Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work. Tools like ChatGPT are now being used to draft emails, create marketing content, and even help with customer service. For many SMEs, it feels like a handy, cost-saving shortcut.
But when it comes to payroll, relying on ChatGPT—or any large language model (LLM)—is not just risky, it could cost your business dearly.
Why ChatGPT Is the Wrong Tool for Payroll
Let’s be clear: ChatGPT is not a payroll platform.
- It is not connected to Australian legislation.
- It has no access to current award interpretations.
- It doesn’t know your business context or payroll system configuration.
Instead, it generates generic, global answers based on training data. That advice may be incomplete, outdated, or flat-out wrong. And in payroll, “near enough” is never good enough.
Getting payroll wrong isn’t a minor error—it can result in six-figure fines, regulatory investigations, and serious reputational damage. For an SME, that could mean the difference between surviving and shutting your doors.
Payroll: One of the Most Complex Functions in Business
As Tracy Angwin highlights in Profit from Payroll, payroll is one of the most complex and misunderstood functions in Australian business. It sits at the intersection of:
- Tax law
- Industrial relations
- Superannuation
- State-based legislation
Each of these areas changes regularly. Awards get updated. Superannuation rates increase. New rules are introduced. For SMEs, keeping up is hard enough when you have the right systems and expert support. Without them, mistakes are almost guaranteed.
And here’s the kicker: compliance is non-negotiable. Fair Work doesn’t accept ignorance or “the software told me so” as an excuse.
The Problem with ChatGPT
When you use ChatGPT for payroll advice, there are three major risks SMEs need to understand:
- No accountability – If it gives the wrong answer, there’s no responsibility taken.
- No audit trail – You can’t point to a documented compliance process.
- No certainty – You don’t know if the advice is right until it’s too late.
ChatGPT is designed to sound confident, even when it’s wrong. These mistakes are often called hallucinations—and in payroll, a hallucination can quickly turn into a compliance nightmare.
What SMEs Should Do Instead
SMEs often look to AI as a way to save costs, but payroll is not an area to cut corners. Instead:
- Use a compliant payroll system that is regularly updated with Australian legislation.
- Engage a qualified payroll professional or advisor who understands your industry and awards.
- Schedule regular payroll audits to catch issues before they become expensive mistakes.
- Stay informed on Fair Work updates and legislative changes relevant to your business.
Think of payroll compliance as insurance: you may not always see the immediate return, but it protects your business from risks that could destroy it.
