Open To Work
Chantal Swart
HR Generalist / Advisor
Cranebrook,NSW
Summary
15+ Years International HR & Payroll Experience (NZ & South Africa)
Human Resources Professional with extensive experience across healthcare, forestry, and industrial sectors in New Zealand and South Africa. Skilled in recruitment, performance management, payroll coordination, HR compliance, and employee lifecycle administration. Known for professionalism, discretion, and a calm, solutions‑focused approach. Experienced in coaching and supporting managers through people matters, performance conversations, and policy interpretation. Recently relocated to Australia and actively upskilling through AHRI as a MAHRI member and CPHR Candidate, building strong capability in Australian HR, IR, and Fair Work frameworks.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
3
3
Certification
Work History
Receptionist
Richards Hotel
Richards Bay, South Africa
01.2004 - 12.2004
- Resolved customer problems and complaints.
- Managed multiple tasks and met time-sensitive deadlines.
- Confirmed appointments, communicated with clients, and updated client records.
- Answered central telephone system and directed calls accordingly.
Service Centre Operator
Edgards
Richards Bay, South Africa
01.2000 - 12.2004
Human Resource Generalist – Sole Role
QE Health Limited
Rotorua, New Zealand
10.2024 - 12.2025
- Served as the first point of call for staff and management for all HR‑related queries, advice, and support.
- Managed end‑to‑end recruitment including position descriptions, advertising, interviews, and onboarding.
- Improved recruitment processes, reducing time‑to‑hire and streamlining communication with candidates and hiring managers.
- Oversaw the full employee lifecycle from hiring to exit, ensuring consistent and compliant HR processes.
- Maintained personnel files, HR documentation, and appraisal schedules.
- Coached and supported managers with performance management, capability development, and day‑to‑day people matters.
- Supported department restructures, including consultation processes, documentation, and communication with affected staff.
- Managed disciplinary processes, ensuring procedural fairness, accurate documentation, and timely resolution.
- Updated and modernised HR policies and procedures to ensure alignment with legislation, organisational needs, and best practice.
- Reviewed and updated outdated employment contracts and job descriptions, ensuring clarity, compliance, and consistency across the organisation.
- Contributed to culture improvement initiatives, strengthening communication, trust, and engagement across teams.
- Participated in salary review processes, supporting leaders with documentation, benchmarking, and communication.
- Handled staff and client complaints with professionalism and discretion.
- Liaised with Payroll Manager regarding leave, hours, and employee changes.
People Training Support
Ventia – New Zealand
06.2023 - 09.2024
- Administered training database for Registered Training Organisation across Australia and New Zealand.
- Conducted employee enrollments for pre-employment induction requirements.
- Managed onboarding and termination processes as directed by clients.
- Assisted learners with queries and reset requests for online learning portals.
- Processed credit transfer requests for learners efficiently.
- Set up courses per trainer specifications to meet training needs.
- Issued credentials to learners upon successful training completion.
- Maintained accurate records on Student Management System while complying with governance standards.
HUMAN RESOURCES GENERALIST AND PAYROLL ADMINISTRATOR
NCT Forestry Agricultural Co-Operative Pty
Richards Bay, South Africa
11.2015 - 01.2023
- Served as the first point of call for employees, management, and union representatives, providing guidance, support, and timely HR advice.
- Managed payroll for 200+ employees across multiple sites with high accuracy.
- Oversaw employee data, leave, benefits, workers’ compensation, and HRIS updates.
- Managed the biometric Time & Attendance system, ensuring accurate clocking, roster alignment, and payroll integration.
- Conducted background checks, reference checks, and employment verifications.
- Led internal recruitment processes and conducted exit interviews.
- Administered employee benefits including disability, retirement, and death claims.
- Ensured HR policies were kept up to date, compliant, and reflective of organisational and legislative requirements.
- Rolled out policy changes and communicated updates across departments.
- Created new policies to support operational needs and compliance improvements.
- Implemented wellness days and information sessions on pension/provident funds and medical aids.
- Improved company culture through communication initiatives, recognition activities, and staff support.
- Arranged team‑building events and planned annual year‑end functions, strengthening morale and cohesion.
- Coordinated disciplinaries and union meetings, ensuring procedural fairness and effective communication.
- Involved in major restructuring processes, supporting consultation, documentation, and transition activities.
- Most senior HR person at the mill, reporting directly to the General Manager and the HR team at Head Office.
- Prepared annual training budgets for mill departments and monitored training spend.
- Updated salary schedules and supported remuneration processes.
- Managed corporate uniforms, including ordering, distribution, and stock control.
- Built strong relationships with managers, employees, and union representatives to support effective HR service delivery.
HUMAN RESOURCE AND PAYROLL ADMINISTRATOR
BayFibre Central Timber Co-operative
Richards Bay
01.2010 - 11.2015
- Served as the first point of call for employees, management, and union representatives for HR queries, documentation, and support.
- Managed payroll for 300+ employees, ensuring timely and accurate processing.
