Payroll Specialist

The Team The SJGHC Workforce Shared Services (WSS) team was established in January 2025 to deliver support services to employees (caregivers) across our hospitals services and group locations in Western Australia Victoria and New South Wales. Workforce Shared Services (WSS) covers a broad range of functions including recruitment, onboarding, global mobility, HR administration and support, position management, remuneration, benefits, payroll systems and organisation-wide workforce risk management, governance and compliance. Guided by SJGHC’s strategic direction “Every Moment Matters”, our core focus is to enhance the caregiver (employee) experience while establishing consistent strong foundations across all areas of the workforce. This is a dynamic and significant time to join the Workforce team at SJGHC as the payroll function undergoes a period of transformation and process improvements. You will be part of a refreshed team that is shaping the future of payroll services contributing to a more streamlined, efficient and caregiver-focused experience across the organisation. The Position We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Payroll Specialist to join our Payroll Operations leadership team for a fixed term period of 12 months. This role will provide expert‑level payroll advice and technical support ensuring accurate, compliant and efficient payroll processes across the organisation. Working closely with Payroll, HRIS, Workforce Governance & Compliance and HR Services teams you will play a key role in complex payroll activities including salary packaging, terminations, redundancy calculations, superannuation, taxation, leave audits and payroll reconciliations. You will also be responsible for identifying opportunities for process improvement, increasing team capability and contributing to key payroll projects. Key Responsibilities Provide subject matter expertise on complex payroll issues including termination and redundancy payments, back pays, overpayments, taxation treatments (e.g. PAYG, HELP, ETPs) and superannuation obligations. Conduct detailed leave audits ensuring compliance with enterprise agreements, awards and state‑based legislation such as Long Service Leave. Interpret and advise on reportable fringe benefits, salary packaging and superannuation caps. Liaise with hospital departments to ensure accurate application of legislative requirements related to payroll including redundancies and employment terminations. Oversee salary packaging activities including novated leases, relocation expenses, exempt benefits and FBT implications across all areas. Provide technical support to payroll operations and deliver regular reporting on compliance processing accuracy and operational performance. Support testing and validation of payroll systems during legislative updates or software upgrades (e.g. Ascender / Dayforce). Ensure payroll system integrity by maintaining accurate master data aligned with source documentation. Conduct regular audits and reviews to ensure alignment with legislation, enterprise agreements, awards and organisational policies. Identify and implement process improvements to enhance payroll efficiency and compliance. Collaborate with Audit and Compliance to conduct system accuracy checks and address identified risks. Provide training, mentoring and technical guidance to the payroll team to increase internal capability. Support workforce‑wide payroll knowledge building through collaboration with internal teams and delivery of technical insights. The ideal candidate will be an experienced payroll professional with a deep understanding of end‑to‑end payroll operations and be proficient in payroll systems, preferably aPay. Your ability to manage change, balance competing priorities and perform under pressure will be essential to your success in this role. You bring expert knowledge in areas such as salary packaging, termination and redundancy calculations, taxation, superannuation and payroll‑related legislation. Your ability to interpret and apply complex industrial awards and enterprise agreements is complemented by strong analytical and problem‑solving skills. Above all people will be at the core of everything you do committing to and supporting our Mission and Values. Salary and Term $107,000 to $110,000 per annum plus 12% superannuation, 12‑month fixed term. Hybrid Working Arrangements Salary packaging up to $18,550 on a range of benefits such as mortgage, rent, meal, entertainment, holiday accommodation or other everyday living expenses as well as options to salary package benefits above the FBT cap on items such as: Novated leasing Work related expenses Self‑education Additional superannuation. A healthy work‑life balance through flexible work options, additional purchased leave and well‑being programs. Employee discount on St John of God Hospital & Medical Services and private health insurance. Employee support through our dedicated free Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Access to a range of Lifestyle Health & Wellbeing rewards and discounts. Application Instructions All applicants are asked to submit a covering letter (of no more than two (2) pages) demonstrating how you meet the above position requirements. If the below role is not quite right for you but you have an interest in working with our team please also see our advertisements for two permanent Payroll Team Leaders and a 12‑month fixed term Payroll Officer role. For enquiries please contact Rebecca Sherlock, Payroll Operations Manager on (08)… Diversity & Inclusion St John of God Health Care embraces diversity and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people with disabilities. We are committed to providing a safe environment for all children and vulnerable people in our care and proactively take measures to protect children / vulnerable people from abuse. Employment Type: Full‑Time Vacancy: 1 #J-18808-Ljbffr