For too long, payroll has been seen as a back office function, a necessary, but often undervalued, part of doing business. Today, that perception is dangerously out of date. Payroll compliance is no longer just an administrative task. It is a Board level risk, capable of impacting brand reputation, executive accountability, and shareholder value. Recent […]
READ MORE‘Loosening the reins’ in modern workplaces does not define the employment relationship
Employers should be mindful of the risks of mischaracterising a worker when engaging them to perform work. In the recent decision of AB v Free Hearts Free Minds [2025] FWC 353, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has reaffirmed that it will consider the “totality” of the relationship between parties when determining whether a worker is […]
READ MOREFair Work Payroll Remediation Guide
Fair Work have released their long awaited Payroll Remediation Guide. You can download it here. If you need any assistance with payroll remediation or diagnostics, you can contact the APA team at any time.
READ MOREPoor redundancy process results in successful workers compensation claim
There are a number of legal obligations and risks that an employer must consider when implementing any form of disciplinary or dismissal process. These are not limited to claims made under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) but can also include the risk of claims made under anti-discrimination or workers compensation legislation. The recent decision […]
READ MOREFWC finds dismissal harsh and unreasonable given employer’s communication blunder of policy changes
It is best practice for employers to ensure that their policies and procedures are properly communicated and understood by employees, especially in circumstances where the policy relates to important topics such as the health and safety of employees. A failure to meet this standard can be observed in recent the decision of Hancock v Sydney […]
READ MOREWhat the 2025 Australian Payroll Survey taught us about the future of payroll
Are Australian organisations ready for the challenges facing payroll in 2025? Australian Payroll Association’s 2025 Payroll Industry Survey offers a sobering perspective and a clear call to action for payroll teams and business leaders. The report reveals a payroll landscape fraught with complexity, rapid tech evolution, and an urgent need for modernisation. Yet, it also […]
READ MOREAustralian superannuation funds hit by cyber attacks, with members’ money stolen
A number of Australian superannuation funds have been hit with suspected cyber attacks, with members of one fund losing $500,000 between them in retirement savings. Stressed fund members have told ABC News they can’t access their accounts, adding to the anxiety. Australian Super has been hit with 600 attempted cyber attacks in the past month, […]
READ MOREEmployer ordered to pay damages for unlawful discrimination of employee with breastfeeding responsibilities
In September 2023, the Australian Capital Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (the Tribunal) found an employer had unlawfully discriminated against an employee because of her breastfeeding responsibilities (see Complainant 202258 v Southern Restaurants (Vic) Pty Ltd (Discrimination) [2023] ACAT 57). The Tribunal has now handed down its decision in relation to the remedies flowing from that […]
READ MORERethinking payroll reporting structures to drive success
Who owns payroll in your organisation? Is it HR? Finance? Operations? Or perhaps, does it sit strategically in its own lane? This pivotal question may seem administrative at first glance, but it holds far reaching implications for how your organisation operates. The placement of payroll reporting structures directly influences the team’s ability to innovate, adopt […]
READ MOREPay Day Super Reforms: Draft Legislation Released and Key Provisions
On 14th March the draft legislation for the pay day super reforms was released. A summary of some of the key components of the legislation can be found below. With a federal election now called for the 5th May, the government is in caretaker mode. This means that consultation is paused until after the election. […]
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