Careers

• Be based in either Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide 
• Flexible 4:1 work arrangements
• Generous leave policies including purchased and parental leave

About us

HWL Ebsworth is not your typical law firm. Our rapid rise to become the largest legal partnership in Australia shows that in our case, the differences are real. We deliver first class legal advice to our government and commercial clients in every state and territory across Australia. Firm wide, we have over 270 Partners and 1700 people.

The opportunity

The Payroll Officer is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for all employees across the firm. This role ensures compliance with relevant legislation, firm policies, while delivering a high standard of customer service to staff and Partners. The Payroll Officer will work closely with P&D, Finance, and other stakeholders to resolve payroll matters and support process improvement initiatives.

You'll be busy with

• managing the end-to-end processing of the national fortnightly payroll for approximately 1,700 employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal and policy requirements.
• maintaining employee records in the payroll system, including onboarding new starters, processing terminations, managing leave, and updating employment conditions.
• interpreting and applying employment agreements, awards, and relevant legislation such as the Fair Work Act, superannuation, and taxation requirements.
• reconciling payroll accounts, including PAYG, superannuation, and other statutory deductions.
• supporting month-end and year-end processes through accurate reconciliations and reporting.
• preparing and lodging statutory returns including PAYG, Superannuation, and Single Touch Payroll (STP).
• responding to payroll-related queries from staff and Partners in a timely, professional, and customer-focused manner.
• assisting with internal audits by providing relevant payroll documentation and insights.
• contributing to the ongoing improvement of payroll processes, systems, and internal controls.

To succeed in this role, ideally, you'll have

• minimum 3 years’ experience in payroll processing, preferably within a large organisation.
• strong understanding of payroll legislation, awards, and compliance requirements.
• proficiency with payroll and HRIS systems (experience with ADP highly regarded).
• intermediate Microsoft Excel skills.
• high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and problem-solving ability.
• strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a focus on customer service.
• ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

What we offer

• Unrivalled career pathways: Our 180-day career forecasting sessions provide the platform to fast-track your progression.
• Great culture and a huge networking platform: Be part of a firm renowned for its friendly and down-to-earth culture. We also have sports clubs & social clubs.
• Prestige: Join a firm consistently ranked at the forefront of the Australian legal market, where your work is recognised nationally.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV via the 'Apply' function. Applicants must have full working rights in Australia. HWL Ebsworth also strongly encourages applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

HWL Ebsworth strives to create an inclusive environment where our people want and feel comfortable to bring their entire selves to work. Varied perspectives contribute to our collective success so whatever your background, we'd love to hear from you and encourage you to apply. If you have reasonable accessibility requirements that will enable you to participate equitably in our recruitment process, please reach out to Gianni Sgualdino for a confidential discussion.