Central Highlands Regional Council – Emerald QLD

Work Type:

Maximum Term Full Time - 12 Months

Directorate:

Corporate Services

Award & Salary:

In accordance with relevant industrial agreements, including the applicable Award, Order or Certified Agreement

Central Highlands Regional Council (CHRC) is seeking a motivated, reliable, and eager-to-learn trainee to join our payroll team. This is an exciting opportunity to gain full time, paid work while working towards a Certificate III in Business.

As a trainee, you'll gain hands‑on experience supporting CHRC’s Payroll team through a range of payroll and administrative tasks, including payroll processing, employee record management, reporting, and customer service. This hands‑on experience, combined with formal training, will provide you with valuable skills, knowledge, and practical workplace experience to build a successful career in payroll, administration, and business services.

What you’ll bring

A positive attitude and genuine willingness to learn

A reliable approach to teamwork, with a focus on following instructions

Basic computer literacy and confidence using Microsoft Office applications

Strong attention to detail and accuracy

Good numerical and problem‑solving skills

Sound written and verbal communication skills

The ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately

Teamwork skills and the capacity to contribute to an office‑based environment

A commitment to completing a Certificate III in Business

Please note:

Although a current driver's licence is not mandatory for this role,



you must ensure that you have a reliable means of transportation to and from work.

What you'll be doing

Assisting with payroll processing, including collecting, checking, and entering timesheet information

Learning how to calculate wages, overtime, allowances, and other payroll‑related payments

Supporting payroll compliance activities, including superannuation, taxation, and statutory deductions

Assisting with leave processing and maintaining accurate employee records

Creating and updating employee information within payroll systems, including onboarding and employment changes

Responding to employee payroll enquiries and providing customer‑focused support

Liaising with Payroll, Human Resources, Recruitment, and Injury Management teams as required

Assisting with payroll reporting, reconciliations, and audit preparation

Why work for Central Highlands Regional Council? At CHRC, we're committed to creating opportunities for the next generation of skilled workers. As the winner of the 2022 and 2024 Regional Queensland Training Awards – Large Employer of the Year, as well as producing the 2022 Apprentice of the Year and 2023 Equity Student of the Year,



we have a proven track record of supporting apprentices and trainees to achieve their career goals.

At CHRC, there’s a rewarding path and an incredible future waiting for you. Through hands‑on experience, structured training, and supportive mentoring, you'll have the opportunity to develop valuable skills, gain a nationally recognised qualification, and build a rewarding career close to home.

We also offer great benefits including:

Five weeks annual leave with 17.5% leave loading

Fortnightly RDO’s

Full uniform allocation

Payroll deductions and salary sacrifice options

Wages paid fortnightly

Employee Assistance Program

Fitness Passport member benefits

To be eligible for this traineeship, you must:

Be at least 15 years of age and no longer at school

Meet citizen, residency, and visa requirements to undertake a traineeship

Not hold a qualification equal to or higher than the traineeship qualification in the same field

Where trainee positions are funded through government initiatives, they may be subject to additional eligibility requirements. We strongly encourage applications from the following groups:

Young people (aged 15–24 years, including those in and transitioned from out-of-home care)

Long-term unemployed job seekers

Mature-age job seekers (aged 45 years or older)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Migrants and refugees

People with disability

Displaced workers

Women re-entering the workforce

Veterans and ex-service personnel and their families

Applications close: Monday 19th October 2026 at 8am.

📌 Payroll Trainee (Emerald)
🏢 Central Highlands Regional Council
📍 Emerald