Nellers HR & Payroll

06/08/2026

What a morning💙

Today we brought the Nellers HR & Payroll team together over breakfast for our EOFY review - looking back at FY26, and ahead to what's next. We've got some big goals, but we have the team to smash it out of the park.

FY27 is shaping up to be our biggest year yet: growing our memberships, deepening our partnerships, and using smart systems to deliver even better HR and payroll for our clients.

To the - thank you for the energy, trust and care you bring every single day. Soar towards what's possible. 🚀

30/07/2026

Thanks to the fabulous Kylie Chown and Dominique Lamb for an informative and valuable get together highlighting that the runway to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is packed with opportunities for Queensland SMEs.

But success won't just land in our laps. It requires:
👉 Having a go and putting yourself out there.
👉 Clearly defining your value proposition.
👉 Leading with absolute authenticity and purpose.

For me, the word of the night was authenticity. What sets you apart in a competitive market comes down to how you show up every day for your team, your business, and your customers.

As someone who has lived and worked in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Hervey Bay, the Sunshine Coast, and Brisbane, I am also incredibly excited to see our regional areas take center stage. This is a win for the whole state. They are keen to showcase the many stunning and diverse locations and stories we have to offer.

What is your business doing now to prepare for the procurement pipelines and opportunities Brisbane 2032 could bring?

10/06/2026

Payroll in Australia is moving toward faster, more frequent payment and reporting expectations. One example on everyone’s mind is payday super, less than a month away from becoming a reality.

For small businesses the impact isn’t just compliance risk, but on admin workload and systems. If payroll is done manually or spread across different tools, changes like this add pressure quickly.

Most issues don’t start with intentionally ignoring rules, but from systems not being set up to handle them efficiently. Is your payroll ready for payday super?

02/06/2026

The Fair Work Commission has announced a 4.75% increase to modern award wage rates, effective 1 July 2026. There is also a structural change to the lowest award classifications, which will lift minimum rates.

For most small businesses, the risk with each year’s change is making sure it’s actually updated correctly in payroll systems.

The problems usually start with:
• different staff on different award levels
• old rates staying active in payroll settings
• updates not being applied consistently across all employees
• systems not reflecting classification changes properly – or at all

These issues don’t usually show up until later on; usually during audits, employee queries, or reconciliations; or in worst case scenarios, Fair Work involvement, enforceable undertakings, fines, back payments, nothing but headaches!

This is a good time for businesses to check their payroll setup is aligned to the new rates before 1 July 2026 takes effect.

Need a hand with yours? Chat with Nellers.

13/04/2026

It’s been a massive few months for our who are celebrating 🎉5 successful Employment Hero implementations 🎉 going live this last month! 🚀

Moving to a new HRIS is a significant transition for any business. It’s not just about the software; it’s about ensuring the underlying compliance, workflows, and data integrity are rock solid from day one. It's about effective change management to ensure your people can navigate the shift. It's project management that's ready for the curve balls that a project like this can throw you, because dependencies are considered and timelines and risks are managed.

Our team of HR, Payroll and Systems Specialists at Nellers have been right there in the trenches with our clients, navigating the complexities, smoothing out the technical hurdles, and ensuring their people systems are set up for long-term success.

Need us in your corner? Reach out for a chat to discuss how we can partner with you and your team to ensure a smooth implementation.

12/04/2026

For many small businesses, payroll is one of the highest-risk areas of the business, but it doesn’t always require complex systems to improve accuracy and compliance.

Sometimes, the most effective tools are also the simplest.

One tool we regularly recommend to clients is a Payroll Register. When maintained properly, it becomes a powerful governance tool that supports both accuracy and compliance.

A well-maintained payroll register can help businesses:

• Identify recurring issues and prevent repeat payroll errors
• Provide an auditable trail for reviews by Fair Work or the ATO, helping meet record-keeping obligations
• Protect payroll accuracy during staffing changes, system transitions, or periods of growth

For many businesses, payroll knowledge can sit with one person or within a single system. A payroll register provides an additional layer of transparency and control, ensuring there is always a clear record of what has been paid, when, and why.

Good payroll governance doesn’t have to be complicated - but it does need to be intentional.

Not sure how your payroll processes stack up?

