Payroll officer salary in Australia: where it sits on the national index

What is a payroll officer salary in Australia?

A payroll officer salary in Australia depends on experience, location, and the award or agreement that applies. The most current public data comes from Jobs and Skills Australia, which tracks earnings for Payroll Clerks (ANZSCO 5513) – the occupation group that includes payroll officers. Their May 2025 survey found a median full-time weekly earnings of $1,606. That works out to about $83,512 a year before tax.

To see where that sits on the Salary Index, we compare it to the national line: 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The payroll officer median of $83,512 gives an index of roughly 77. That means the typical payroll officer earns about 23% less than the national average, but still well above the national minimum wage index of 48.2 ($52,255 per year).

How the salary index works for payroll officers

The index is a simple way to compare any pay figure to the national benchmark. Take the annual gross salary, divide by $108,352, and multiply by 100. For a payroll officer earning $83,512, the calculation is:

83,512 ÷ 108,352 × 100 = 77.1

A figure under 100 means below the national ordinary-time average. A figure over 100 means above it. You can read more about how the index works.

Where the data comes from

Jobs and Skills Australia publishes occupation profiles using the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours. For Payroll Clerks, the median hourly earnings are $44, and 71% work full-time (average 41 hours per week). The occupation is predominantly female (84%) with a median age of 46 years. Keep in mind this is a broad group – it includes payroll officers, payroll clerks, and similar roles. Individual salaries can be higher or lower depending on the employer and industry.

Awards and minimum rates

Many payroll officers are covered by modern awards such as the Clerks Award or the Professional Employees Award. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides that list minimum rates for each classification. From 1 July 2026, award minimum rates rose by 4.75% following the Annual Wage Review. The national minimum wage itself is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week (index 48.2). A payroll officer on an award classification would typically earn more than the national minimum, but the exact rate depends on the level and duties.

For example, an entry-level clerical classification might have a minimum hourly rate around $25.74 (index about 62). A more experienced payroll officer could be classified at a higher level, pushing the salary closer to or above the median.

State and territory differences

Where you work affects the index too. The states page shows how average earnings vary:

• New South Wales: index 101.2 ($109,658 annualised)
• Victoria: index 98.0 ($106,137)
• Queensland: index 97.9 ($106,064)
• South Australia: index 94.6 ($102,450)
• Western Australia: index 106.9 ($115,825)
• Tasmania: index 88.6 ($96,008)
• Northern Territory: index 95.2 ($103,173)
• Australian Capital Territory: index 109.9 ($119,090)

A payroll officer in Western Australia or the ACT might expect a higher salary than one in Tasmania or South Australia, reflecting the broader state earnings patterns.

Industries that employ payroll officers

Jobs and Skills Australia lists the top industries for Payroll Clerks as Health Care and Social Assistance, Public Administration and Safety, and Construction. Each industry has its own average earnings on the index:

• Health care and social assistance: index 97.8
• Public administration and safety: index not separately listed but likely above 100
• Construction: index not listed but typically above national average

A payroll officer working in a large hospital or government department may earn more than one in a small retail business. The industries page gives more detail on sector benchmarks.

Superannuation and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% on earnings up to $270,830. So on a $83,512 salary, the employer would contribute about $10,021 to super. That’s on top of the salary figure.

For tax, a resident earning $83,512 in 2026–27 would pay approximately:

• Nil on the first $18,200
• 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020)
• 30% on the next $38,512 ($11,554)
• Plus 2% Medicare levy ($1,670)
• Total tax and Medicare around $17,244, leaving a take-home of about $66,268 per year (before any HELP repayments or other deductions).

Where to find more

If you’re looking for current award rates, the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool is the best starting point. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database also provides detailed spreadsheets of minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates. For occupation-level earnings, Jobs and Skills Australia’s occupation profiles are a reliable guide, though they are updated less frequently.

For a broader view of how different roles compare, the topics page covers various occupations and their position on the salary index.

The bottom line

The typical payroll officer salary in Australia sits at an index of about 77, meaning it is below the national full-time ordinary-time average but above the minimum wage floor. Actual pay depends on the award classification, industry, state, and experience. Use the salary index to benchmark any offer against the national line.