HR & Administration Officer in Melbourne

We are a newly established branch in Melbourne, seeking an experienced and proactive HR & Administration Officer. This role has evolved to focus heavily on HR operations, policy establishment, and contract management, alongside overseeing daily office administration and procurement. This position requires fluency in Mandarin Chinese for effective communication with head office stakeholders, and strong English skills to manage local compliance, vendors, and staff. It is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on HR professional who enjoys building systems and culture from the ground up in a startup environment.

Key Responsibilities

• HR Operations & Policy Establishment (50%)
  • Establish, review, and implement local HR policies, employee handbooks, and internal regulations in compliance with Australian employment law.
  • Manage end-to-end recruitment: job postings, interview coordination, and onboarding/offboarding processes.
  • Draft, review, and manage employment contracts, vendor agreements, and other legal documents (liaising with external legal counsel if necessary).
  • Maintain employee records, attendance, and leave summaries; support payroll processing (superannuation, tax file number declarations, etc.).
  • Coordinate new starter access (computer, email, access card, etc.) and organize team meetings and staff events.
• Office Administration (30%)
  • Manage day-to-day office operations, including facility maintenance, cleaning, security, and equipment.
  • Monitor and replenish office supplies, pantry items, and company assets.
  • Liaise with building management, internet/phone providers, and other vendors.
  • Organise and maintain company documents, seals, licences, and official contracts.
• Procurement & Compliance Support (20%)
  • Execute procurement plans for office equipment, IT hardware, and daily consumables.
  • Source, evaluate, and maintain relationships with local Melbourne suppliers; compare quotes and control costs.
  • Ensure company operations comply with local basic legal and regulatory requirements.

Selection Criteria

• Valid Australian working rights (PR or valid visa such as 485, 491, partner visa, etc.).
• Fluency in both Mandarin Chinese and English (spoken and written).
• Minimum 3 years of HR experience, with solid knowledge of Australian employment law (Fair Work, NES, Superannuation, TFN declarations).
• Experience in drafting and managing contracts, policies, and internal regulations.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, Excel) and confident in learning new systems.
• Strong organisational and communication skills, able to act as a bridge between the local team and head office.
• Prior experience setting up HR systems or working in a startup environment.
• Familiar with payroll processes and working with external payroll providers.

Personal Attributes

• Self-motivated, hands-on, and comfortable working independently.
• Reliable, honest, and responsible for company assets and confidentiality.
• Proactive problem solver who can build structures from scratch.