Permanent, part time (11.4 hours per week) hybrid work arrangements

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Officer to join our small Finance Team.

Working as an effective member of the broader school administration team, under the direction of the Business Manager, the Payroll Officer must be willing to learn, engage and work from our Vision and Core Principles and will deliver the school's payroll service.

Role Overview

The Payroll Officer plays a mission critical role in ensuring that the largest and crucial component of the school’s expenditure is processed on a regular basis with precision and care. This position will suit a professional with significant payroll experience looking for a part-time role in a beautiful school environment, working within a collegial and supportive team.

The Payroll Officer is responsible for processing the fortnightly payroll for over 100 employees in an efficient, accurate and timely manner. This role is also responsible for all payroll, PAYG, superannuation and salary sacrifice payment setups.

Key Responsibilities

The Payroll Officer directly supports and assists the Business Manager. The position involves collaborative working relationship with other Finance team members, broader administration team members and HR, as well as liaison with other staff, both teaching and non-teaching, within the school. Tasks are performed independently with minimal general supervision with the required approvals by the Business Manager and Principal. Duties include (but are not limited to) the following:

Payroll

• Prepare and process the school payroll for teaching and non-teaching staff
• Ensure all employees are paid accurately in accordance with the contracts, Enterprise Agreement, and relevant legislation
• Maintain payroll system and records
• Calculate annual leave and long service leave accruals and entitlements
• Process, monitor and reconcile paid parental leave and government paid parental leave
• Calculate termination payments
• Monitor and process step increases
• Ensure PAYG tax and expense salary packaging are paid on time
• Manage, investigate, and respond to payroll queries in a timely manner and provide guidance on the legislation, income taxes, employee benefits and other related entitlements
• Liaise with superannuation funds and members, as required
• Single touch payroll reporting

End of Month

• Assist the Senior Accountant in reconciling general ledger payroll accounts with the payroll ledger.
• Collaborate with the Senior Accountant to ensure the associated clearing accounts are reconciled.
• Prepare and remit monthly superannuation payments and salary deductions by the due date.

End of Financial Year

• Prepare and reconcile Employer Payment Summary report.
• Reconcile Single Touch Payroll to BAS for Year End reporting.
• Prepare and lodge Employee Payment Statements in accordance with the Australian Taxation Office guidelines.

Other Duties

• Collaborate with HR for set up of new employee records in the school management system (Synergetic).
• Assist the Business Manager with review of payroll processes and controls.

Applicant requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualifications, or a combination of qualifications and relevant experience.
• Proven 2-3 years minimum experience in end-to-end payroll processing (preferably in education industry).
• Familiarity with Synergetic payroll highly desirable
• Sound understanding of payroll systems and processes and related tax issues, employment law related issues and Enterprise Agreements
• Proven experience in reconciliations
• Ability to liaise professionally and confidentially with staff and various external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated high regard for confidentiality, discretion and the ability to work harmoniously and collaboratively with others
• Demonstrated organisational and time management skills together with resourcefulness and initiative to manage multiple priorities.
• Possess advanced computer skills in Microsoft Excel and payroll software.
• Have excellent attention to accuracy and fine detail.
• Possess outstanding written and interpersonal communication skills.

The successful candidate must also:

• hold ACT Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Registration; and
• be eligible to work in Australia, unrestricted.

What we offer:

• the right to disconnect outside of work hours for a better work/life balance
• salary sacrificing
• free onsite parking
• discounted school fees for eligible employees
• our commitment to maintaining a physically and psychosocially safe environment for all staff, students and visitors to the school.

Salary and conditions of employment are determined by the Independent Schools ACT (Support and Operational Staff) Staff Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2021. We are currently in the implementation phase of a new agreement.

The hybrid work pattern required is:

Week A (Pay week)

• Tuesday full day onsite
• Wednesday half day remote

Week B

• Half day remote (day to be discussed with successful candidate)
• Friday full day onsite

Probation

There is a 6-month probationary period.

To Apply

Please submit your application through the Seek ‘Quick Apply’ button and ensure you include:

• Your updated resume including the names, positions and contact details for two professional referees (one of which is your current/most recent direct supervisor).
• A cover letter/statement (no more than 2 pages) introducing yourself and addressing the applicant requirements listed above including specific examples from your experience.

Closing Date

The last day to submit an application is Sunday, 30 March 2025 however, the position will be closed sooner if a suitable applicant is found.

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Orana Steiner School is a vibrant, growing co-educational Early Childhood to Year 12 school of around 550 students. Set within a natural landscape and on a magnificent 16-hectare property in Weston, an inner south suburb of Canberra, Orana seeks to provide a high-quality education for its students, based on the Steiner Education tradition. In its 40-year history, Orana Steiner School has developed an enviable reputation for its standards and achievements, and its warm, caring culture. Orana proudly employs applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds.

In Primary School, we value individual difference. We believe in self-responsibility and in the values needed to become connected and contributing citizens. We seek to support our students to be capable of personal endeavour and community involvement. The education we provide develops creative and imaginative thinking and aims to instill in our students a love of learning, a sense of wonder, an appreciation of beauty and a connection to the world.

The High School teaching program assists students in taking increasing responsibility for their own learning and to develop their own ideals, values and sense of purpose for adult life. The High School encourages students to become independent thinkers; use their own observations, research, and draw conclusions and judgements; form relationships with specialist teachers; address questions and problems in specialist subjects, and to develop a wide range of expertise as well as an active, articulate and well-rounded thinking capacity.

The Senior College curriculum is comprehensive and carefully designed to balance a Steiner approach with the contemporary requirements stipulated by the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies. This broad, integrated approach to the Senior College curriculum emphasises the development of well-rounded students through equal exposure to Arts and Sciences, together with a range of electives. Orana’s tradition of extensive pastoral care for its students continues into the Senior College.

Orana Steiner School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of its students in accordance with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and child safety legislation. The successful candidates must hold (or be eligible to obtain and maintain) a Working with Vulnerable People (WwVP) registration and undergo a National Police Check.

Please visit our website to find out more: https://oranaschool.com