AustralianCourses
Career pathway

Payroll Clerks

ANZSCO 5513

Employed

51,700

Part-time share

29%

Female share

84%

Median weekly earnings

$1,606

Median age

46 yrs

Employment outlook

Growing

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia · ABS 2021 Census of Population and Housing.

About this career

Payroll Clerks prepare payrolls and related records for employee salaries and statutory record-keeping purposes.

What they typically do

  • Creating files for new employees to record payroll data
  • Maintaining and updating files for existing employees to record information such as employee contact details, leave taken, overtime, promotions, transfers, tax deductions, health insurance payments and superannuation
  • Preparing payroll data from time sheets and other payroll and personnel records
  • Processing payment of wages and salaries
  • Issuing and recording adjustments to employees' pay
  • Interpreting industrial awards
  • Providing information to employees and managers about payroll matters such as tax issues, benefits and deductions
  • Finalising files and arrangements when employees retire, resign or transfer
  • May be in involved in maintaining superannuation and other deduction and contribution records

States and territories

Share of workers by location

NSW
28.3%
QLD
27.9%
VIC
23%
WA
10.3%
SA
6.5%
TAS
1.6%
ACT
1.5%
NT
0.9%

Qualification pathways

These accredited qualifications can lead to a career as a Payroll Clerks.