Upskilling payroll teams in 2026: training new staff & re-educating existing teams

From evolving compliance requirements including Single Touch Payroll (STP) obligations and more recently Payday Super which takes effect 1 July 2026 to the rapid shift towards cloud-based payroll systems, automation, and HR technology, today’s people and payroll professionals across Australia are expected to do more than ever before. 

For Australian organisations, upskilling payroll teams in 2026 is no longer optional. This is because payroll teams are increasingly relied upon to think strategically, interpret workforce data, support better employee experiences, and partner closely with HR, finance, and leadership, while still maintaining absolute accuracy, security, and legislative compliance. 

In this blog, we will explore practical and scalable ways to upskill payroll teams in 2026 to keep pace with change. We’ll look at how organisations can build future-ready payroll capabilities through targeted training, continuous learning, and digital transformation across people and payroll functions, ensuring teams are confident using modern payroll software, navigating ATO and Fair Work regulations while leveraging cloud-based solutions to drive efficiency. 

Bridging the gap in people and payroll skills 

Many organisations are trying to bridge the gap between the skills their teams currently have and the skills they need to succeed. 

New starters often enter the workforce with limited exposure to complex payroll systems or compliance frameworks, while experienced team members face rapidly changing tools, regulations, and expectations. 

This creates two critical priorities for organisations: 

• Upskilling new staff to get them productive faster 

• Re-educating existing teams to stay current, confident, and compliant 

Without the right training or resources available, teams can quickly fall behind, leading to inefficiencies, increased risk, and reduced confidence across the organisation.  

Upskilling new people & payroll staff 

That’s why first impressions matter, especially when onboarding new team members. 

For new people and payroll professionals, the onboarding experience can often feel overwhelming and time-consuming. This is because systems are complex, processes are detailed, and the margin for error is small. 

That’s why investing in structured training from day one can: 

• Build confidence early 

• Reduce reliance on informal “on-the-job” learning 

• Improve accuracy and consistency 

• Accelerate time to productivity 

When new employees are set up with the right knowledge and tools from the start, they’re far more likely to succeed and stay engaged. 

Re-educating existing teams by keeping pace with change 

Even the most experienced professionals need support to keep up with change. 

Whether it’s new legislation, system upgrades, or evolving best practices, ongoing education ensures your team doesn’t just keep up but stays ahead. 

Re-educating your workforce can: 

• Reduce compliance risk 

• Improve system utilisation and ROI 

• Increase efficiency through better processes 

• Empower teams to take on more strategic work 

It also sends a powerful message: that your organisation values growth, development, and continuous improvement. 

Moving beyond one-off training 

Traditional training approaches such as one-off sessions, static documentation, or ad hoc knowledge sharing are no longer enough. 

Modern people and payroll teams need learning that is: 

• Accessible – available when and where they need it 

• Practical - grounded in real-world scenarios 

• Ongoing - not just a one-time event 

• Scalable - able to support growing teams 

This is where dedicated learning centres and helpdesks play a critical role. 

Supporting your team with Aurion Academy 

At Aurion, we understand that learning is a continuous journey, and mastering a people and payroll system requires ongoing support. 

Aurion Academy (log in required) is our learning centre designed to support people and payroll professionals at every stage, whether they’re just getting started or looking to deepen their expertise. 

With a range of structured learning pathways, Aurion Academy helps teams: 

• Get up to speed quickly with core system knowledge 

• Build confidence in key people and payroll processes 

• Stay up to date with system updates and changes 

• Develop deeper capability over time 

Our training is delivered by experienced people and payroll specialists who bring deep, real-world knowledge into every session. With decades of combined industry experience, they understand the complexities teams face and bring practical insights, real scenarios, and best practices to help teams apply their learning with confidence. 

Whether used during onboarding or as part of ongoing professional development, Aurion Academy provides a consistent, reliable way to build capability across your organisation. 

We offer different forms of training, including: 

• Onsite training 

• Online courses 

• Live virtual training 

• Learning packages 

• Microlearning (5-minute guides or less) 

• Help articles 

• Other learning resources 

Looking to strengthen your team’s capability?

Discover how Aurion can support your people and payroll professionals with structured, practical learning designed to reduce risk, improve efficiency, and build long-term capability here.

Not yet a customer but want to know how we can make life work better for your organisation? Our Aurion payroll specialists are available to discuss how we can deliver the right people and payroll solution to let your workforce thrive! You can reach our experienced team by calling 1300 287 466 or email [email protected]