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Diploma in Payroll Management

Build Payroll Management Skills with a Diploma

Study payroll administration, NZ legislation, and industry software in a fully online Diploma in Payroll Management. Approximately 300 hours of content.

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week
Enquire now
12 Mths
Duration
Online
Delivery
38
Units
Flexible
Start Date
Diploma in Payroll Management

Build Payroll Management Skills with a Diploma

Study payroll administration, NZ legislation, and industry software in a fully online Diploma in Payroll Management. Approximately 300 hours of content.

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week
12 Mths
Duration
Online
Delivery
38
Units
Flexible
Start Date
Why Study This

Practical, Job-Relevant Skills You Can Build.

~300 Hours Of Payroll Content, Fully Online And Self-Paced

ICOES And CPD Standards Office Accredited Diploma

No Exams, Assessed Entirely Through Practical Coursework

Skills & Applications

Skills You'll Build

Practical, job-relevant skills for these roles. As a professional development course, it builds capability in this field rather than guaranteeing a specific role or salary.

35k+
Employed in business & management (NZ)
↑ 9%
Projected job growth (NZ)
Payroll OfficerProcesses employee pay, deductions, and entitlements accurately within a business payroll cycle.
Payroll CoordinatorCoordinates payroll schedules, data entry, and compliance checking across a team or organisation.
Payroll Compliance AnalystReviews payroll processes and records to ensure alignment with current NZ employment and tax legislation.
Payroll Systems AdministratorManages payroll software setup, user access, and system updates for an organisation.
HR Payroll Advisor (Junior)Supports HR and payroll teams with employee records, entitlements, and related queries.
Payroll Reporting AnalystPrepares payroll reports and data summaries to support business and compliance decisions.
Remuneration Specialist (Entry Level)Assists with salary benchmarking, pay reviews, and remuneration data across an organisation.

Indicative market figures from publicly available New Zealand data (Stats NZ · careers.govt.nz). Possible career directions only; no specific job, salary or outcome is guaranteed. Where you go depends on your experience, the employer and your location.

What You’ll Learn

38 Units

Core Units · 38 units
  • Topic 1Employment Law & Introduction to Payroll
  • Topic 2Understanding Key New Zealand Business Legislation
  • Topic 3Introduction to Xero Online
  • Topic 4Setting Up Xero Payroll
  • Topic 5Managing Payroll Items with Xero
  • Topic 6New Employees & Leave Requests With Xero
  • Topic 7Pay Templates in Xero
  • Topic 8Pay Runs in Xero
  • Topic 9Payslips & Payroll Reporting with Xero
  • Topic 10Filing Obligations Using Xero
  • Topic 11Introduction to MYOB Business Payroll
  • Topic 12Setting up Employees in MYOB Business Payroll
  • Topic 13Pay Runs in MYOB Business Payroll
  • Topic 14Payday Filing Status and Payroll Reporting with MYOB Business
  • Topic 15Human Behaviour
  • Topic 16Workplace Communication Skills
  • Topic 17Workplace Health and Safety
  • Topic 18Controlling Operations
  • Topic 19Recruitment
  • Topic 20Staff Training
  • Topic 21Work Teams
  • Topic 22Positive Discipline
  • Topic 23Grievances and Complaints
  • Topic 24Monitoring and Reporting
  • Topic 25Accounting and Bookkeeping Fundamentals
  • Topic 26General Journal
  • Topic 27General Ledger & the Trial Balance
  • Topic 28Depreciation
  • Topic 29Adjusting Entries
  • Topic 30Financial Statements
  • Topic 31Budgeting, Forecasting, and Cashflow Management
  • Topic 32Financial Statement Analysis
  • Topic 33Introduction to Leadership
  • Topic 34Leadership Qualities
  • Topic 35Interpersonal Relationships
  • Topic 36Communication Skills
  • Topic 37Team Building
  • Topic 38Systematic & Lateral Thinking
Before You Apply

Entry Requirements

What you’ll typically need to get started.

No formal academic prerequisites

Requirements can vary by intake and pathway, so submit an enquiry to confirm what applies to you.

What’s Included

Everything That Comes With Your Enrolment

Industry-Accredited Diploma

Upon completion, students receive a Certificate of Achievement from The Career Academy, accredited by ICOES and the CPD Standards Office.

Unlimited Tutor Support

Unlimited support from industry expert tutors via phone and email during business hours throughout the course.

100% Online, Study Whenever Suits You

Fully online course with 12 months access and approximately 300 hours of content, allowing students to study at their own pace.

No Exams

This course has no exams, ever, assessment is through practical coursework.

Career Support Services

Career benefits and support services to help students stand out in the job market after completing the course.

