Payroll Officer

• Hybrid Working
• Full time permanent role (based on 35 hours per week)
• Fortnightly RDO
• Salary: $84k - $95k + Super
• Ability to transfer or take LSL (Long Service Leave) within Local Government

Merri-bek City Council is a progressive council of 175,000 residents: one community, proudly diverse. Our council area sits within the banks of the Merri Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek, and includes Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, Gowanbrae, Hadfield, Oak Park and Pascoe Vale. Our city is vibrant and energetic, known for its active community, cultural diversity, creative industries and the arts. Our long-term vision has ambitious goals for environmental sustainability, social justice, community wellbeing, and creating great places. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne's CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food and cafés right at the doorstep.

Merri-bek Council strives to be a contemporary, innovative and collaborative organisation with a deep commitment to engaging and supporting the Merri-bek community.  Our organisational vision is to be one team, brave and diverse, making a difference.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We offer flexible and hybrid work options and genuinely care about providing our staff work/life balance. With the Civic Centre located in Coburg, 8 kilometres north of Melbourne's CBD, there are excellent public transport options and great food, cafés, parks and a cinema right at the doorstep.  Merri-bek is a great place to live, work and play.

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Officer to join a team where your work makes a genuine impact. This role offers the opportunity to build on your payroll expertise while contributing to a team culture that values equity, diversity, inclusion, and service to the community. You will gain exposure to complex payroll processing, enterprise agreement interpretation, and continuous improvement projects while working closely within a supportive team.

• Processing of payroll for approximately 1,200 staff on a fortnightly cycle (using iChris & Humanforce)
• Provide timely and accurate payroll services to employees of Merri-bek City Council and external bodies in relation to all payroll queries.
• Prepare, distribute and reconcile payroll payments and electronic funds transfer fortnightly
• Sort payroll queries, paperwork and mail accordingly and attend action changes within relevant pay periods.
• Provide payroll updates to the Payroll Coordinator/Senior Payroll Officer and other Human Resource staff as requested.
• Prepare and calculate employee leave payments ensuring employee has adequate leave balances to cover time requested and ensure that payment is made on time.
• Abide by and maintain current protocols, procedures and guidelines to ensure data is input in a correct and consistent format.
• Maintain constructive and collaborative working relationships with members of the Human Resources team and other council departments.
• Administer Masterfile changes i.e. rate changes, FTE, allowances and deductions.
• Process new starters
• Process employee terminations (where appropriate).
• Investigate and resolve payroll queries in a timely manner.
• Contribute to the ongoing improvement of payroll systems and processes, supporting efficiency and accuracy across the team.

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field and/or relevant experience in a payroll position with high volume payroll processing.
• Demonstrated experience with payroll system 'Chris21/iChris'
• Demonstrated experience with Time & Attendance systems (Humanforce desirable)
• Strong time management skills with the ability to prioritise and work to strict deadlines.
• Highly developed communication skills with the ability to provide a high level of customer service.
• A high level of attention to detail and accuracy with a focus on numeracy.
• The ability to interpret Enterprise Agreement and operate within fast paced environment.
• Knowledge of Australian and Victorian employee taxation provisions.
• Knowledge of SG Legislation and Vision Super plans.
• A high level of computer literacy with the ability to use Microsoft Office applications, particularly Microsoft Excel and the ability to learn other corporate and financial systems with ease.

• Fortnightly RDO
• Extensive opportunities for training & career development
• Salary sacrifice options
• A real sense of work-life balance & flexible work options
• Employer-supported study assistance schemes
• Wellness programs

• Up to 20 weeks primary & up to 5 weeks secondary parental leave
• Purchase leave
• Ceremonial leave
• Gender affirmation leave
• Family violence leave

For further information about this position please contact Sarah Johnstone on

Applications close: 11:30pm, Monday 8 September 2025.

*in the case that we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close this advertisement before the current closing date.

Before submitting an application, please view the Position Description.

Please note that when applying for this role, you may be required to attach your valid Qualifications.  Please have this ready when completing your application.

Please fill out an application using our online recruitment system. You will be required to upload your CV, a cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience. You do not need to respond to the individual Key Selection Criteria. Please also upload any other relevant documents.

*Please note that some documents relating to this position may reference Moreland City Council. We are in the process of updating the councils new name of Merri-bek City Council.

Please note that applications must only be submitted online, applications will not be accepted via email.

Merri-bek City Council is proudly diverse and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, people with disability, and people from every culture, sexuality and gender identity, age and ethnic background. Merri-bek City Council is a Child Safe organisation.

Merri-bek is focused on diverse representation of the community we serve. With this we value lived experience that could contribute to the shaping of this role and in turn will continue to provide representation and growth of safe and inclusive work culture.

We encourage everyone to apply and discuss opportunities to develop your knowledge and experience.  Council is committed to removing barriers and access to employment where possible at any point in the recruitment, onboarding and during your time at Council. For further information regarding access or modifications you may require for a recruitment process please contact Danni Jovanovic, Recruitment Business Partner on -

In May 2021, Merri-bek Council adopted a revised Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the municipality. The statement recognises the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of our municipality.

Merri-bek City Council is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We believe children and young people have the right to be and feel safe and that their safety and wellbeing is the responsibility of everyone. You can read more about our Child Safety Commitment Statement on our website.