Payroll compliance for small business
Australia
Clear, Australian-focused guidance for SME owners and managers on payroll obligations, record-keeping, and avoiding underpayments.
No signup required • PDF format
Important: This guide provides general educational information only and does not constitute legal, payroll, or workplace advice. For specific situations, consult the Fair Work Ombudsman or a qualified professional.
$1B+
recovered by FWO since 2018
6
common payroll risk areas
16
pages of guidance
SMEs
practical focus
Six critical insights for australian employers
Our review of Australian payroll enforcement trends highlights these key insights for small businesses.
Accuracy is essential
Even minor payroll errors can create underpayment risk
Intent does not excuse mistakes
Good intentions do not override legal obligations
Awards drive payroll outcomes
Payroll compliance starts with award understanding
Records are critical
Incomplete records increase exposure in disputes
Errors compound over time
Small issues often grow into large liabilities
Regulatory scrutiny is increasing
Payroll compliance remains a top enforcement priority
What you'll learn
This 16-page guide covers payroll compliance essentials for Australian SMEs, from understanding obligations to practical compliance actions.
- What payroll compliance means for Australian employers
- Who payroll laws apply to
- Common payroll compliance risks SMEs face
- How to get pay rates and classifications right
- Penalties, overtime and loadings explained
- Leave, super and other entitlements
- Payroll records and reporting requirements
- Practical actions compliant SMEs are taking
Where SMEs most often go wrong
Small businesses most often fall into non-compliance due to these common issues.
Incorrect award selection
Applying the wrong award to employees based on assumptions rather than actual duties.
Misclassified employees
Assigning employees to incorrect classification levels, resulting in wrong pay rates.
Missed penalty rates or overtime
Failing to apply correct penalties for weekends, public holidays, or overtime thresholds.
Inaccurate time records
Poor time tracking that leads to incorrect hours being paid.
Trusted australian sources
This guide draws on official regulatory guidance and research from leading Australian institutions.
Is this guide right for you?
SME owners
Business owners who need to understand their payroll obligations and avoid underpayment risks.
Payroll staff
Payroll professionals who process pay and need to ensure correct calculations and record-keeping.
HR managers
HR professionals overseeing employee entitlements, classifications and compliance.
Get your free guide today
Practical, evidence-based guidance to help you understand payroll compliance and avoid common mistakes.
Download free e-guideMore free resources
Modern awards explained
Free e-guide on modern awards for hospitality, retail and aged care.
Download e-guideTime & attendance compliance
Free e-guide on time and attendance compliance for Australian SMEs.
Download e-guideFree HR templates
Downloadable policies, forms, and templates for Australian workplaces.
Browse templatesRosterElf's award interpretation engine automatically calculates correct pay rates, penalties, and allowances for Australian awards. Our HR software maintains compliant employee records and classifications, while our payroll integration ensures accurate timesheet data flows seamlessly to your payroll system, reducing underpayment risk and manual errors.
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5.0 average rating Frequently asked questions
- This 16-page guide covers payroll compliance for Australian small businesses, including pay rates, classifications, penalties, overtime, leave, superannuation, record-keeping and practical compliance actions.
- The guide is designed for Australian SME owners, managers, and payroll staff who need to understand their payroll obligations and ensure employees are paid correctly.
- Yes, the guide is completely free. No signup or email address is required. Simply click the download button to get instant access to the PDF.