Senior HR Advisor - Pay

Australian Fair Work Ombudsman; Sydney; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development

Flexible working arrangements

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Competitive salary plus 15.4% superann

Job summary

Australian Fair Work Ombudsman is seeking an APS5 Senior HR Advisor – Pay across Melbourne, Canberra or Sydney offices. The role focuses on accurate payroll processing, applying payroll legislation and enterprise agreements, and supporting the fortnightly pay run to ensure timely, compliant payroll delivery.

The role requires strong customer service, stakeholder engagement and data integrity within SAP, contributing to a high‑quality employee experience across office locations.

Qualifications

• Proven payroll processing experience in a complex environment.
• Solid knowledge of payroll legislation, taxation and superannuation.
• Strong customer service and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Responsibilities

• Process simple to complex payroll transactions accurately and within timeframes.
• Interpret and apply payroll legislation, enterprise agreements, policies and conditions.
• Assist in processing the fortnightly pay run and maintain data integrity in SAP.

Skills

Payroll processing

SAP

Payroll legislation

Customer service

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

SAP

Job description

Australian Fair Work Ombudsman – Sydney NSW

We are seeking an APS5 Senior HR Advisor – Pay across our Melbourne, Canberra or Sydney office locations. Full-time and part-time hours are available. Offers will be based on candidate performance and operational requirements.

About the OFWO

The Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman (OFWO) is an independent statutory office established by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Fair Work Act). Our functions outline the responsibilities we have as set by the Fair Work Act and other legislation to achieve our purpose:

• provide education, assistance, advice and guidance to employers, employees, outworkers, outworker entities and organisations
• promote and monitor compliance with workplace laws
• inquire into and investigate breaches of the Fair Work Act
• take appropriate enforcement action
• perform our statutory functions efficiently, effectively, economically and ethically.

What our employees say about us

We are one of the most engaged and high performing agencies in Australia; consistently scoring above average on employee engagement and wellbeing when surveyed against other APS agencies.

What we offer you

We provide a diverse, inclusive and supportive work environment with access to:

• Great training and development opportunities
• Generous leave and flexible working arrangements
• Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a free counselling service for you and your family
• Rewards and recognition initiatives.

We Value Diversity

OFWO has been accredited as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace since 2011. We are also members of the Australian Network on Disability and Pride in Diversity. We encourage and welcome applications from First Nations people, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature age people.

About the Branch & Team

The People and Internal Communications Branch is responsible for centralised human resources and internal communications services to the Fair Work Ombudsman. The Branch delivers strategies and services to assist business areas in the management of their workforces, drive agency productivity through engagement and collaboration, assist employees with their learning and development, ensure payroll and workplace conditions are met, support internal communication and change management, foster workplace health and wellbeing, and build a diverse and inclusive culture.

Our Pay Team provides fortnightly pay processing for approximately 1000 staff. The team also responds to and manages a wide range of pay and entitlement enquiries in collaboration with other teams across the People and Internal Communications Branch.

We are seeking an APS5 Senior HR Advisor – Pay across our Melbourne, Canberra or Sydney office locations. Full-time and part-time hours are available. Offers will be based on candidate performance and operational requirements.

About the OFWO

The Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman (OFWO) is an independent statutory office established by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Fair Work Act). Our functions outline the responsibilities we have as set by the Fair Work Act and other legislation to achieve our purpose:

• provide education, assistance, advice and guidance to employers, employees, outworkers, outworker entities and organisations
• promote and monitor compliance with workplace laws
• inquire into and investigate breaches of the Fair Work Act
• take appropriate enforcement action
• perform our statutory functions efficiently, effectively, economically and ethically.

What our employees say about us

We are one of the most engaged and high performing agencies in Australia; consistently scoring above average on employee engagement and wellbeing when surveyed against other APS agencies.

What we offer you

We provide a diverse, inclusive and supportive work environment with access to:

• Great training and development opportunities
• Generous leave and flexible working arrangements
• Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a free counselling service for you and your family
• A competitive salary, plus 15.4% superannuation
• Rewards and recognition initiatives.

