Payroll Services for Wholesalers

How wholesale payroll usually works

A focused payroll services for wholesalers engagement begins with a review of your structure (sole trader, company, trust), headcount and roles, awards/EBAs, software stack, pay cycles and any urgent issues (missed super, STP errors, under/overpayments).

Work then falls into three streams:

• Immediate triage: fix rate errors, correct award categories, clean pay items, and lodge any overdue STP events.
• Process design: integrate rosters and timesheets, set approval workflows, automate super payments, and document cut-offs.
• Ongoing review: month-end checks, variance analysis (hours, overtime, allowances), leave accuracy and EOFY finalisation.

Australian compliance to keep in view

• PAYG withholding: register before withholding from employees, directors and some contractors.
• Single Touch Payroll (STP) Phase 2: lodge each pay run via compliant payroll software with correct pay item mapping.
• Superannuation guarantee: pay at the current SG rate by the quarterly due date (late payments are non-deductible).
• Employee onboarding: TFN declarations, super stapling/choice, right-to-work checks and correct award classification.
• Payroll tax: state-based registration and monthly/annual returns may be required once wages exceed the state threshold.
• Workers\u2019 compensation: maintain cover and complete annual wage declarations by the insurer deadline.

Common award touchpoints for wholesalers include the Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020 (warehouse), the Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020 (drivers), and the Clerks\u2014Private Sector Award 2020 (admin and sales). Check Fair Work or your EBA for specifics.

Software fit for wholesale teams

Most wholesalers benefit from connecting time and attendance with payroll to handle shifts, overtime and allowances accurately. Popular combinations include rostering tools like Deputy or Tanda with payroll inside Xero, MYOB or Employment Hero. Inventory and sales platforms (e.g. Cin7/DEAR, Unleashed) often drive staffing patterns, so your payroll cadence should align to receiving, picking and dispatch peaks.

• Rosters and timesheets: automate award interpretation rules for penalties, overtime, meal allowances and shift loadings.
• Approvals: manager sign-off before payroll cut-off to reduce backpay and adjustments.
• Data quality: lock pay items and map to the correct STP Phase 2 categories to avoid ATO corrections.
• Integrations: ensure location, cost centres or classes feed into your accounting for margin and labour reporting.

What to compare before you choose a provider

Simple compliance calendar

• Each pay cycle: lodge STP (on or before payday).
• Quarterly: pay super by due dates to keep tax deductibility.
• Monthly (if applicable): payroll tax lodgement when wages exceed your state threshold.
• Annually: workers\u2019 compensation wage declarations and STP finalisation for employees.

Tie these dates to your inventory and sales cycles so payroll, BAS and management reporting line up cleanly.

Best next steps

Define the outcome you want: fewer payroll errors, award-aligned rosters, faster month-end, or cleaner STP and super. Shortlist providers who can show experience with wholesale awards, time & attendance integrations and STP Phase 2 mapping.

If your needs are broader than payroll, use these pages to connect the dots across finance:

• Wholesale Accountant (industry hub)
• Wholesale Bookkeeping
• Wholesale Tax Accountant
• BAS Agent Services
• Payroll Services (general)