At Nellers, we run comprehensive Payroll Audits to help businesses identify risks, improve processes, and ensure they are meeting their obligations. Message us today to find out more.

09/04/2026

🚩 Workplace Red Flag Series - Your workplace policies are a Google template 🚩

They look professional.
They reference legislation.
They sit neatly in a handbook.

But do they reflect your business?

Here’s why generic policies are risky:

📝 They don’t match your operations
If your policy says one thing but you do another, credibility is eroded.

⚖️ They may reference outdated legislation
Employment law changes frequently - templates don’t update themselves.

💬 They create false security
Having a policy doesn’t protect you. Applying it properly does.

Policies should support your decisions, not contradict them.

At Nellers, we develop tailored, commercially aligned policies that reflect how your business actually operates and that can stand up if tested.

01/04/2026

Are you an experienced Gardner looking for a permanent, multi-site opportunity?

Our client is a family-owned business managing premium townhouse complexes across Brisbane's northern suburbs. They take immense pride in their work and the presentation of their sites. They aren't just looking for a mower; they're looking for a professional who enjoys their craft and takes true ownership of their results.

What's on Offer?

🌿Competitive Salary: $80,000 per annum + Super.

🌳Security: Permanent role with full leave entitlements

🌿The Full Setup: Company vehicle, company phone, and all professional tools provided.

🌳Additional Perk: PPE Allowance for quality safety gear and boots.

🌿Culture: A high-autonomy role within a supportive, family-run business.

Apply now or reach out to Nellers HR & Payroll on 07 3108 9768 to find out more.

$80k + Super | Brisbane North | Company Vehicle + Phone + PPE Allowance. Flexible options: Full-Time preferred; Part-Time considered for the right fit

24/03/2026

🚩 Workplace Red Flag Series - Undocumented Probation 🚩

You have a 6-month probation period written into the contract…

But there were no formal check-ins.
No documented feedback.
No midpoint review.
No final assessment meeting.

That’s not probation. That’s hope.

Probation periods don’t manage performance - managers do.

Here’s why undocumented probation is risky:

🪤The "General Protections" Trap
Think probation protects you from claims? Think again. While minimum employment periods offer some protection against Unfair Dismissal, General Protections claims have no minimum employment period. If you let someone go without a paper trail, they may claim it was because they exercised a workplace right or due to discrimination. Without documentation, it’s your word against theirs.

📝 No paper trail
If performance concerns arise later, you have no evidence the employee was informed or given an opportunity to improve. If you haven't documented the issues, a "suitability" dismissal can look like a "hidden reason" dismissal.

⏰ Missed opportunities
If concerns are identified late, you may lose the ability to reasonably extend probation or course-correct a potentially great hire that just needed a bit more guidance.

⚖️ Procedural fairness still applies
Even during probation, businesses should follow a fair process. “They were on probation” is not a defence on its own.

💬 Employees are left guessing
Silence is often interpreted as “I’m doing fine.”
That makes difficult conversations harder — and riskier.

A simple probation framework should include:
✔ Clear expectations from day one
✔ A documented 1-month check-in
✔ A midpoint review
✔ A formal end-of-probation meeting
✔ Written confirmation of outcome

Probation is your lowest-risk window to assess suitability. If you don’t use it properly, that window closes quickly.

If your managers aren’t confident running structured probation reviews, that’s fixable, and far less painful than a Fair Work claim later.

Not too sure where to start? Our team at Nellers HR & Payroll are always happy to help, from basic templates and management coaching, to tailored meeting guides - we can support your team through this process.

22/03/2026

What a way to wrap up Harmony week by attending Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability Queensland's breakfast to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. The global theme 'Together against Loneliness' was brought to life as the room shared amazing stories of connectedness, achievement, support and seeing the ability, not the disability.

Inclusion doesn't happen by chance. It's about communities, government, business and people with lived experience coming together to create welcoming spaces for people to belong and thrive. Including the workplace.

Employment is one of the most powerful ways to foster a sense of belonging.

We left inspired by the important role Nellers HR & Payroll play working with businesses to create opportunities for people to benefit from meaningful work. Take 2 mins out of your day to watch this video on the Hiring Chain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKku4RAWa4M

As we wrap up Harmony Week 2026, let’s make a commitment to keep the hiring chain moving.