Officer to manage payroll processing for approximately 150-170 employees. This role includes coordinating payroll activities, addressing complex payroll queries, and ensuring compliance with legislation. Candidates should possess end-to-end payroll experience, strong analytical skills, and familiarity with relevant legislation. The position may be located in Canberra or Sydney and offers flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in end-to-end payroll processing within a medium-sized organisation.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret and apply employment legislation and policies.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate fortnightly payroll, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Act as first point of escalation for payroll queries.
• Assist in maintaining employee payroll records and compliance.

Skills

End-to-end payroll processing

Experience with outsourced payroll providers

Numerical and analytical skills

Knowledge of superannuation legislation

Ability to interpret legislation and policies

Proficiency in Aurion and TechOne

Competence in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel

Job description

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This is a newly created position which plays a critical part in ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing for approximately 150-170 employees across the agency. This position supports the delivery of payroll services in compliance with legislative requirements, and policies. The role involves working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives in payroll operations.

You will be the main point of contact between finance and the outsourced payroll provider to ensure the smooth running of the payroll function.

The Payroll Officer position can be located in Canberra or Sydney.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate fortnightly end-to-end payroll including new hires, terminations, leave entitlements, and salary adjustments by liaising with MPaaS and People and Culture to ensure accuracy and compliance with agency processes.
• Act as first point of escalation for complex payroll queries and provide expert guidance and resolution.
• Ensure all payroll processing events are completed on time and pays are processed according to schedule.
• Assist in the maintenance of employee payroll records in accordance with MPaaS workflows and ARENA business processes, by liaising with MPaaS and P&C as needed.
• Interpret and apply relevant legislation, Awards, enterprise agreements, and policies.
• Respond to payroll-related queries from staff and management in a timely and professional manner.
• Assist in the reconciliation of payroll accounts and preparation of reports for audit and compliance purposes.
• Support the payroll system implementation, upgrades or changes.
• Contribute to the development and documentation of payroll procedures and guidelines.
• Identify and escalate payroll issues or discrepancies to senior staff as required.
• Possibility to deliver other financial operations to further develop skills.

Key skills and experience

• Demonstrated experience in end-to-end payroll processing within a medium sized organisation.
• Ideally have experience working with outsourced payroll providers.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Knowledge of superannuation legislation, taxation requirements, and National Employment Standards.
• Ability to interpret and apply employment legislation, industrial instruments, Awards and policies.
• Proficiency in Aurion and TechOne finance systems (desirable).
• Competence in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

About us

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is a Corporate Commonwealth entity established under the Australian Renewable Energy Agency Act 2011 (the ARENA Act). Our primary objective is to improve the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies and increase the supply of renewable energy in Australia.

ARENA has received significant additional funding over the past three budget cycles and is trusted by the Government to deliver many of its most impactful emissions reduction programs. We support the Government’s emissions reduction goals of a 43% reduction in net emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050, through our focus on technology innovation and commercialisation for the benefit of Australia.

ARENA complements other funding bodies and provides financial assistance to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electrification technologies for research, development, demonstration, and deployment projects. Knowledge sharing is a critical part of our mission, ensuring that industry and policymakers can leverage the insights from our funded projects.

ARENA operates under its own Act of Parliament, with the ARENA Board and CEO reporting to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and the Minister for Finance.

Transition to an ARENA-led employment model

Historically, ARENA has not had the legislative authority to directly employ staff (with the exception of our CEO and CFO). Our workforce is comprised APS employees seconded from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), as well as consultants and contractors. In December 2024, as part of the Future Made in Australia program, ARENA was granted new employment powers, which means we are now in the process of building an employment framework to transition to an ARENA-led employment model, which will see us build a sustainable, high-performing workforce that supports our critical mission in the renewable energy sector.

The Payroll Officer position will be offered on a contract basis until June 2026, with the possibility of transitioning to permanent employment.

Why us?

At ARENA, we are committed to providing an inclusive culture so our employees can bring their whole selves to work and have a sense of belonging. You don’t need to be an expert in renewable energy or energy markets, but a keen interest in advancing an ambitious energy and climate agenda will be helpful.

In addition to the above:

• We have Flexible working arrangements
• You will have front row tickets to leading edge technology in the sector
• Work in an impactful and evolving environment
• Be part of a team that collaborates and makes a difference

We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We strongly believe that

diversity of experience, perspectives, and background will lead to a better environment for our workers and better outcomes for Australia.

How to apply

If you think this role is the right fit for you, we encourage you to apply by submitting your resume and cover letter (no more than 1 page).

Applications close at 11:00pm on Sunday 7 September.

Please note that we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may close the recruitment process early if suitable candidates are identified.

To learn more about ARENA, visit www.arena.gov.au/about.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Associate

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Finance

• Industries

  Government Administration and Services for Renewable Energy

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