Payroll Officer

Steiner Education Australia (SEA); Willoughby City Council; On-site; AUD 34,000 - 52,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Six weeks annual leave

Job summary

Willunga Waldorf School is hiring a Payroll Officer to manage timely and accurate payroll, reconciliations and monthly reporting. The role also includes some general administrative tasks and supports the school’s financial administration in line with Steiner education values.

The successful candidate will have payroll experience, confidentiality, and strong communication skills, with a willingness to support the school community and comply with SA Working with Children checks and first aid

Qualifications

• Proven payroll officer experience with accuracy and reliability.
• Demonstrated knowledge of payroll-related legislation and compliance.
• Ability to manage confidential information professionally.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Process monthly payroll and reconciliations accurately and on time.
• Prepare monthly payroll reports and related financial statements.
• Provide general administrative support to the finance team.

Skills

Payroll software

Excel

Attention to detail

Confidential information handling

Strong communication

Education

Payroll qualification

Tools

MYOB

Xero

Payroll software

Job description

An exciting opportunity exists for a suitably experienced Payroll Officer to join the Willunga Waldorf School at the earliest opportunity.

About Us

Willunga Waldorf School is a thriving, contemporary, independent K to 12 school nestled in the beautiful Southern Vales of South Australia, close to magnificent coastline and surrounded by vines and almond groves. It is situated on the edge of the rural town ship of Willunga, fifty minutes’ drive from the city of Adelaide.

The School offers a strong, balanced and dynamic educational environment grounded in the values of Goodness, Beauty and Truth. Set on spacious grounds, the School provides a natural, calm and aesthetically rich setting that supports the wellbeing, imagination and healthy development of the children and young people in our care. The environment is intentionally designed to nurture the whole child and to foster a sense of belonging, purpose and connection to community.

The School acknowledges and honours its location on Kaurna Country, recognising the continuing spiritual and cultural relationship that Kaurna Peoples hold with the land. This respect for place and community is woven into school life through seasonal festivals, outdoor education, and a curriculum that encourages reverence for nature and an understanding of ecological responsibility.

The School environment is further strengthened by its community‑centred culture, where relationships between staff, students and families are valued as central to learning. Across all stages, the School environment is characterised by calm, purposeful activity; a strong sense of community; and a commitment to supporting each student’s growth into a capable, responsible and compassionate individual.

In 2024, the school began dual-streaming and embarked on an exciting journey of growth.

About You

The successful applicant will be a self‑motivated, detail‑oriented and reliable professional with excellent communication skills. They possess a genuine warmth and interest in supporting the School’s financial administration. They will be orderly, methodical and practical in setting priorities and completing tasks, and show a strong commitment to delivering exceptional and professional service within and outside the wider School community. Furthermore, they demonstrate a willingness to support the philosophy of Steiner education within the School community.

About the Role

The Payroll Officer reports directly to the Accountant, and is responsible for timely and accurate payroll processing, all associated reconciliations and monthly reporting. The role also includes some general administrative responsibilities.

Key Selection Criteria

• Proven work experience as a Payroll Officer, including hands‑on experience with payroll and accounting software
• Strong math skills with an ability to spot numerical errors
• Demonstrated knowledge of payroll-related Industrial Relations legislation
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information professionally
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the ability to learn/master new programs and software
• Demonstrated high level of written and spoken communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and within a team
• Experience working in a school environment is not essential but would be highly regarded
• Must have full and unrestricted working rights in Australia

Applicants must have appropriate qualifications in payroll or payroll-relevant field, be able to obtain a “not-prohibited” SA Working with Children Check and be willing to obtain full RRHAN-EC and Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting certificates before commencement of employment.

Terms of Appointment

This is a permanent part‑time position comprising 37.5 hours per fortnight, spread across five days: 8am – 4pm Wednesday to Friday during payroll week, and Wednesday and Thursday during the off‑payroll week.

Remuneration will be based on the current Willunga Waldorf School Enterprise Agreement, be commensurate with professional experience, and include six weeks annual leave.

Deadline: 5pm on Thursday, 17 September 2026