How ecommerce payroll usually works
A strong payroll services for ecommerce workflow starts with a brief review: business structure, headcount by function (warehouse, retail, admin, marketing), pay cycles, locations, software stack, and any current risks (late super, STP errors, award gaps or leave balance issues).
Delivery then follows three phases:
- Immediate triage: fix urgent items first (missed super, STP corrections, duplicate employees, pay item clean-up).
- Process design: confirm awards and classifications, standardise pay items, integrate rosters/timesheets, set approval steps and deadlines.
- Run and review: on-time pay runs, STP lodgements, super payments, exception checks, and quarter-end reconciliations linked to BAS.
Where needed, we coordinate with bookkeeping and BAS so payroll journals, PAYG W, and super flow cleanly into your monthly or quarterly reporting.
Australian rules to keep in view
- PAYG withholding registration is required before withholding from employees and most directors’ fees.
- Single Touch Payroll (STP) Phase 2 reporting must be lodged through an enabled payroll solution; data needs to be clean and disaggregated.
- Super Guarantee is generally compulsory for eligible workers (rate 11.5% from 1 July 2024 unless updated by law) and must be paid by due dates via a clearing house.
- Fair Work awards often apply to ecommerce teams (e.g. Retail, Clerks–Private Sector, Storage Services/warehousing). Classification and penalty rates matter.
- State payroll tax may apply once Australian taxable wages exceed state or territory thresholds; multi‑state teams need careful tracking.
- Accurate employee vs contractor status and record-keeping are critical to avoid compliance issues.
What to compare before you commit
Scope
Confirm the proposal covers setup, award mapping, pay-run processing, STP lodgements, super payments, EOFY finalisation and any clean-up or handover.
Software fit
Assess capability with your stack (e.g. Xero, MYOB, Employment Hero/KeyPay, Deputy, Tanda) and whether they can explain the workflow, not just name tools.
Turnaround and communication
Ask about cut-off times, approval steps, seasonal surge plans, and how exceptions or urgent changes are handled.
Commercial fit
Compare fixed vs time-based pricing, reporting depth, and whether you want payroll-only, or payroll with bookkeeping, BAS and tax oversight.
Services tailored for ecommerce teams
- Award interpretation and pay item setup for retail, warehouse and office roles, including penalties and allowances.
- Rostering and timesheet integration (Deputy or Tanda) to reduce manual entry and wage errors.
- Casual, part‑time and seasonal staff onboarding, with compliant contracts and entitlement rules.
- STP Phase 2 mapping, ongoing lodgements and EOFY finalisation with employee income statements.
- Super payments and reconciliation, plus exception checks for missed or late super.
- Payroll tax considerations for multi‑state teams as you scale.
Best next steps
Write down your immediate outcome (for example, “fix award setup before the next pay run” or “migrate to Xero Payroll with Deputy integration”). Shortlist providers who can explain exactly how they will deliver that outcome and by when.
If you also need bookkeeping, BAS or tax, consider a coordinated approach so payroll journals, PAYG W and super align with your monthly or quarterly reporting.
Use the links below to move into the most relevant area, then contact us when you are ready.
Frequently asked questions
What does ecommerce payroll support include?
Scope typically covers award and classification checks, pay-run processing, STP Phase 2 lodgements, super payments, onboarding and offboarding, leave and entitlement management, EOFY finalisation and payroll journals that reconcile with your BAS and accounts.
Which payroll software suits ecommerce?
Xero Payroll, MYOB and Employment Hero (formerly KeyPay) are popular, often paired with Deputy or Tanda for rosters and timesheets. The best choice depends on headcount, awards, locations and reporting needs.
What Australian rules should ecommerce employers watch?
STP Phase 2 reporting, Fair Work awards and penalties, Super Guarantee at the current rate, employee vs contractor status, state payroll tax thresholds and accurate record-keeping are the main areas to watch.
How do I prepare to switch providers?
Export employee master data, pay items, year‑to‑date figures and leave balances. Confirm award notes, pay cycles, locations and integrations. Aim for a period-end changeover and align super, PAYG and STP dates to avoid gaps.