Atturra partners with APA to boost payroll compliance & support

Atturra has announced a strategic partnership with the Australian Payroll Association (APA) to support client compliance with evolving awards legislation and improve employee experience within payroll and HR functions.

The partnership is intended to strengthen Atturra's approach to integrating people, process, and technology in payroll services. Through this collaboration, both organisations will deliver comprehensive payroll and HR solutions that help businesses comply with Australia's continually changing industrial relations environment, mitigate risk, and provide a positive experience for employees.

Both Atturra and the APA have stated that their shared mission is to simplify and modernise payroll management across Australia. The new strategic relationship is expected to assist businesses and payroll professionals who require efficient, compliant, and strategically aligned payroll operations in a complex regulatory landscape.

Regulatory changes

Australia's industrial relations landscape has seen considerable changes over the past year, marked by new casual conversion pathways, the Right to Disconnect provisions, and a rise in the Superannuation Guarantee to 12 percent. Further complicating payroll administration is the Awards system, which mandates that employees are classified and paid according to their duties, with adjustments required when staff temporarily undertake higher duties. Errors in administering pay can have serious implications, including legal ramifications, reputational damage, and the loss of market positioning and positive employee experiences.

Since the start of 2025, deliberate wage theft has become a criminal offence in Australia, attracting a maximum penalty of AUD $1.565 million or three times the value of the underpayment (whichever is greater), plus up to 10 years' imprisonment for individuals. Organisational fines can be as high as AUD $7.825 million, or three times the value of the underpayment.

Strategic focus

The collaboration between APA and Atturra bolsters Atturra's HR and Payroll offering, allowing the company to bring a more strategic, outcome-oriented approach to the market. Atturra has indicated that the focus will be on detailed client requirements and business needs rather than predefined technology solutions.

Atturra's General Manager for Payroll and HR Services, Nikita Potter, commented on the new partnership and its benefits for clients.

"We're thrilled that this partnership will help us better serve our clients," said Nikita Potter, Atturra's General Manager for Payroll and HR Services. "By aligning with APA, we ensure our clients benefit from real-time legislative updates, industry insights and knowledge that helps address their business problems, meets their changing needs and sets them up for sustained growth."

Through the partnership, Atturra clients will have access to APA's regulatory expertise and knowledge base, as well as Atturra's delivery capabilities and technology expertise. This combination, according to the two organisations, will help pinpoint compliance gaps, operational risks, and possible improvements in payroll processes.

Heather Pettenon, Atturra's General Manager of Strategic Markets, said:

"We're seeing organisations increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional tech-focused approaches," said Heather Pettenon, Atturra's General Manager of Strategic Markets. "This partnership cements our commitment to being truly client-centric and focused on results, ensuring our clients receive the holistic support they need now, while laying the foundation for future growth and change."

Industry recognition

As a result of this new partnership, Atturra will be listed in the Australian Payroll Association's software directory, a resource that assists APA's 7,000-member base of payroll professionals in making technology decisions relevant to their organisations. The directory inclusion is expected to raise Atturra's profile among payroll professionals seeking compliance, process efficiency, and risk mitigation as part of their payroll operations.

The announcement comes as businesses in Australia continue to respond to the challenges of an evolving industrial relations framework, increased penalties for wage theft, and heightened regulatory scrutiny. With this partnership, Atturra and the APA aim to provide direction and assurance to clients navigating the complexities of payroll management under current and future legislative requirements.