Payroll reports are official summaries that provide detailed insights into employee wages, tax withholdings, superannuation contributions, leave accruals, and other payroll-related figures over a defined period. These reports are essential for business owners, payroll administrators, accountants, and auditors to ensure compliance with tax regulations, meet Fair Work obligations, and maintain accurate financial records.
In Australia, payroll reports play a central role in financial operations, helping employers manage payroll processing, prepare Business Activity Statements (BAS), meet Single Touch Payroll (STP) obligations, and reconcile accounts at the end of each pay period or financial year.
Payroll reporting isn't just about tracking employee pay—it’s about fulfilling obligations under multiple regulatory frameworks:
Without reliable payroll reports, businesses risk underpayment issues, tax penalties, and accounting inconsistencies.
Below are common payroll reports used by Australian businesses:
An overview of gross pay, tax withheld, superannuation, and net pay for all employees in a pay run. Often used to review totals before finalising payroll.
A breakdown of each employee’s earnings, deductions, leave balances, and tax for the current period. Legally, Australian employers must issue payslips within one working day of payment.
Details each employee’s super contributions per pay run. Used to submit payments through a super clearing house (e.g. Beam).
Summarises the total tax withheld from wages, required for Business Activity Statements (BAS).
Tracks the accumulation and usage of leave types—like annual leave, personal leave, and long service leave—on a per-employee basis.
Used for internal audits and external compliance checks, this report shows a historical record of changes to pay items, employee classifications, or hours worked.
Prepared for integration with accounting systems like Xero, MYOB, or QuickBooks. It shows debits and credits related to wages, taxes, and super.
A summary of employee year-to-date (YTD) values sent to the ATO under Single Touch Payroll Phase 2, including income types, tax offsets, and termination payments.
Modern payroll systems like Microkeeper automate the generation and formatting of payroll reports, making it easier for businesses to stay compliant and efficient. With Microkeeper, you can:
By using automated reporting tools and built-in award interpretation, these risks can be significantly reduced.
While the reports themselves may not be mandated, the data they contain (e.g., PAYG, super, STP) must be lodged or made available to the ATO, Fair Work, or employees as required.
Under Australian law, payroll records must be kept for a minimum of 7 years.
Yes. Payroll software allows you to filter by date range, employee group, or even individual staff to get flexible reporting insights.
Payroll reports are the backbone of a well-managed workforce. They empower you to maintain compliance, monitor trends, forecast costs, and make smarter business decisions. Whether you’re managing 5 or 500 employees, the right reporting tools can turn payroll from a chore into a strategic asset.
With Microkeeper, payroll reporting becomes faster, simpler, and more accurate, freeing up your time to focus on growth.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor for guidance specific to your business.