We Value Diversity

OFWO has been accredited as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace since 2011. We are also members of the Australian Network on Disability and Pride in Diversity. We encourage and welcome applications from First Nations people, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature age people.

About the Branch & Team

The People and Internal Communications Branch is responsible for centralised human resources and internal communications services to the Fair Work Ombudsman. The Branch delivers strategies and services to assist business areas in the management of their workforces, drive agency productivity through engagement and collaboration, assist employees with their learning and development, ensure payroll and workplace conditions are met, support internal communication and change management, foster workplace health and wellbeing, and build a diverse and inclusive culture.

Our Pay Team provides fortnightly pay processing for approximately 1000 staff. The team also responds to and manages a wide range of pay and entitlement enquiries in collaboration with other teams across the People and Internal Communications Branch.

The key duties of the position include:

About the role

The Senior HR Advisor – Pay delivers accurate, timely and compliant payroll services to employees and stakeholders. With a strong understanding of payroll legislation, employment conditions and payroll processes, the role is responsible for managing simple to complex payroll transactions, resolving enquiries and providing trusted payroll advice.

The Senior HR Advisor – Pay uses sound judgement to interpret and apply legislation, enterprise agreements, policies and procedures. The role contributes to payroll compliance, quality assurance activities and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery and business outcomes. A key aspect of the role is fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment, coaching and supporting colleagues, sharing knowledge and expertise, and contributing to building team capability.

The successful applicant will be customer-focused and recognise payroll as a critical service to our colleagues. They will demonstrate professionalism, attention to detail and a commitment to delivering a positive employee experience through responsive, high-quality service.

Key responsibilities

The key responsibilities of this role include, however are not limited to:

• Process simple to complex payroll transactions accurately and within established timeframes.
• Interpret and apply relevant legislation, enterprise agreements, policies and employment conditions.
• Assist in processing the fortnightly pay run.
• Utilise SAP and associated systems to administer payroll activities and maintain data integrity.
• Provide accurate, timely and professional payroll advice to employees and managers.
• Investigate and resolve payroll enquiries and issues, including complex matters.
• Undertake reconciliations, quality assurance and compliance activities.
• Identify and contribute to payroll process and system improvements, including updating Standard Operating Procedures, internal checklists and templated correspondence
• Build productive relationships with stakeholders and maintain a strong customer service focus.
• Share knowledge, coach colleagues and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with a small, geographically dispersed team, and contribute to a positive and inclusive team culture by promoting the APS values.

Eligibility

• To be eligible for employment with the OFWO you must be an Australian citizen.
• The successful candidate must hold a current Australian Government Security Clearance (AGSVA) or be willing to undergo and obtain a Baseline security clearance.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated payroll experience, including the processing of complex payroll transactions.
• Sound knowledge of payroll legislation, taxation, superannuation and employment conditions.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to support and develop others through coaching, mentoring and knowledge sharing.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Highly desirable

• Demonstrated experience using SAP will be highly regarded, however not essential.

RecruitAbility Scheme applies to this vacancy

Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be progressed to further assessment if you declare you have a disability (according to definition below), opt into the scheme, and meet the minimum requirements for the position.

The RecruitAbility scheme disability definition is 'a limitation, restriction or impairment, which has lasted, or is likely to last, for at least 6 months and restricts everyday activities'. This also includes episodic conditions. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

Applications close 11:00pm (AEDT) on Sunday 4 October 2026

More Information

Working with us and tips on applying, visit fairwork.gov.au/about-us/careers

OFWO’s purpose and functions, visit fairwork.gov.au/about-us/our-role-and-purpose

Office locations, visit fairwork.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/offices

Getting to know the Fair Work Ombudsman

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) is an independent government agency created by the Fair Work Act 2009. The FWO is responsible for promoting harmonious, productive, cooperative and compliant workplace relations in Australia. Please visit the FWO website for further information.For a full list of our current office locations in each state, please visit: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/contact-us/officesThe FWO provides a challenging and supportive work environment with access to great training and development opportunities and flexible working arrangements.To be eligible for employment with the FWO, you must be an Australian citizen.