Payroll Officer (Fixed Term, Part Time)
Atwea College
Minmi, New South Wales, Australia
Finance / Banking / Insurance
Atwea College is seeking a detail-focused Payroll Officer to play a key role in delivering accurate payroll, supporting financial operations, and contributing to system improvements and strategic insights. This role suits someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys problem-solving, and values meaningful work in an organisation that empowers people through education.
About Us
We are a progressive NFP successfully unlocking the potential in transforming lives through education for over 100 years. We have grown by 900% in just the past 20 yrs with planned growth for the future, we are indeed proud of this continued development coupled with sustainable practices in the service and difference we make to the community.
Our values of Inclusion, Integrity and Innovation shine through our people.
Year on year we continue to grow by being agile, positive, and a hands-on team.
We are seeking equally passionate people who are aligned with our values, invested in their roles, and the success of others.
‘Why’ this role makes a difference
Our organisation is genuinely committed to our values of Inclusion, Integrity and Innovation, not just in our strategic plan, yet in our day to day business as usual deliverables to our company, people and students.
About The Role
Located at our Head Office in Elermore Vale, the Payroll Officer is responsible for end to end payroll, payroll reporting, reconciliations, compliance tasks, and supporting the Financial Controller across month end, budgeting, forecasting, audits, systems optimisation, and continuous improvement.
You will also support staff through responsive communication, onboarding assistance, and participation in internal training and financial roadshows.
In this fixed term, part time (3 days per week) role, successful applicants should be able to confidently:
- Process fortnightly payroll including checks, validations, adjustments, superannuation, EA uplifts, and terminations.
- Maintain the payroll inbox and support employees with timely, accurate responses.
- Prepare payroll reports (leave liabilities, FTE), month-end journals, and payroll reconciliations.
- Conduct quarterly payroll audits and support payroll-related projects.
- Complete payroll-related reconciliations, GL journal entries, and support compliance activities.
- Assist with workers compensation, PAYG, superannuation, and other statutory requirements.
- Ensure confidentiality, accuracy, and adherence to WHS and legislative obligations.
- Support payroll reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and EA modelling.
- Prepare ATO payroll summaries, WGEA reporting, and assist with financial insights for People & Culture and leadership.
- Assist with external audits, prepare documentation, and maintain audit readiness.
- Support year-end processes including accruals, reconciliations, and acquittal statements.
- Maintain accurate data in Sage, support ERP optimisation, and contribute to process improvements.
- Support onboarding, inductions, roadshows, and provide responsive financial and payroll support across teams.
- You already live by the values of Inclusion, Integrity and Innovation.
- Strong experience in payroll and general finance administration.
- High accuracy and attention to detail, with excellent organisational skills.
- A solid understanding of payroll legislation, compliance, and modern awards/EA interpretation.
- Experience with payroll or ERP systems (Sage preferred).
- Strong communication skills and a proactive, customer-focused approach.
- A commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration, and organisational values.
- Valid NSW Working With Children Check and current National Criminal Police Record Check prior to the commencement of employment.
- Child Protection Training, or willingness to obtain.
- Drivers Licence.
At Atwea College we offer extra cherries on top including:
- Competitive Remuneration.
- As a Not-for-Profit organisation, ability to salary package up to $15,899 tax free per FBT year.
- Perk Days (Wellbeing Leave, Board Bonus Day & a Birthday Bonus Day).
- Flexible working arrangements available (flexible start and finish times).
- WFH days available.
- Confidential 10 Paid Family and Domestic Violence days if required.
- Company paid parental and adoption leave; top up parental leave for those eligible.
- Paid Employee Assistance Program.
- Supportive, inclusive, values-driven culture
- Opportunity to influence process improvements and system optimisation
- Work with a collaborative team that values innovation and integrity
- A role where your work genuinely contributes to community impact
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you’re a great fit.
Please note: Our office will be closed from 19th December 2025 and all shortlisted candidates will be contacted once we return to the office from 5th January 2026.
About the company
Company website•Financial Services and Accounting
Atwea College, formerly known as WEA Hunter (Worker’s Educational Association – Hunter), was established as a way of providing education to blue collar workers more than 100 years ago. The Workers’ Educational Association originated in England and was introduced into Australia in 1913. In its heyday it operated in every state except Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Nowadays, the WEA exists in New South Wales (Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong) and in South Australia (Adelaide).
Today, these humble beginnings remain a proud and fundamental part of our legacy, but we have become so much more. The organisation is now the fifth largest provider of community based education in NSW, offering a diverse range of senior secondary and vocational education to thousands of students across the state.
In keeping with this progress, and to help position the organisation for the future, WEA Hunter was recently renamed Atwea College – a new name to unify our approach and unlock our potential.
Atwea makes a substantial contribution not just to the local economy but more importantly to the wellbeing of individuals within the community. Be it through skill enhancement, personal development or increased self-esteem, Atwea’s objective of being a conduit through which individuals unlock their potential is being realised every day. We hope that by contributing to the development of individuals, Atwea in turns allows those individuals to contribute fully to their community and society in general.
Alesco Senior College is a secondary school, set within an adult learning environment. It is a school which encourages young people to participate in education and training that leads to a sustainable future.
It offers students the opportunity to complete their Higher School Certificate in a supportive environment which focuses on programs to meet individual students learning needs.