How do I become a payroll officer
Get qualified to work as a payroll officer with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.
Related career opportunities
Browse occupations related to Payroll Officer.
Common questions
In Australia, a full time Payroll Officer generally earns $1,600 per week ($83,200 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience can you expect a higher salary than people who are new to the role.
Courses.com.au Team
There are currently 40,000 Payroll Officers employed in Australia right now and this job role grew very strongly over the last 5 years. Payroll Officers work in all industries and employment sectors — from small business through to large corporations.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights
Courses.com.au Team
Payroll Officers need a strong understanding of industry awards, ATO and Fair Work requirements. The Certificate IV in Bookkeeping and Accounting (taking the payroll specialisation) is the minimum qualification. We also suggest the Diploma of Payroll Services.
Courses.com.au Team
Further reading
What can you do with a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping?
18th August 2020
Career Spotlight: Accounting and Taxation Professionals
9th October 2019All payroll officer courses
- Associate Degree of Business (Accounting)
- BSB40120 Certificate IV in Business (Finance)
- BSB40120 Certificate IV in Business (Financial Administration)
- BSB41013 Certificate IV in Human Resources
- BSB41015 Certificate IV in Human Resources
- BSB50618 Diploma of Human Resources Management
- BSBFIN301 Process Financial Transactions
- BSBFIN401 Report on Financial Activity
- BSBHRM416 Process Payroll
- FNS40215 Certificate IV in Bookkeeping
- FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
- FNS40222 & FNS50222 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping & Diploma of Accounting
- FNS40611 Certificate IV in Accounting
- FNS40615 Certificate IV in Accounting
- FNS40920 Certificate IV in Superannuation
- FNS41815 Certificate IV in Financial Services
- FNS41820 Certificate IV in Financial Services
- FNS50215 Diploma of Accounting
- FNS50217 Diploma of Accounting
- FNS50222 Diploma of Accounting
- FNS50417 Diploma of Payroll Services
- FNS50422 Diploma of Payroll Services
- FNS51815 Diploma of Financial Services
- FNS51820 Diploma of Financial Services
- FNS51822 Diploma of Financial Services
- FNSACC412 Prepare Operational Budgets
- FNSSS00004 BAS Agent Registration Skill Set
- FNSSS00012 Payroll Administrator Skill Set
- FNSTPB411 Complete Business Activity and Instalment Activity Statements
- FNSTPB412 Establish and Maintain Payroll Systems
- LGA50120 Diploma of Local Government (Corporate Services)
- PSP50512 Diploma of Government (Financial Services)
- Undergraduate Certificate in Accounting
Payroll Officer careers
Payroll Officers take care of an organisation’s wages and salaries — preparing payroll data from timesheets and employee records, then processing the payments.
As a Payroll Officer you’ll be creating confidential employee files, using and maintaining a computerised payroll system, ensuring employer and employee contributions to tax and other deductions are paid correctly, and calculating annual leave or severance pays. This job requires a high degree of focus as accuracy is critical.
Please note: in smaller organisations payroll officers are often expected to take on accounting duties (e.g., processing debtors and creditors).
