People and Culture Officer

The Essington School is an independent, co-educational school in Darwin, offering education from Preschool to Year 12. For more than forty years, we have been recognised for our innovative approach, academic excellence, and strong sense of community. Our staff are dedicated to creating a supportive environment where students are inspired to achieve their best and develop as confident, capable, and community-minded individuals.

Benefits:

6 Weeks Annual Leave.

Staff student tuition fee discount

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a detail-driven People and Culture Officer to deliver high-quality payroll and HR administration at The Essington School. The successful applicant will keep people data accurate, ensure pay is compliant and timely, and support a smooth employee experience from recruitment to offboarding. The role works closely with the People and Culture Manager, Finance, and operational leaders to maintain efficient systems and drive improvements.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll:

Process end-to-end payroll, including PAYG, superannuation, payroll tax, and government reporting

Maintain accurate data for starters, changes, and terminations

Ensure compliance and data integrity across payroll functions

Interpret and apply Awards, agreements, and legislation (across multiple roles/classifications)

Reconcile and remit statutory payments; liaise with funds as required

Submit STP each cycle and manage year-end finalisation

Administer WorkCover, parental leave, and other statutory claims

Maintain payroll GL mapping and support payroll reporting/audits

Human Resources:

Support recruitment by drafting advertisements, preparing contracts, and monitoring onboarding compliance

Coordinate onboarding/offboarding processes and system access

Maintain personnel files in line with privacy and recordkeeping requirements

Prepare employment documentation (e.g., variations, position descriptions, confirmations)

Respond to HR queries and guide managers on policy and procedure

Track compliance (WWCC, licences, visas) and maintain training records

Assist with learning and development activities, HR projects, and events

About you

Qualification in HR, Payroll, or Accounting

Demonstrated experience in payroll processing and HR administration

Knowledge of Awards, agreements, and employment legislation

Proficiency with payroll/HRIS systems and Microsoft Office

High attention to detail, organisational ability, confidentiality, and strong communication skills

Desirable:

Experience in the not-for-profit sector

Mandatory Requirements

Valid Working With Children Clearance.

Satisfactory Criminal History Check.

Further Information

For a detailed position description please contact [email protected] or visit employment section of website

All applications should be accompanied by a cover letter detailing suitability for the position and a copy of your CV.

Applications close Friday 19 September 2025.

The Essington School reserves the right to fill this position prior to the advertised closing date.