On this episode of HR & Payroll 2.0, Pete and Julie welcome Ross Heron, CEO of the Australian Payroll Association to explore one of the world’s fastest-evolving and complex payroll landscapes!

Ross unpacks why Australia has surged up the global payroll complexity rankings, how new legislation is reshaping employer accountability, and why compliance is becoming a board-level conversation.

Together, they dive into the mounting risks facing payroll leaders, the accelerating talent and payroll skill shortage, and the emerging role of payroll as a strategic, data-driven advisor to the business. Ross shares what’s driving innovation, where AI adoption truly stands, and how forward-thinking organizations are reimagining payroll as a financial well-being engine and not just an administrative function amid unprecedented regulatory and technological change.