Whyalla steelworkers face payroll errors as 250 leave during redundancies
About 250 workers at Whyalla Steelworks are being underpaid during redundancy. A payroll system transition caused the issue.
About 250 workers at South Australia's Whyalla Steelworks are finishing Friday after accepting redundancy packages. Many have faced underpayments during the transition.
The plant's administrators, KordaMentha, revealed the shift to a third-party payroll provider created gaps. Missing superannuation contributions were one issue.
Those have now been paid. Off-cycle pay runs are underway for affected staff.
The site's ageing blast furnace shut down permanently in September. This cost more than 500 jobs.
KordaMentha took control of the site in early 2025. The South Australian government forced it into administration.
This was due to the previous owner's growing debts. Whyalla is one of only two primary steelworks in Australia.
It is the sole maker of long products like structural steel sections. The federal and state governments are backing the site with a $2.4 billion support package.
A sale to either Matt Latimore or India's Jindal Steel is expected by year's end.
- About 250
- Redundant workers
- More than 500
- Total jobs lost
- 2.4 billion dollars
- Government support package
- 1960s
- Blast furnace commissioned
Why it mattersPayroll failures during redundancy at a critical Australian industry site put workers at risk of hardship. They also undermine trust in the administration.
AustraliaAustralia's steel sector stability depends on Whyalla's survival, and ongoing operational problems signal challenges ahead for the sector.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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