Free E-Books Included

Multiple industry e-books included free with the course, covering NZ taxation law, payroll administration, GST, employment legislation, and more.

Expand Your Payroll Network

Stay connected with payroll professionals through exclusive networking events and industry forums. Keep updated with the latest in payroll legislation, regulations, and best practices in New Zealand.

Path to Payroll Expertise

The course provides a clear path to proficiency in payroll management with options to achieve certifications in Xero Payroll and MYOB Payroll, opening doors to roles across multiple industries.

Free bonus courses included

Foundations of New Zealand Taxation Law 2023

E-book by S Barkoczy providing a clear introduction to New Zealand tax law policy…

So Now You Want to Get Paid! by Graham B Pomeroy

E-book outlining credit management and debt recovery practices, endorsed by the New…

New Zealand Practical Accounting Guide by Stephen J. Marsden

E-book covering bookkeeping essentials, accounting, taxation issues, payroll and…

NZ Master Bookkeepers Guide - 3rd Edition by Stephen J. Marsden

Practical guide covering bookkeeping essentials and accounting and taxation issues.

CAN
Your Provider

The Career Academy NZ

The Career Academy offers an online Career Centre providing career coaching, CV reviews, interview preparation, job search resources, and LinkedIn profile reviews. Students have access to a Career Success Hub, Business Hub, and Self Service Resource Hub. The centre includes one-to-one coaching from dedicated career support staff and is available to all students during and after their studies.

Fees & Funding

Flexible Ways To Pay

From $29/Week
on an interest-free payment plan
EASY WAYS TO PAY
Pay upfrontWeekly payment plan
Enquire to confirm the exact fees and payment options for your situation. We don’t list a set price here because it varies by your circumstances.
Getting Started

Your Path To Enrolment

A few simple steps from enquiry to your first day.

1
Click 'Enrol Now'
2
Choose payment option (upfront or payment plan)
3
Complete enrolment form
4
Begin studying online
Why Students Choose Us

Recognised Training, Real Support

Career Support

Dedicated career services to help graduates move into work.

Wellbeing Support

Ongoing support throughout your studies, including post-placement support.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

There are no formal academic prerequisites listed for this diploma. It is designed to be accessible whether you are new to payroll or already working in an administrative role. Submit an enquiry to confirm any current entry requirements.
A weekly payment plan may be available to spread the cost of study. Submit a Get Course enquiry to get current pricing details and confirm what payment options apply.
Students have 12 months of access to complete the course. The total study load is approximately 300 hours, so the actual time to complete depends on how many hours each week you can dedicate to study.
Unlimited support from industry expert tutors is available via phone and email during business hours throughout the course.
No work placement component is included in this diploma. Practical skills are developed through coursework using industry-leading software including MYOB and Xero, with no requirement to attend an employer site.
On completion, students receive a Certificate of Achievement accredited by ICOES and the CPD Standards Office, and may also earn digital credentials for Xero Payroll and MYOB Payroll. This diploma is not a government-accredited qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF). It is professional development training that carries recognised industry endorsement.
As a professional development course, any credit toward formal NZQF qualifications would depend on the receiving institution's recognition and prior learning processes. Submit a Get Course enquiry to find out what credit options may be available to you.
Graduates build skills relevant to payroll administration, coordination, compliance, and reporting roles across a wide range of industries. Entry-level roles such as Payroll Officer, Payroll Coordinator, and Payroll Reporting Analyst are common starting points for people with this training. Career outcomes depend on individual experience, job market conditions, and employer requirements.
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About This Course

Diploma in Payroll Management

This diploma covers payroll administration, NZ taxation law, GST, employment legislation, and hands-on practice with MYOB and Xero payroll software. Students work through practical coursework at their own pace, with no exams at any point in the course.

Delivered by The Career Academy NZ, the course suits people entering payroll roles or existing administrators looking to formalise their skills. Unlimited tutor support is available via phone and email during business hours throughout the 12-month access period.

Included e-books cover key topics in NZ payroll and tax. Students can also pursue optional Xero Payroll and MYOB Payroll certifications alongside the diploma, adding recognised software credentials to their profile.

Ready When You Are

Take The Next Step Into Business & Management

Enquire about this course and a course advisor from The Career Academy NZ will be in touch with pricing and next steps.

Helping students across New Zealand find the right course since 2013 · 1M+ enquiries

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week

Disclaimer: Course information on this page is sourced from the education provider and was last verified on the date shown below. Details including pricing, availability, entry requirements and course content may change without notice. Get Course is a directory service that connects students with course providers; we do not deliver courses directly. Contact the provider for the most current information before enrolling.

Last updated: July 2026