Where payroll software projects go wrong, how to switch safely, and the official bodies to check and contact.
Payroll software does not make an employer compliant on its own. This section covers the failures that cost employers the most and the official sources that help you avoid or fix them.
The pillar guide, payroll software pitfalls and official sources, lists the common failure patterns and the regulators that deal with each one. Related guides go deeper: underpayment, the wage theft offence and what software can and cannot prevent, leave accrual set-up errors, switching payroll software mid-year, employee data privacy in payroll and HR systems and contracts, exit terms and data export.
The official bodies you will meet most often are the Fair Work Ombudsman (pay rates, awards, payslips, records), the Fair Work Commission (awards and the annual wage review), the ATO (STP, PAYG withholding, super guarantee), state and territory revenue offices (payroll tax), the OAIC (privacy) and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman for disputes with suppliers. This is general information only, not legal or tax advice.
Payroll Pitfalls, Switching Risks and Official Sources
How the Privacy Act's employee records exemption works for payroll and HR software in Australia, where it stops, TFN rules, data breaches, offshore storage and security checks to demand from vendors.
Payroll Pitfalls, Switching Risks and Official Sources
The most common leave accrual mistakes in Australian payroll software, how they build up, worked examples of the cost, and how to test annual, personal/carer's and long service leave settings.
Payroll Pitfalls, Switching Risks and Official Sources
What to check in a payroll or HR software contract in Australia, including term and notice, liability caps, service levels on pay day, data export on exit and the 7-year record rule.
Payroll Pitfalls, Switching Risks and Official Sources
The payroll and HR software failures that cost Australian employers most, from award misconfiguration and late super to bad migrations, and which official body to check or contact for each.
Payroll Pitfalls, Switching Risks and Official Sources
How to switch payroll software in Australia without breaking STP year-to-date figures, leave balances or Payday Super, with a cut-over timeline, reconciliation steps and migration costs.
Payroll Pitfalls, Switching Risks and Official Sources
How the intentional underpayment offence in force since 1 January 2025, civil penalties and the Voluntary Small Business Wage Compliance Code relate to payroll software set-up and checks.
