Australian Payroll Association
The finalists for the 2026 Australian Payroll Awards have been announced, recognising some of the outstanding individuals and teams making an impact across Australia’s payroll profession.
This year’s awards celebrate excellence across four categories: Payroll Rising Star, Payroll Manager of the Year, Payroll Team of the Year and Payroll Innovation.
With an impressive field of nominations received, being selected as one of just three finalists in each category is a significant achievement. Our finalists represent the expertise, innovation, leadership and commitment that continue to strengthen and advance the payroll profession.
The winners will be announced and presented at the 2026 Australian Payroll Summit in Melbourne on 8 October 2026.
The Payroll Rising Star Award recognises emerging payroll professionals who are already making their mark on the profession through their contribution, capability and commitment to excellence.
Congratulations to our finalists:
Chelsea Chai — Greencross Pet Wellness Company
Madeleine Regan — Australia Post
Wilson Lau — Victoria University
The Payroll Manager of the Year Award recognises outstanding payroll leaders who demonstrate excellence in leadership, technical expertise and the development of high-performing payroll functions and teams.
Congratulations to our finalists:
Anita Nosworthy — NEXTDC Limited
David Barnes — Latitude Financial
Wayne Spreadborough — Victoria University
Great payroll outcomes are rarely achieved by one person alone. The Payroll Team of the Year Award celebrates teams that demonstrate exceptional collaboration, service, expertise and commitment to delivering payroll excellence.
Congratulations to our finalists:
Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong
Epworth Healthcare
Fulton Hogan
The Payroll Innovation Award recognises organisations and initiatives that are challenging the status quo and finding smarter, more effective ways to deliver payroll through technology, process improvement and new ideas.
Congratulations to our finalists:
Dieter Loraine — Australia Post
Prince Consulting Group
TraceEzy Smart WFM
The Australian Payroll Awards are an opportunity to recognise the people and teams behind one of the most critical functions in every organisation.
Payroll professionals manage complexity, navigate constant regulatory change, embrace new technology and, most importantly, help ensure people are paid correctly and on time.
We congratulate all of our 2026 Australian Payroll Awards finalists on this well-deserved recognition and thank everyone who submitted a nomination this year.
We look forward to celebrating our finalists and announcing the winners at the Australian Payroll Summit at Crown Melbourne on Thursday, 8 October 2026.
Good luck to all our finalists — we’ll see you in Melbourne!