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Setting up staff allowances in RosterElf

Sean Wyse By Sean Wyse Updated 20 April 2026 3 min read
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Setting up allowances for staff ensures accurate payroll calculations based on work schedules. This guide walks you through creating and assigning allowances in RosterElf to fit each employee's payroll needs. By following these steps, you will streamline payroll processing and ensure allowances are applied accurately. Understanding how award interpretation works in RosterElf can help you configure allowances correctly alongside other pay rules.

For more details on setting up pay templates, refer to our introduction to pay templates guide.

1. Create allowances in RosterElf pay templates

Creating allowances in pay templates is essential to reflect staff entitlements correctly in payroll. This section explains the setup process and each type of allowance to align with your payroll requirements.

1.1 Accessing pay templates in RosterElf

1.1.1 Click on the Settings tab, then select Payroll.

Screenshot showing the Settings tab selected with Payroll highlighted in RosterElf

1.1.2 Choose one of your existing pay templates to open it.

Screenshot showing the list of pay templates in RosterElf payroll settings

1.2 Selecting the allowances tab

1.2.1 Open the Allowances tab to view the available allowance types.

Screenshot showing the Allowances tab open inside a RosterElf pay template

1.2.2 Choose an allowance type based on payroll needs:

  • Daily — adds an allowance unit for each day a shift is worked
  • Hourly — adds an allowance unit for each hour worked
  • Weekly — adds an allowance unit for each week a shift is worked
Screenshot showing the allowance type selection options (Daily, Hourly, Weekly) in a RosterElf pay template

1.3 Setting allowance pay items

1.3.1 For Xero users, select the specific pay item for the allowance from the drop-down list.

Screenshot showing the Xero pay item dropdown selected in RosterElf allowance settings

1.3.2 For other payroll platforms, copy the exact wording of your allowance from your payroll platform and paste it into the allowance field in RosterElf.

2. Assign allowances to staff in RosterElf

After creating allowances in pay templates, assign them to applicable staff members. This section covers the steps to customise each staff member's pay template with the necessary allowances, ensuring payroll reflects accurate compensation.

2.1 Accessing staff payroll settings

2.1.1 Click on the Staff tab and select the specific staff member.

Screenshot showing the RosterElf staff list with a staff member selected to assign allowances

2.1.2 Click on the Payroll tab, then select Customise next to each assigned pay template.

Screenshot showing the Customise option next to a pay template in a staff member's Payroll tab in RosterElf

2.2 Enabling allowances for staff

2.2.1 Within the customised pay template, open the Allowances tab.

2.2.2 Toggle ON each allowance required for the staff member.

Screenshot showing allowances being toggled on inside a customised pay template for a staff member in RosterElf

2.2.3 Click Back and repeat the process for any additional pay templates assigned to the staff member if allowances are applicable.

Screenshot showing the Back button to finalise allowances setup across multiple pay templates in RosterElf

Setting allowance rates

Allowance rates are controlled in your payroll platform, not inside RosterElf. If you need a rate created or updated, email our support team at customersupport@rosterelf.com and we will set it up for you. Note that rates added via the support team do not currently contribute to your overall roster budget.

For further help, visit our support centre or contact our support team.

Frequently asked questions

1. How do I create allowances in RosterElf pay templates?

To create allowances, navigate to the Settings tab and select Payroll. Open an existing pay template, go to the Allowances tab, and choose an allowance type like Daily, Hourly, or Weekly based on payroll needs.

2. What types of allowances can I set in RosterElf?

RosterElf allows three main types of allowances: Daily (per shift worked), Hourly (per hour worked), and Weekly (per week worked). Choose the one that best fits your payroll requirements.

3. Can I link allowances in RosterElf with my Xero pay items?

Yes, RosterElf integrates with Xero. Select the applicable pay item from the Xero dropdown menu in the Allowances tab. For other platforms, paste the exact wording from your payroll system into RosterElf.

4. How do I assign allowances to individual staff members?

Go to the Staff tab, select a staff member, then open their Payroll tab. Customise their pay template by toggling on the required allowances within the Allowances tab for accurate payroll application.

5. Do I need to customise each staff member pay template for allowances?

Yes, you should customise each assigned pay template per staff member to ensure allowances are enabled as needed. Repeat this process for any additional templates the staff member has.

6. Can I set the allowance rate inside RosterElf?

You can enable an allowance in RosterElf, but the rate itself is controlled in your payroll platform. If you need the rate created or updated, please email our support team at customersupport@rosterelf.com and we'll be happy to set it up for you.

7. Does the allowance rate contribute to my overall roster budget?

Currently rates added via the support team do not contribute to your overall roster budget.

Still need help?

Our Australian-based support team is here to assist you.