- Updated HR databases, employee records, and benefits information.
- Prepared contracts, letters, and HR documentation.
- Ensured HR policies and procedures were maintained, updated, and communicated across departments.
- Supported onboarding and facilitated new hire paperwork.
- Resolved employee queries and conflicts in line with policy.
- Coordinated with benefit providers and maintained audit‑ready documentation.
- Managed corporate uniforms, including issuing, tracking, and maintaining stock levels.
- Led a major workforce transition project, taking contractor staff from a labour broker and converting them into permanent employees — including contract creation, onboarding, compliance checks, and communication with unions and management.
- Supported managers with employee queries and HR documentation requirements.
ADMINISTRATION CLERK
The Central Timber Co-operative
Richards Bay
08.2004 - 12.2010
- Served as the first point of call for employees, management, and union representatives for administrative and payroll‑related queries.
- Led the transition from manual clock cards to a biometric time & attendance system, acting as the main project coordinator.
- Set up rosters and maintained the biometric system for approximately 400 employees across multiple operational areas.
- Supported payroll coordination for a 24/7 operation, including 8 shift teams, workshop staff, administration, and management groups.
- Managed administrative operations and office priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Supported payroll processing and employee queries.
- Performed data entry, record‑keeping, and correspondence tracking.
- Managed corporate uniforms, including distribution and stock management.
- Provided frontline customer service and internal support.
Waitressing
Restuarants
Richards Bay, South Africa
02.1997 - 11.2004
Front Office Manager
ESS - Hillside Expansion Project 3
Richards Bay, South Africa
11.2002 - 11.2003
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Controlled resources and assets for department activities to comply with industry standards and government regulations.
- Launched quality assurance practices for each phase of development
- Developed procedures to establish accurate and organized check-in and check-out processes.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - other
AHRI - Australian HR Institute
Australia09-2025
Certificate - Personnel Management & Human Resources
Career Academy
Auckland, New Zealand05.2023
Bachelor of Commerce - Human Resource Management
Regent Business School
Durban, South Africa01.2023
Graduate Certificate - Skills Development Facilitator Unit Standards
Global Business Solutions
Durban, South Africa11.2017
Certificate - Payroll Administration & Processing in HR
VIP Payroll Academy
Durban, South Africa01.2012
Graduate Certificate - Human Resource Hiring Practices
UNISA
South Africa09.2011
Graduate Certificate - Human Resources Labour Relations
UNISA
South Africa02.2011
National Certificate - Human Resource Management
Umfolozi College
Richards Bay01.2010
Skills
- Recruitment & Onboarding (Full Recruitment Life Cycle)
- Recruitment Coordination & Candidate Management
- Payroll Coordination & Benefits Administration
- Employee Training & Development Support
- Performance Management & Coaching Managers
- Employee Relations, Grievance Handling & Conflict Resolution
- HR Compliance, Policy Development & Governance
- Policy Updates, Rollouts & New Policy Creation
- HRIS, Time & Attendance & HR Software Proficiency
- Exit Interviews & Offboarding
- Confidentiality, Professionalism & Integrity
- Exceptional Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
- Multitasking, Prioritisation & Workflow Management
- Analytical thinking
- Change management
- Performance tracking
References
- Danny Knoesen, General Manager, +27 83 661 8172, danny@nctforest.com
- Percy Naidoo, Production Manager, +27 78 201 7270, percy@nctforest.com
- Ryno Martyn, Regional Operations Manager, +27 76 499 1111, ryno@nctforest.com
Certification
Professional (MAHRI) Member
Accomplishments
BCOM Degree - Human Resource Management
Timeline
Human Resource Generalist – Sole Role
QE Health Limited
10.2024 - 12.2025
People Training Support
Ventia – New Zealand
06.2023 - 09.2024
HUMAN RESOURCES GENERALIST AND PAYROLL ADMINISTRATOR
NCT Forestry Agricultural Co-Operative Pty
11.2015 - 01.2023
HUMAN RESOURCE AND PAYROLL ADMINISTRATOR
BayFibre Central Timber Co-operative
01.2010 - 11.2015
ADMINISTRATION CLERK
The Central Timber Co-operative
08.2004 - 12.2010
Receptionist
Richards Hotel
01.2004 - 12.2004
Front Office Manager
ESS - Hillside Expansion Project 3
11.2002 - 11.2003
Service Centre Operator
Edgards
01.2000 - 12.2004
Waitressing
Restuarants
02.1997 - 11.2004
Some College (No Degree) - other
AHRI - Australian HR Institute
Certificate - Personnel Management & Human Resources
Career Academy
Bachelor of Commerce - Human Resource Management
Regent Business School
Graduate Certificate - Skills Development Facilitator Unit Standards
Global Business Solutions
Certificate - Payroll Administration & Processing in HR
VIP Payroll Academy
Graduate Certificate - Human Resource Hiring Practices
UNISA
Graduate Certificate - Human Resources Labour Relations
UNISA
National Certificate - Human Resource Management
Umfolozi College