Is Your Payroll Software Working For You or Against You?
By Lincolns Bookkeeping Team
June 2025
Processing payroll doesn’t have to be a weekly headache. The right software can take the stress out of your hands and keep things running like clockwork.
So how do you know if your payroll system is doing the heavy lifting or quietly letting things slide?
Compliance: Are You Covered?
A solid payroll setup doesn’t just pay people on time, it keeps you compliant with the rules.
Run through this quick check:
Are you on the correct State or Federal Award?
Are pay rates current and complaint with the award? (Reminder: Minimum pay rates in Fair Work Awards increase by 3.75% from the first full pay period in July. The WA state award increases have yet to be announced.)
Are loadings, allowances, and overtime/penalty rates being correctly applied?
Is superannuation calculated at the correct rate? (Reminder: Super Guarantee lifts to 12% from 1 July 2025.)
Have the latest ATO tax tables been uploaded?
Are payslips being issued after each pay run, as required?
If you’re not 100% sure, you’re not alone. But it might be time for a payroll tune-up.
Efficiency: Is Your Software Saving Time or Stealing It?
A good payroll system should do more than just crunch numbers. It should make your week easier.
Ask yourself:
Can it send digital onboarding forms for new staff?
Does it handle timesheets and leave requests online?
Can employees access their leave balances easily?
Does it manage rosters, or integrate with apps that do?
If the answer is mostly no, you’re likely working harder than you need to. The good news is, most modern payroll systems now include these features or offer seamless integrations that do, so upgrading doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul. The right system doesn’t just process pay, it streamlines workflows, reduces admin, and gives your team better visibility and control.
Super on Autopilot
Still lodging super manually? Auto-super features in most payroll platforms are worth switching on:
Cuts out manual errors
Saves time
Future proofs your compliance - especially with payday super becoming mandatory from 1 July 2026
Auto-super lets you schedule and pay super contributions directly from your payroll system to each employee's fund, often with just a few clicks. Once set up, the system calculates, batches, and submits payments through a clearing house, so there’s no need to log in to multiple portals or re-enter data. It’s one of those small switches that can make a big difference.
STP Finalisation Deadline: 14 July
Single Touch Payroll finalisation, your end-of-year payroll report to the ATO, is due by 14 July.
Before you click ‘Finalise’ make sure:
All pays have been processed
Super and leave balances are up to date
Employee details and year-to-date totals are accurate
Is your payroll system outdated and time-consuming? Or could it simply be better?
Not sure where to start? We’ve created easy-to-follow guides for Xero, MYOB and WageEasy to walk you through the process step by step. You’ll find them on our Resources Page.
Time for a Payroll Health Check?
If your payroll system isn’t saving you time, protecting your compliance, and making life easier, it might be time to explore alternatives.
Our Bookkeeping team can help you assess what’s working, what’s not, and what could be improved. Call us on 9814 9841 1200 to get started.
Single Touch Payroll Finalisation Guide
With the end of the financial year fast approaching, now is the time to ensure your payroll processes are in order, especially when it comes to Single Touch Payroll (STP) finalisation. To help you stay ahead, we’ve created a series of practical guides tailored for the popular platforms like MYOB, Wagemaster, and Xero. These resources are designed to simplify the process, reduce stress, and ensure your reporting is accurate and on time.
