Payroll Specialist

Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation; Perth; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation is seeking a Payroll Specialist to lead payroll processing across the employee lifecycle from onboarding to termination. You will support the Finance Manager and team while ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance within Australian payroll rules.

This role is based in Kewdale, WA, offering meaningful work with Aboriginal communities across health, education, employment and culture, in a collaborative, supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in payroll or similar role.
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, PAYG withholding, superannuation.
• Experience applying employment awards.
• Experience with multiple payment types (wages, allowances, travel).
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll processing across activities including travel allowances and attendance.
• Maintain accurate employee records and payroll data.
• Ensure compliance with awards, laws and statutory obligations.
• Provide guidance on payroll processes, salary packaging, leave balances, and entitlements.
• Complete monthly payroll reconciliations and assist with audits.

Skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Discretion

Communication

Education

Accounting or equivalent qualification

Tools

Employment Hero

Xero

Microsoft Excel

Wiise

Business Central

Job description

A senior & diverse payroll role with autonomy, responsibility and variety across the employee lifecycle.

Collaborative and supportive team environment located in Kewdale

Meaningful work supporting Aboriginal community outcomes in health, education, employment and culture.

About Us

Tjiwarl (Aboriginal Corporation) RNTBC (Tjiwarl AC) is a purpose-driven, not-for-profit organisation. It aims to deliver long-term, positive outcomes for Aboriginal people that are members of the Corporation. Priorities include health, education, employment and training, small business development, land management, law and culture, and protecting native title.

The Role

The primary objectives of this position are to:

Be responsible for the payroll function of the Corporation and all processes and tasks within.

Provide support to the Finance Manager and team.

Why this role and place matters

This is more than a payroll role. It is an opportunity to bring your technical expertise, care and integrity to work that directly supports Aboriginal people, families and communities. As Payroll Specialist, you will play a trusted role in ensuring people are paid accurately, fairly and on time, while helping strengthen the systems that support Tjiwarl AC's broader purpose.

Based in Kewdale, with connection to the northern Goldfields, this role offers the chance to be part of an organisation grounded in culture, community and long-term impact. You will join a small, committed team where your work will be visible, valued and meaningful, contributing to outcomes across health, education, employment, land, law and culture.

For the right person, this is a role with heart, responsibility and purpose - a chance to use your payroll skills in a setting where accuracy matters, relationships matter, and the impact of your work reaches well beyond the office.

The Duties

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Payroll processing for various activities including travel allowances, activity attendance, employee payroll and others.

Maintaining accurate employee records and payroll data.

Ensure compliance with all relevant awards, laws and statutory obligations.

Provide advice and guidance on all payroll processes, salary packaging, leave balances, entitlements and payment-related matters.

Ensure superannuation obligations are met in accordance with relevant legislation and required timeframes.

Assist with the payroll component of the onboarding process for new employees.

Process fortnightly salary sacrifice payments and communicate changes as required.

Track and report on employee entitlements, including annual leave, personal leave, time off in lieu, long service leave and other applicable leave or employment entitlements.

Perform monthly payroll reconciliations as part of end-of-month processing.

Assist with annual audit and provide payroll reports as required.

Any other duties as directed by the line manager or executive team.

Selection Criteria

Proficiency with Employment Hero, Xero and Microsoft excel.

Minimum 5 years' experience in the same or a similar role.

Demonstrated experience in the application of employment awards.

Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, PAYG withholding, superannuation and statutory payroll obligations.

Experience managing multiple payment activity types, including wages, allowances and travel payments and salary packaging.

High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Strong initiative and the ability to identify, investigate and resolve payroll anomalies.

Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Strong communication skills and the ability to respond professionally and in a timely manner to payroll queries.

Strong organisational skills and the ability to meet payroll deadlines.

Commitment to data integrity and continuous improvement.

Run periodic payroll audits, reconcile general ledger accounts, and prepare payroll tax.

Worked with Aboriginal organisations and people.

Experience with Wiise, & Business Central

Accounting or equivalent qualification highly regarded.

Licenses & Accreditations:

Appointment subject to a National Police Clearance

Are you passionate about your work, willing to work to a high quality and in a demanding environment? If you have these competencies and can work in good unison with a small team, then we would love to hear from you.

Salary & Benefits

A competitive salary will be negotiated based on skills and experience. The role is based in Kewdale, with occasional overnight travel to the northern Goldfields.