Payroll Officer – Remote

About The Role

APEM Group Australia are looking for a Payroll Officer (FTE 0.7 – 0.8) to join our Finance team in a pivotal role as we continue our growth journey. This is a unique opportunity to help shape a best-practice finance function as APEM Group (UK) expands its operations across Australia and the broader Asia Pacific region.

We understand the importance of work-life balance and offer flexibility to structure your hours around personal commitments – whether you’re a parent, caregiver, pursuing further study, or simply seeking a role that fits your lifestyle. This position is predominantly remote, with occasional office visits for team collaboration, typically once a month or as needed.

As Payroll Officer, you will report to the Financial Controller and take full ownership of payroll operations across Australia. You’ll play a critical role in ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, maintaining data integrity, and delivering a seamless, inclusive employee experience.

A key part of this role will be working closely with People & Culture, Finance, and other business units to ensure payroll processes are accurate, timely, and aligned with internal policies and external regulations. You’ll be the go-to for payroll queries, system maintenance, and statutory reporting, supporting both day-to-day operations and strategic growth initiatives.

We’re open to candidates based anywhere in Australia, with a preference for those located along the eastern seaboard, including Victoria, New South Wales, or Queensland. Location is flexible due to the remote nature of the role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Payroll Processing: Manage end-to-end payroll across all Australian entities, ensuring accurate and timely payments for full-time, part-time, casual, and fixed-term employees.
• Awards & Agreements: Monitor and apply relevant Awards and employee agreements, identifying and resolving discrepancies in collaboration with P&C.
• Business Unit Specifics: Apply TOIL, unsociable hours, and leave provisions accurately across business units.
• Systems & Data Integrity: Maintain payroll systems and employee data, ensuring accuracy during onboarding, remuneration reviews, and offboarding.
• Compliance & Reporting: Stay abreast of legislative changes, produce monthly reports, and ensure timely submissions for payroll tax, Workcover, and other statutory filings.
• External Communication: Liaise with regulatory bodies including the State Revenue Office and Single Touch Payroll, responding to queries within compliance timeframes.
• Superannuation & Individual Circumstances: Manage superannuation clearance house processes and individual pay requirements (e.g. salary sacrifice, child support, HECS).
• Global Support: Assist with payroll setup for employees abroad, identifying risks and supporting legislative compliance.

You will have the following skills/knowledge/experience:

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in related roles.
• Must have full working rights in Australia.
• Cert 3 in Accounts Administration, Diploma Payroll Services, or equivalent is preferrable.
• Experience managing end-to-end payroll for multiple entities, ideally in a complex or multi-brand environment.
• Strong knowledge of Australian payroll legislation, Awards, and statutory reporting requirements.
• Excellent attention to detail and data integrity, with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving discrepancies.
• Experience and confidence using payroll systems and tools, with a commitment to keeping systems up to date.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Experience supporting audits and liaising with external regulatory bodies.
• A commitment to confidentiality, accuracy, and inclusive employee support throughout the payroll lifecycle.

About us:

APEM Group is a leading global environmental consulting firm providing expert advice to clients in a wide range of industries including water, renewables, infrastructure, marine and ports, transport, construction, and development. Following a significant growth journey with operations based in the UK, EU and USA, APEM Group strategically expanded into Australia in early 2024. Our presence in the Australian market will further enhance the aim of expanding on our consultancy services in both the Australian market and wider Asia Pacific region as part of the next stage of our Global growth journey.

As the Group continues to grow, the role will develop and grow alongside it. You will become a trusted advisor, being called upon when the business is looking to make financial decisions to help with decision making. Your opinion will be valued not only as a financial expert but also due to your ideas and support in wider business thinking.

Next Steps!

If this opportunity sounds like a great fit, we’d love to hear from you!

At APEM, we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. Even if you don’t meet every requirement listed, we encourage you to apply – we value potential and are open to supporting your growth.

To apply, please submit your resume along with a brief cover letter that includes three words you’d use to describe yourself.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to learn more, feel free to reach out to our People & Culture team at ausrecruitment@apemgroup.com.