Employee Payment Review

Payroll Remediation Program

Last Updated: 03/12/2025

St Vincent’s Lismore (SVL) is committed to ensuring that all employees are paid accurately and fairly. This page provides information about the Payroll Remediation Program (PRP), including what has been reviewed, how affected employees are being contacted, and answers to frequently asked questions.

About the Program

St Vincent’s Lismore identified potential payroll discrepancies and commissioned an independent external review of employee payments from 2018–2025. This detailed analysis covered payroll, timesheet, and rostering data across all relevant Enterprise Agreements.

The review found that some employees had been overpaid and others underpaid. SVL is now finalising remediation payments to ensure all staff – both current and former – are correctly paid, including applicable interest and superannuation.

Key points:

• Remediation payments for current affected employees are expected to be completed by the early December 2025.
• Payments for former affected employees are expected to commence in early December 2025.
• All affected employees (current and former) will receive written notification outlining their remediation amount.
• System and process improvements have been implemented to strengthen payroll accuracy and compliance.
• SVL will continue to provide updates to the Fair Work Ombudsman and relevant unions on progress.

This program reflects our ongoing commitment to transparency, fairness, and continuous improvement in payroll processes.

St Vincent’s Lismore acknowledges and apologises to any employees impacted by past payroll errors. We are committed to ensuring all staff are paid accurately and fairly and to maintaining robust systems that uphold trust, integrity, and compliance into the future.

For all enquiries, contact [email protected].

Frequently asked questions

Background

What is the purpose of the review?
The program ensures all SVL employees are paid correctly in accordance with Enterprise Agreements and workplace laws. It addresses both historical payments and future payroll accuracy.

When did SVL identify these issues?
SVL identified potential non-compliance and commissioned an independent external review to analyse payroll data from 2018–2025.

Is SVL working with the Fair Work Ombudsman?
Yes. SVL has kept the Fair Work Ombudsman informed of the review and remediation progress.

How are unions being informed?
Regular updates are provided to the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) and the Health Services Union (HSU).

Who is managing this work?
The program is being managed by teams from Dioceses of Lismore (DoL), Payroll, SVL HR, Finance and Executive, with support from independent experts who specialise in payroll remediation and compliance.

Why engage external specialists?
Due to the scale and complexity of analysing seven years of data across multiple systems, external experts were engaged to ensure accuracy and independence.

What if I was overpaid?
SVL has identified some overpayments during the review but has chosen not to seek recovery from employees. This decision reflects our values of fairness and respect.

Remediation

How will I be notified if I have been underpaid?
Current affected employees will be emailed directly. Former employees will be contacted via their personal email or phone.

How will I know the amount?
You will receive a letter outlining your remediation amount, including applicable interest and superannuation.

Why didn’t I receive a notification letter?
If you did not receive a notification letter, it means your pay has not been affected or the total difference over the review period was less than $5.

Amounts under $5 were primarily due to minor rounding differences accumulated over seven years. Rather than processing these individually, SVL has donated the total amount to the Rodney Briggs Foundation, reflecting our ongoing commitment to fairness and community support.

What do I need to do to receive payment?

• Current Employee:

No action is required. If you have questions, email [email protected]

• Existing Employee (same bank/superannuation/tax details):

Email [email protected] to verify your identity before payment is processed.

• Existing Employee (different bank/superannuation/tax details):

Call (02) 6627 9318 to verify your identity. Once verified, you’ll receive forms to update your details. Payment will be made in the next payroll cycle after we receive your completed forms.

When will I receive payment?

Current Employee:

Payments (less applicable tax) are expected to be made by mid November 2025.

Existing Employee:

Payments are expected to commence in November 2025 and be ongoing for up to six months. Allowing for time to locate former staff and verify identity. Once verification is complete, payment is expected within 2-3 weeks upon receipt of your details.

What happens if a former staff member cannot be contacted?

Multiple attempts will be made to reach former staff. If we are unable to make contact within six months, SVL is required to pay the underpayment amount to the Commonwealth of Australia in accordance with Section 559 of the Fair Work Act.

How can I check if my payment was transferred to the Commonwealth?

You can search the Fair Work Ombudsman webpage to find out if any unpaid remediation is being held in trust for you.

How can I claim funds held by the Commonwealth?

Email the Fair Work Ombudsman at [email protected] to arrange receipt of your payment. The Fair Work Ombudsman will contact you to confirm your identity before processing your payment.

Why does remediation take time? 

The process involves analysing multiple sources of historical data spanning seven years. Each record must be reviewed to identify and calculate any discrepancies accurately. We appreciate your patience as this important work continues.

When will the remediation process be completed?

Payments are scheduled to commence from mid-November 2025, with the process expected to be completed by mid-2026. Allowing time to locate former staff.

Will my information remain confidential?

Yes. All personal and payment details will remain confidential in accordance with SVL’s Privacy Statement and will only be used for the purposes of processing your remediation.

How is SVL ensuring payments are correct?

Each remediation payment is carefully calculated and includes superannuation and applicable interest.

Will my backpay be taxed?

Yes. Under Australian taxation law, SVL is required to withhold income tax from all salary and wage payments, including back pay and remediation payments. These amounts are then reported to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in the same way as your regular pay.

Your remediation payment will be treated as income in the financial year it is paid, even if it relates to work completed in earlier years. This ensures that your payment is correctly recorded for taxation and superannuation purposes, and that all compliance obligations are met.

What tax rate will apply to my remediation payment?

SVL is required to withhold tax from staff salary and wage payments (including remediation payments for previous and current financial years) at the rate prescribed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Remediation payments are included on the PAYG payment summary for the year when the remediation payment is made.

Because remediation payments often relate to several years of work, they can sometimes move you into a higher tax bracket for that year. However, the ATO’s lump sum payment in arrears tax offset prevents you from being disadvantaged if you receive a lump sum payment in a later income year. Please contact your financial and/or tax advisor if you have any questions or concerns.

St Vincent’s Lismore acknowledges and apologises to any employees impacted by past payroll errors. We are committed to ensuring all staff are paid accurately and fairly and to maintaining robust systems that uphold trust, integrity, and compliance into the future.

For all enquiries, contact [email protected].