How to become a Payroll Officer
Also called: Payroll Clerk
Collects, organises and enters information into payroll systems to calculate pay and deductions of employees.
Main tasks
- Creates and maintains employee records
- Processes payments to employees, including pay adjustments
- Prepares separation certificates or transfers
- Interprets and applies legislation, awards and enterprise agreements
- Maintains records relating to leave taken, overtime, promotions, transfers and other variations to wages or salaries and employment arrangements
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Accounts Administration (FNS30322); Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping (FNS40222); Diploma of Payroll Services (FNS50422); Advanced Diploma of Accounting (FNS60222); Certificate IV in Human Resource Management (BSB40420); Diploma of Accounting (FNS50222)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $83,512 a year
- About 52,300 people work in this job group now, and about 55,200 are projected by 2035. (+5.5%)
- Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.
Related jobs
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become a Payroll Officer?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Accounts Administration; Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping.
How much does a Payroll Officer earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $83,512 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Payroll Officer a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 52,300 to about 55,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Payroll Officer?
Not always. 27% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Accounts Administration; Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping.
Will AI change the work of a Payroll Officer?
Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04