Senior Payroll Compliance Officer

St John WA has been serving the Western Australian community since 1922. Our organisation has grown into an integrated healthcare provider, connecting people across WA to lifesaving emergency services, urgent care, and health education.

We are a not-for-profit organisation, and we are committed to making a positive impact on the safety, wellbeing, and health of everyone, no matter where in WA they live. Our services are powered by more than 8,000 dedicated employees and volunteers who bring care, skill, and compassion to every corner of the state.

About the Role:

We are looking for Senior Payroll Compliance Officers to join our Finance team on a permanent full-time basis based in our head office in Belmont.

Payroll at St John WA is transforming, and we're building a dedicated Senior Payroll Compliance function to help shape its future.

As part of a significant transformation journey, St John WA is establishing a new Payroll Compliance stream focused on strengthening payroll standards, audit readiness, governance and technical capability across the organisation. These newly created roles will play a key role in building the frameworks, practices and expertise that support a modern and sustainable payroll function.

Over the coming years, St John WA will deliver several key initiatives across Human Resources, Time & Attendance and Payroll, including a future payroll system replacement currently planned for 2028. As a Senior Payroll Compliance Officer, you will help shape the standards, controls and practices that support these initiatives while ensuring payroll remains accurate, compliant and fit for the future.

Reporting to the Payroll Manager, you will provide technical leadership across payroll compliance activities, including audits, complex investigations, payroll reviews and continuous improvement initiatives. Working closely with Payroll, Finance and People Services teams, you will help strengthen payroll standards, build organisational capability and support the successful delivery of payroll transformation initiatives.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead payroll compliance reviews, auditing activities and quality assurance processes.
• Interpret and apply complex Awards, Enterprise Agreements, legislation and employment conditions.
• Investigate complex payroll matters, including overpayments, underpayments, back-pay calculations, terminations and employment condition changes.
• Conduct payroll reviews, reconciliations and exception reporting to identify trends, risks and areas requiring corrective action.
• Support internal and external audits through the preparation of reconciliations, documentation, supporting evidence and audit responses.
• Develop, review and maintain payroll procedures, work instructions and operational documentation.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen payroll controls, processes and data integrity.
• Prepare and review payroll reporting to support statutory, compliance and business requirements.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching and support to payroll team members.
• Contribute to payroll transformation initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
• Provide payroll operational support when required to support business continuity.

What You’ll Need:

• 5+ years payroll experience within a medium to large and/or complex organisation.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll legislation, Awards, Enterprise Agreements, taxation, superannuation and payroll best practice.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex employment conditions and payroll rules.
• Experience conducting payroll audits, reconciliations, compliance reviews and complex payroll investigations.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify trends, anomalies and improvement opportunities.
• Experience developing and maintaining payroll procedures, documentation and review processes.
• Proven ability to mentor, coach and support others within a payroll environment.
• High level of attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to provide practical payroll advice.
• Experience with Chris21, including reporting, payroll maintenance, mass updates and data integrity activities, will be highly regarded.
• Payroll qualifications and/or ongoing professional development in payroll, compliance, finance or related disciplines will be highly regarded.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to join St John WA at a pivotal point in its payroll transformation journey and help establish a newly created Payroll Compliance function that will support the future of payroll across the organisation.

Payroll is changing. As technology continues to automate transactional activities, the future of payroll will increasingly rely on specialists who can interpret complex employment conditions, strengthen operational standards, identify risk, improve controls and provide trusted technical advice. These roles have been created to help build that future capability at St John WA, offering the opportunity to lead compliance initiatives, influence best practice and help shape the future direction of payroll at one of Western Australia's most recognised and trusted organisations.

Benefits:

The successful candidate will be offered an interactive and supportive working environment, along with:

• $550 Health and Wellness reimbursement
• 17.5% leave loading
• Corporate uniform
• Salary packaging and novated leasing
• Consumer discounts
• Discounts on first aid equipment
• Complimentary First Aid Training
• Complimentary ambulance cover

Ready to Apply?

To be considered for this opportunity, please click Apply Now. You will need to complete the online application form and submit the following:

1. Up to date CV detailing key experiences and work history.
2. Cover letter addressing relevant experience, skills and Selection Criteria questions outlined below (submissions should be limited to a two-page word document)

Applicants will receive an automated receipt on application. If you have not received this email, please contact the Talent Sourcing team prior to the closing date and time. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Applications that do not include both a cover letter and resume may not be considered.

Alternatively, if you have any questions, please contact Careers on (08) 9334 1436 or via email at careers@stjohnwa.com.au

Applications close on Thursday 27 August 2026 at 6pm.

St John WA is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and diverse workplace where everyone feels safe to be themselves. We encourage applications from people of all ages, genders, nationalities, abilities, and cultural backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the LGBTIQ+ community.

St John WA is a child-safe organisation and takes a proactive approach to child safety. We ensure all children engaged in St John WA services are protected, respected, and empowered. Our commitment is supported by clear policies and procedures that reinforce our safeguarding practices.

St John WA reserves the right to select a shortlist from the applications received. The selection process employed will be at the discretion of St John WA.