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new opportunities, including a collaboration with the Association of Independent Schools in NSW. From there, a formal payroll work placement program took shape. We focused on students undertaking VET, Vocational Education and Training, a form of education in Australia that provides job-ready skills through practical, hands- on learning. The VET sector plays a central role in workforce development and addresses skills shortages across industries. Students often study Financial Services or Business Services, where payroll is briefly introduced as part of the broader curriculum. A key part of these VET programs is completing a 35-hour work placement.

But with hybrid and remote work on the rise, placements became harder to secure. Many students risked missing out. To meet this challenge, the NSW government introduced simulated and virtual work placements, allowing students to complete their hours in structured environments. I aligned the Payroll Pathway with this initiative, adapting it to deliver payroll-specific content in schools or simulated settings, guided by teachers and facilitators. Then, in partnership with the Youth Partnership, Association of Independent Schools, Catholic Schools NSW, and the NSW Department of Education, we delivered a state-wide Virtual Work Placement Week.

Students gathered in designated locations and followed a structured program. They heard from industry professionals on payslips, tax, superannuation, employment standards, legislation, payroll processing, and more. They also joined mentoring sessions with payroll professionals from across Australia, a chance to ask questions, Many linked the content to their own part-time work. Payroll stopped being abstract. It became real. Importantly, the Payroll Pathway isn’t just for students. It’s open to anyone looking to start a career in payroll, whether changing industries, returning to work, or seeking a new direction. The program offers a clear entry point for those who wouldn’t otherwise know where to begin. understand career opportunities, and connect learning to real jobs.

I think of payroll like Wi-Fi: invisible when it’s working, impossible to ignore when it’s not.

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GLOBAL PAYROLL MAGAZINE ISSUE 14

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