Senior Payroll Specialist

Senior Payroll Specialist | Collingwood, VIC | Full time | Salary Packaging | Free Auslan Training 

Bring your senior payroll expertise to a purpose-led organisation where accuracy, compliance and service directly support our people and community. 

If you’re an experienced payroll professional who can confidently own a complex fortnightly payroll, work across Enterprise Agreement and Award conditions, and get the best from Employment Hero, this is an opportunity to make an immediate impact. 

Why This Role Is Different 

This is a hands-on senior payroll role with real ownership. You will manage the end-to-end payroll cycle, work through exceptions and system issues, and help strengthen the processes behind an accurate and dependable payroll service. You have strong communication skills and you are trusted to investigate anomalies, resolve issues, provide remediation and practical guidance to employees and leaders. 

About Us 

Established in 1884, Expression Australia is a not-for-profit organisation created by and for the Deaf community. We empower people who are Deaf and hard of hearing to overcome barriers, connect with their communities and choose how they want to live. 

With offices in Collingwood, Hobart, Fremantle, Devonport, Ballarat and Geelong, we work alongside individuals, families and communities to create a more inclusive society. Our vision is for all people who are Deaf and hard of hearing to have every opportunity to connect with and contribute to society, with the freedom to thrive in their language of choice and access the support they need throughout their lives. 

Role Overview 

As our Senior Payroll Specialist, you will manage end-to-end fortnightly payroll and the employee payroll lifecycle, from onboarding and variations through to leave, allowances, deductions, superannuation and terminations. You will work across relevant Enterprise Agreement and Award conditions, ensuring employees are paid accurately, compliantly and on time. 

A key part of the role is hands-on ownership of Employment Hero. You will understand how Employment Hero HR and Employment Hero Payroll interact, including timesheet synchronisation, integration dashboard errors, award rule tagging and automated award interpretation. You will also support payroll reconciliations, reporting, audits, testing and process improvements. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Manage end-to-end fortnightly payroll in accordance with relevant Enterprise Agreements, Awards and Australian payroll legislation. 
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records across onboarding, terminations, variations, leave, deductions and award rule tagging. 
• Calculate and review wages, allowances, overtime, penalties, leave and termination payments, investigating variances before payment. 
• Prepare, reconcile and submit Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting and superannuation contributions, and ensure payslips are issued accurately and on time. 
• Administer salary packaging and other payroll deductions in line with organisational and legislative requirements. 
• Manage Employment Hero HR-to-Payroll workflows, including timesheet syncs, integration errors and automated award interpretation rules. 
• Respond to payroll enquiries and build strong working relationships with employees, leaders and internal stakeholders. 
• Support audits, government and ABS reporting, payroll projects, UAT, system testing and continuous process improvement. 

About You 

You are an experienced and passionate payroll professional who combines technical depth with calm, practical problem solving. You have an eye for detail and are comfortable stepping into an active payroll environment, working independently, identifying what does not look right and following issues through to resolution. 

You understand that payroll is more than processing – it is about protecting accuracy and compliance, maintaining reliable source data, and giving employees confidence that their pay is right. 

Essential Requirements 

• Minimum  3 -5 years’ experience operating at senior payroll level in a medium to large organisation, with demonstrated end-to-end payroll ownership. 
• Strong hands-on Employment Hero experience, including Employment Hero HR and Employment Hero Payroll integration. 
• Practical experience managing timesheet synchronisation, integration dashboard errors, employee/payroll data integrity and automated award interpretation rules. 
• Experience processing payroll under an Enterprise Agreement and applying Award conditions.
• Exposure to SCHADS and/or the Health Professionals and Support Services Award will be highly regarded. 
• Sound knowledge of Australian payroll obligations, including PAYG withholding, superannuation, leave, STP and termination payments. 
• Strong reconciliation and analytical skills, with the ability to identify payroll trends, anomalies and exceptions quickly. 
• Strong Excel capability and confidence working with payroll, HRIS and timekeeping data. 
• Attention to detail, discretion, strong communication skills and the ability to meet fixed payroll deadlines. 

What We Can Offer 

Bilingual & Inclusive Workplace

• We value Auslan and English equally. 
• Free in-house Auslan training and coaching for staff. 
• Deaf Awareness & Communication Training for all. 

Health & Well-being 

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free, confidential counselling and support when you need it. 

Growth & Learning 

• Ongoing training, workshops, and career development opportunities. 
• Study leave options to support your professional goals. 

Flexibility 

• Paid parental leave. 
• Flexible working hours to help you balance life and work 

Competitive salary package 

• Expression Australia is a registered charity (Not-for-Profit) and offers access to salary packaging benefits. 

A Workplace Where You Can Belong 

At Expression Australia, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to succeed. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences who share our passion for making a meaningful difference. 

We are proud to be a bilingual, bicultural organisation that values Auslan and English equally and strongly encourage applications from Deaf and hard of hearing people. 

What Next? 

If you’re ready to bring strong payroll judgement, Employment Hero expertise and a commitment to getting the details right, we would love to hear from you. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and suitable applicants will be contacted for an initial screening. 

Applicants must have the right to live and work in Australia.