About Us Catholic Education Northern Territory (CENT) operates 18 Catholic schools across the Northern Territory, from Early Learning to Secondary, including remote schools. Our schools are places of learning, connection, and growth, guided by the values of Wisdom, Justice, Courage, Compassion, and Love. This role is based at the Catholic Education Office (CEO) in Berrimah.

The Position As Senior Payroll Officer, you'll play a key role in delivering accurate, efficient and compliant payroll services across Catholic Education Northern Territory (CENT).

You’ll provide advanced payroll support, guidance and training to payroll staff and school-based payroll staff, while also assisting with the consistent rollout and use of TechnologyOne (Tech1). Working collaboratively within the Payroll team and across CENT, you’ll help ensure best-practice payroll operations and compliance with the Enterprise Agreement, legislation and policies.

You’ll be part of CENT’s School Services, Payroll team, reporting to the Payroll Manager. This is a full-time permanent position.

Why work for Catholic Education NT?

Salary of $95k - $97k plus super

35-hour working week (8:30am - 4:30pm)

Five weeks' annual leave plus additional leave entitlements

Salary packaging and novated leasing options

Leave loading equal to 17.5% of 4 weeks' salary

Employee rewards program (discounts at 450+ retailers)

Discounted school fees for eligible employees

Professional development and career growth opportunities

Free on-site parking - Berrimah office

Key Responsibilities

Process and review fortnightly payroll in line with CENT procedures, legislation and enterprise agreements

Ensure compliance with taxation, superannuation and other statutory requirements

Manage complex payroll queries and provide high-level, confident advice to staff

Assist with payroll reconciliations, reporting and audit requirements





Mentor and support Payroll Officers and school-based payroll staff to apply payroll processes consistently

Train recent payroll employees in the use of TechnologyOne

Work closely with payroll staff to keep payroll operations uniform across schools

Troubleshoot payroll system issues and liaise with ICT or system providers where needed

Stay on top of payroll system updates, legislation and process changes

Support the Payroll Manager with CENT Enterprise payroll, including helping school payroll staff through the transition to enterprise payroll management

Ensure all payroll practices align with CENT policies, procedures and safeguarding requirements

About You You're an experienced payroll professional who has:

Demonstrated payroll processing experience, preferably in TechnologyOne

Sound knowledge of relevant legislation, industrial instruments and payroll compliance requirements

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage complex payroll matters

High-level written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to train and support staff across varying locations

A trusted approach to handling private and sensitive information

Strong organisational skills, with the ability to juggle competing priorities, meet deadlines and manage large volumes of information

Understanding and support of the ethos of Catholic education.

NT Working with Children Clearance (Ochre Card). or is willing to obtain

Desirable Criteria

Tertiary qualifications in payroll, accounting or finance

Experience leading or mentoring staff

Familiarity with payroll operations in the education or not-for-profit sector

Full details of the role and requirements can be found in the Position Description within the Application Package.

The Catholic Education Office reserves the right to close this advertisement early or extend it beyond the closing date.

Applications close: 20 October 2026

📌 Senior Payroll Officer (Darwin City)
🏢 Catholic Education Northern Territory
📍 Darwin City