Senior Payroll Officer

Private Advertiser; Perth; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Private Advertiser is seeking a Senior Payroll Officer to lead the end-to-end Australian payroll function from our Perth office. The role also supports payrolls for overseas-based employees and ensures timely, accurate processing in line with Fair Work standards.

The ideal candidate has at least five years in end-to-end payroll, strong Australian payroll knowledge, and experience with payroll systems and Excel. This permanent full-time position is located in Perth CBD.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years’ end-to-end payroll experience.
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation (PAYG, STP, superannuation).
• Experience lodging payroll tax returns across multiple states.
• Experience with timesheets in a professional services environment.
• Proficient with payroll systems and intermediate Excel.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and provide high level of service.

Responsibilities

• Oversee monthly timekeeping and validate timesheets.
• Process end-to-end Australian payroll on time.
• Coordinate overseas payroll with local advisers.
• Complete PAYG withholding and STP reporting.
• Prepare monthly payroll journals and GL reconciliation.
• Calculate and reconcile superannuation.
• Handle payroll queries professionally and promptly.
• Support annual bonus and salary reviews.
• Maintain accurate employee records and payroll changes.
• Lodge payroll tax returns and state reconciliations.
• Assist with audits and payroll process improvements.

Skills

End-to-end payroll

Australian payroll knowledge

Excel skills

Attention to detail

Independent work

Education

Accounting background

Bookkeeping experience

Tools

Payroll software

Excel

Job description

Senior Payroll Officer – Permanent Full‑Time

We are a specialised international consulting firm providing engineering and environmental services to the mining, power, water resources, and infrastructure industries.

We are seeking an experienced and detail-focused Senior Payroll Officer to join our Finance team in Perth. This role will manage the end-to-end Australian payroll and timesheet function, while also coordinating payroll-related matters for employees working overseas.

About the role

This permanent full-time role is responsible for processing payroll accurately and on time, maintaining employee records, overseeing timesheet compliance and supporting payroll reporting and statutory obligations.

Key responsibilities

Oversee the monthly timekeeping process, including reviewing and validating timesheets, following up missing or inaccurate entries, checking for errors and extracting timesheet data.

Process the end-to-end Australian payroll accurately and on time in accordance with the Fair Work Act, National Employment Standards, applicable awards, legislation and company policies.

Coordinate payroll payments and related tax and statutory requirements for employees who live and work overseas, with support from local advisers where required.

Complete PAYG withholding and Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting, including resolving rejected or incorrect submissions.

Prepare monthly payroll journals and reconcile payroll reports to the general ledger.

Calculate, process and reconcile superannuation contributions.

Respond to payroll and timesheet queries professionally and promptly.

Support the annual bonus and salary review processes.

Calculate and process leave entitlements and other payroll adjustments, including final pays and leave balance reconciliations for departing employees.

Maintain accurate employee records and process new starters, terminations, contractual changes, salary sacrifice arrangements, deductions and reimbursements.

Prepare and lodge payroll tax returns and related reconciliations across relevant Australian states.

Process and reconcile workers’ compensation payments and related records.

Maintain payroll records and employee information in accordance with record-keeping, privacy and confidentiality requirements.

Support payroll reporting, reconciliations and audits, including providing information to auditors, insurers and authorised third parties.

Identify and implement improvements to payroll and timesheet processes, controls and documentation.

About you

Minimum five years’ experience in an end-to-end payroll role, preferably with an accounting or bookkeeping background.

Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, including PAYG, STP, superannuation, leave entitlements and payroll tax.

Experience preparing and lodging payroll tax returns, preferably across multiple states.

Experience in a timesheet-driven environment, preferably professional services or a similar industry.

Experience with payroll systems and intermediate Excel skills.

Exposure to payroll for overseas-based employees is desirable.

Strong attention to detail, organisational skills and ability to work independently.

Clear and professional communicator who respects confidentiality and provides a high level of employee service.

Location: Perth CBD