19th September, 2026

This is a hands-on role with payroll at its core, supporting a workforce of apprentices and trainees as well as the organisation's broader employee group.
If you've worked in a GTO, apprenticeship organisation or labour hire environment and understand that apprentice payroll has a few more moving parts than a standard payroll, we'd like to hear from you.
What you'll be doing
You'll take ownership of the day-to-day payroll function, including:

- Processing weekly payroll for apprentices and trainees
- Processing payroll for permanent staff, which may operate on a different pay cycle
- Checking timesheets, allowances, overtime, leave and other payroll inputs
- Ensuring employees are paid correctly under the relevant awards and employment arrangements
- Managing superannuation, PAYG, leave and other payroll-related obligations
- Maintaining accurate employee and payroll records
- Assisting with payroll reconciliations and reporting
- Supporting payroll tax and other statutory requirements
- Working with finance and management to resolve payroll queries and discrepancies
- Assisting employees and apprentices with payroll and entitlement queries

You'll also provide some broader HR administration and employee management support, including onboarding, employee records, documentation, contracts and general HR administration.
The GTO difference
This is where your industry knowledge really matters.
You'll ideally understand the apprenticeship and traineeship system, including the additional administration and funding considerations that come with employing apprentices through a GTO.
That might include:





- Understanding apprenticeship and traineeship training contracts
- Apprentice and trainee awards, rates and conditions
- Host employer arrangements
- Allowances and apprentice-specific entitlements
- Government incentives, rebates and funding programs
- Payroll tax treatment of apprentice and trainee wages
- Working with training providers and other apprenticeship stakeholders
- Maintaining accurate records to support funding, incentives and compliance

You don't necessarily need to know every current program from day one. What matters is that you understand how the GTO/apprenticeship system works and have the experience to navigate its moving parts.
For example, NSW GTOs are responsible for paying apprentice wages and entitlements, while apprentice wages can also have specific payroll-tax rebate considerations.
What we're looking for
Essential

- Solid end-to-end payroll experience
- Strong understanding of Australian payroll legislation and awards
- Experience processing payroll with multiple pay cycles
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail
- Confidence dealing with payroll queries and resolving issues
- Robust Excel and payroll systems skills
- Good understanding of superannuation, PAYG, leave and employee entitlements

Highly regarded

- Experience working for a GTO or Group Training Organisation




- Strong understanding of the Australian apprenticeship and traineeship system
- Labour hire payroll experience
- Experience working with apprentice/trainee awards and allowances
- Understanding of government apprenticeship incentives, rebates and funding
- Experience with payroll tax and apprentice wage rebates
- Experience working with training providers, hosts and apprenticeship stakeholders
- Some HR administration experience

The person
We're looking for someone who is organised, practical and switched on.
Someone who enjoys getting payroll right, doesn't panic when there are a few unusual apprentice pay scenarios to work through, and can comfortably move between payroll, HR administration and helping an employee sort out a problem.
You'll need to be comfortable working independently, but you'll also be part of a team where people genuinely rely on you to keep things moving.
Location & flexibility
The role is based in Norwest, Sydney.
We envisage four days in the office and one day working from home, although there is some flexibility for the right person.
If you prefer working in the office every day, that's also absolutely fine.
Why this role?
This is a great opportunity to join an organisation doing meaningful work supporting apprentices and trainees into their careers, while taking genuine ownership of an important business function.
It's a role where your payroll expertise will be valued, and where your knowledge of GTOs, apprenticeships and the vocational education system will make a real difference.
Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation.

📌 Payroll & HR Administrator (Sydney)
🏢 Careers in Demand
📍 Sydney