Many businesses around the world rely on payroll software to pay their employees. Australia is not unique in this regard. The Australian payroll system can be complex depending on the industry that you work in. The number of employees can also affect the flexibility of the method used.
Australian payroll software needs to also consider various employee requirements that affect their employees. Some of these considerations are Child Support, Flexi-Pay, Salary Sacrifice, PPL and more. Businesses need to understand the complexities involved to ensure they pay staff accordingly.
There are also changes the Australian Government makes in the business sector to ensure the citizens are correctly paid for their work. Over the past two years, Single Touch Payroll (STP) has been introduced to improve payroll reporting to the Australian Taxation Office.
Paying employees incorrectly or on the wrong award can result in business bankruptcy and criminal charges. It’s serious business.
Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
The Australian Taxation Office, known in business as the ATO, is a revenue collection agency part of the Australian Government. The ATO introduced one of the latest large-scale changes to the Australian payroll through STP. The ATO is also responsible for many taxation and superannuation support systems for all Australians.
This can include:
- Collecting revenue, through tax and other business initiatives
- Being responsible for the collection of GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Controlling the superannuation system for Australian employment
- Custodians of the ABR (Australian Business Registry)
Every business in Australia will have to at some point, understand how to run their business alongside the ATO’s requirements.
Paying Payroll Taxes
Payroll taxes are paid based on the state or territory that your business or its employees, do the work in. Some areas of administrative payroll tax have been agreed upon by states and territories to be consistent. Largely, however, each state and territory are responsible for administering its regulations.
Payroll tax is assessed by each business on income paid or payable by an employer to its employees. This assessment and its relevant tax values are when the wages of a business reach a specified threshold.
Income to an employee can be wages and salaries for hours worked, commission on sales made, any bonuses to the employee at the employer’s discretion or allowances.
Businesses in Australia are responsible for the correct application of tax rates based on awards, hours and more. Australian payroll tax is paid by the employer on behalf of the employee, by withholding part of the employee’s wages after each pay period based on the issued tax rates.
At the end of the financial year, employees can claim tax back from the ATO if they did not meet an expected threshold, or they will need to pay more tax in cases where they did not have enough withheld.
The employer is also responsible for deductions based on employment needs. These can include child support, salary sacrifice and any fringe benefit taxes.
Payroll Pay Periods
A payroll pay period or frequency is a period in which employees are paid regularly while working for the business. Employees can be paid on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis and are usually paid electronically into the bank accounts of the employees.
Businesses are free to decide which pay period is most suitable for the position the employee holds. The employment type may also dictate which pay period is allocated to individual staff.
For example, casual employees may be paid weekly for the hours they have worked. Full-time employees will be paid monthly as they are on salary. Australian payroll software needs to be able to account for these variables.
Australian Taxation System
When paying payroll tax in Australia, it’s referred to as a Pay As You Go (PAYG). It’s this PAYG system that allows for the withholding of tax from the employee being paid to the ATO.
Australian payroll tax is calculated on a scale based on hours worked and the income generated over that period. Each state and territory have different rates and as an employer, you are responsible for understanding how it affects your business.
When a person is employed in more than one business, they may be liable to pay a higher tax rate on their second income. This is dependent on the value of the income and the reporting of the wages to the taxation department.
Payments in cash are still taxable and must be reported to the ATO. When paid in cash, the responsibility of paying the income tax is generally up to the employee. If the employee reports on this tax and the business does not, the ATO may audit the business to ensure they are fulfilling their legal requirements.
Single Touch Payroll (STP)
Single Touch Payroll was introduced to the Australian payroll system to better inform the ATO of payments made to individuals. In July 2018, at the end of the 2017/2018 financial year, large businesses (those encompassing 20 or more employees) would be required to start using STP.
Businesses with less than 20 employees were exempt from mandatory STP use until July 1st, 2019. From the start of the 2019/2020 financial year, all businesses in Australia are required to report their payroll via STP.
Single Touch Payroll aims to improve the ability of the ATO to find businesses that are not paying their employees correctly, as well as improve the efficiency of tax reporting.
Fair Work System
Australia’s national workplace relations system is governed by the Fair Work Act 2009. The Fair Work system is a set of laws governing the national minimum employment standards.
The Fair Work system will offer employees, generally in the public sector, protection and minimum wages. Each state or territory can further transcribe how these laws apply within their state. For instance, in most states, State government and local government employees have a registered agreement in place.
The Fair Work system will help employees understand what hours they can work, the maximum number of hours they can work and how they get paid. It will also advise on correct pay rates, working conditions, holidays, parental and carer leave, and flexible working conditions.
An employee has every right to contact the Fair Work Ombudsman to find information relating to their circumstances. The Ombudsman may act on the employee’s behalf or in some instances, help to change laws that affect the entire workforce. Neglecting to pay staff or using something other than Australian payroll software may incur fines for the business.
Workers Compensation Insurance
It is the responsibility of employers to maintain adequate Worker’s Compensation Insurance under Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. This is to support the worker in the event of a work-related accident or illness.
Worker’s compensation insurance is designed to protect employers and employees from financial hardship when there has been a workplace accident. It is an understanding by employees that their employer will have insurance when they start their employment.
Like any insurance product, premiums are based on factors dependent on the business taking out the policy. This can include previous claims made on the company’s behalf and the industry the company trades in.
Superannuation
Superannuation, or Super is how Australian workers grow their retirement and pension values for the future. Employers are legally required to make payments on the employee’s behalf to a nominated superannuation account.
Superannuation is paid to the employee’s account before tax is taken from wages.
There is a minimum amount required to be paid, which is a percentage of the wage received. The current rate of Super in Australia is 9.5%.
Individual employees can make additional payments to their superannuation accounts, and can employers pay more than the guaranteed amount.
Fringe Benefits Tax
Fringe benefits are non-cash benefits for the employee during their employment. It can be for items such as private health insurance, company car, loan or other item allowing the employee to do their job.
Employers will need to pay Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) to the ATO. Fringe benefits are a way of attracting employees to work for the business.
Businesses will need to register for FBT before they can start offering benefits to employees. Fringe benefits are entirely legal and are common as a form of reimbursement to employees from a business.
Ending Thoughts
Understanding the basics of Australian payroll is crucial for businesses operating in Australia to ensure compliance with employment regulations and to properly manage employee wages, deductions, and taxes. From employee classifications and minimum wages to entitlements, superannuation, and payroll taxes, there are several key factors to consider when processing payroll in Australia. Adopting payroll software and adhering to reporting requirements such as Single Touch Payroll can help streamline the payroll process and ensure accurate calculations and reporting. However, given the complexity of payroll processes and the ever-changing regulatory landscape, it is advisable to seek professional guidance and consult official government resources for comprehensive and up-to-date information on Australian payroll practices.
