Award Sponsors
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Celebrating Excellence in Australian Payroll
The 2026 National Payroll Awards celebrated the outstanding individuals, teams and organisations making a difference across Australia's payroll profession. Presented at the Australian Payroll Summit Melbourne on Thursday 8 October 2026, the awards recognised excellence in payroll leadership, innovation, technical expertise and the dedication of payroll professionals across the country.
Congratulations to all our 2026 winners and finalists for their exceptional achievements and contributions to the payroll profession.
Payroll Rising Star of the Year
Sponsored by Frontier Software
The Payroll Rising Star of the Year Award recognised an emerging payroll professional who demonstrated exceptional dedication, accuracy and commitment to compliance and efficiency. The award celebrated their continuous professional development, innovative thinking and problem-solving skills, highlighting their achievements and potential as a future leader in the payroll industry.
2026 Finalists:
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Chelsea Chai, Greencross Pet Wellness Company
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Madeleine Regan, Australia Post
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Wilson Lau, Victoria University
2026 Winner: Wilson Lau, Victoria University
Payroll Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Datacom
The Payroll Manager of the Year Award recognised an outstanding payroll leader who demonstrated exceptional leadership, technical expertise and a strong commitment to accuracy, compliance and efficiency. The award celebrated their ability to inspire and develop their team, foster collaboration and drive positive outcomes across their organisation.
2026 Finalists:
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Anita Nosworthy, NEXTDC Limited
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David Barnes, Latitude Financial
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Wayne Spreadborough, Victoria University
2026 Winner: Anita Nosworthy, NEXTDC Limited
Payroll Team of the Year
Sponsored by REST
The Payroll Team of the Year Award recognised an outstanding team that demonstrated exceptional collaboration, accuracy and commitment to compliance and efficiency. The award celebrated their ability to manage complex payroll processes, deliver innovative solutions and continuously improve operations, making a positive impact across their organisation.
2026 Finalists:
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Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong
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Epworth Healthcare
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Fulton Hogan
2026 Winner: Epworth Healthcare
Payroll Innovation Award
Sponsored by The Access Group
The Payroll Innovation Award recognised an individual, team or organisation that demonstrated exceptional innovation in payroll technology and processes. The award celebrated their use of creative solutions, automation and technology to improve accuracy, streamline operations and drive efficiency, making a positive impact on their organisation and the wider payroll industry.
2026 Finalists:
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Dieter Loraine, Australia Post
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Prince Consulting Group
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TraceEzy Smart WFM
2026 Winner: Dieter Loraine, Australia Post
