HR Management

What Are The Top Cloud-Based HR Software Solutions In Australia?

Wraps up in 9 Minutes

Author: Gavin Altus

Published On August 21, 2025

You’ve probably noticed that managing your team’s HR needs isn’t getting any easier.

Between dealing with Fair Work Act requirements, keeping up with modern award changes, and trying to give your employees the digital experience they expect, it’s no wonder you’re considering cloud-based HR software.

But here’s the challenge you’re facing: with so many options available, how do you choose the right solution for your Australian business?

You need something that doesn’t just tick boxes but actually understands the complexities of Australian employment law, integrates with your existing systems, and won’t leave your team scratching their heads.

In this guide, you’ll discover the top cloud-based HR software solutions specifically designed for or adapted to the Australian market.

Top Cloud-Based HR Software Solutions in Australia

Here are the top 10 cloud-based HR software solutions you can use in Australia.

1. Sentrient

Sentrient takes a fundamentally different approach to HR software – one that could revolutionise how you handle workplace compliance in Australia.

While other HR platforms simply digitise traditional processes, Sentrient harnesses artificial intelligence to actually understand and interpret Australian employment law in real-time.

This isn’t just another HR system with compliance features bolted on; it’s compliance intelligence built from the ground up.

The best part about Sentrient? Proactive compliance intelligence.

Instead of waiting for you to make mistakes and then helping you fix them, Sentrient constantly monitors your workplace practices against current Australian employment law. It identifies potential compliance issues before they become problems, suggests specific corrective actions, and can even automate many routine compliance tasks that usually eat up your HR team’s time.

While other HR platforms on this list offer good features and solid functionality, they’re essentially digital versions of traditional HR processes.

Sentrient represents the next generation: intelligent automation that actually understands Australian employment law and applies that knowledge to protect your business.

If compliance stress keeps you up at night, if you’re tired of manual award interpretations, or if you want HR technology that actually makes complex decisions easier rather than just digitising them, Sentrient isn’t just another option – it’s the solution you’ve been waiting for.

2. ELMO Software

ELMO Software stands out as Australia’s widely-used HR software in the country.

Founded in Australia, ELMO serves over 3,000 organisations across the country, making it the largest local player in the market. What makes ELMO special for you as an Australian business owner is its deep understanding of local compliance requirements.

They’ve built their entire platform around Australian employment law, which means you’re not dealing with a global solution that’s been awkwardly adapted for our market.

ELMO offers a comprehensive modular approach, allowing you to pick and choose the features you need. Their core modules include talent acquisition, learning management, performance management, and employee administration.

The pricing is premium, but the deep Australian compliance features and local expertise often justify the investment for businesses with complex HR requirements.

3. Employment Hero

Employment Hero represents another Australian success story that’s been making significant waves in the market.

What sets Employment Hero apart is their integrated approach to HR, payroll, and advisory services.

They don’t just provide software – they offer ongoing support and advisory services to help you navigate complex employment law requirements. The pricing ranges from $6 to $27 per employee per month, depending on the modules you choose.

The platform excels in user experience and mobile functionality, making it ideal for businesses with frontline workers who need mobile access to HR services.

4. BambooHR

BambooHR has built a reputation for being incredibly user-friendly, which is why they’re popular among Australian SMEs employing between 10 and 1,000 people.

If your priority is getting your team up and running quickly without extensive training, BambooHR deserves your attention. Their interface is intuitive, and their customer support is consistently rated highly by Australian users.

The platform focuses on core HR functionality without overwhelming users with unnecessary complexity.

While they may not have the deep Australian compliance features of local solutions, they offer solid integration capabilities and are continuously improving their Australian market features based on customer feedback.

5. Workday

Workday represents the global heavyweight in your corner.

With a 22.33% market share worldwide and strong Australian operations, Workday brings enterprise-grade capabilities to the table.

If you’re running a larger organisation or planning significant growth, their advanced AI and global scalability might be exactly what you need.

Workday excels in advanced analytics, predictive insights, and global scalability. Their platform is designed for complex organisations with multiple locations, diverse workforces, and sophisticated reporting requirements.

The pricing is enterprise-level and typically requires custom quotes, but for large organisations, the comprehensive functionality and global capabilities often justify the investment. Their Australian operations ensure local compliance and support, making them a viable option for enterprises operating in Australia.

6. Rippling

Rippling is the new player that’s been making serious popularity into the Australian market with its innovative approach to HR technology.

What sets them apart is their 600+ integrations and comprehensive platform that goes beyond traditional HR to include IT management and device provisioning. If you’re looking for a platform that can grow with you and connect to virtually any other business system, Rippling’s worth a closer look.

Their Australian expansion has been rapid and strategic, with significant investment in local compliance features and support. The platform offers advanced AI capabilities, excellent integration options, and a modern user interface.

Pricing is typically custom-quoted based on your requirements, but they’re competitive in the mid-market to enterprise space.

7. ADP Workforce Now

ADP Workforce Now brings decades of payroll expertise to the table, making them a strong choice if payroll accuracy and compliance are your biggest concerns.

Their enterprise-focused approach is particularly valuable for businesses operating in complex multi-award environments where payroll accuracy is critical.

ADP’s strength lies in its deep payroll expertise and robust compliance capabilities. They understand the intricacies of Australian payroll law and have built systems that can handle even the most complex award interpretations and penalty rate calculations.

Their pricing typically starts around $79 base cost plus $4 per employee per month, though this can vary based on your specific requirements.

The platform is designed for businesses that prioritise payroll accuracy and compliance over cutting-edge user experience.

8. Deputy

Deputy is an Australian-developed workforce management platform that excels in shift-based industries.

If you’re running restaurants, retail outlets, or any business with complex scheduling needs, Deputy’s built specifically for you. Their focus on scheduling, time tracking, and workforce management makes them ideal for businesses with frontline workers.

Deputy’s strength is in their understanding of Australian shift work requirements, penalty rates, and complex scheduling scenarios.

They offer excellent mobile functionality and real-time scheduling capabilities. Pricing is around $3.50 per employee per month, which makes them one of the more cost-effective solutions for businesses focused on workforce management rather than comprehensive HR functionality.

9. enableHR

enableHR serves over 11,000 businesses across Australia and New Zealand, positioning themselves as a comprehensive people-management platform with integrated payroll capabilities.

They’ve built their platform specifically for the Australian and New Zealand markets, ensuring deep compliance understanding and local support.

enableHR’s strength lies in its combination of HR management, payroll, and work health and safety features all in one platform.

They offer strong case studies from Australian businesses, including major clients like AHG, managing 4,500+ employees across 100+ sites. Their platform includes built-in WHS management as standard, which is particularly valuable for Australian businesses where workplace safety compliance is critical.

10. Happy HR

Happy HR targets the Australian SME market with a focus on modern user experience and competitive pricing.

They’ve positioned themselves as an alternative to larger, more complex platforms for businesses that want enterprise-grade features without enterprise complexity or pricing.

Happy HR’s approach focuses on simplicity and effectiveness for smaller businesses. They offer core HR functionality with an emphasis on user experience and mobile accessibility.

Their success story includes clients like Zarraffas Coffee, who became Franchisee of the Year 2023 while using their platform, demonstrating that smaller, focused solutions can support significant business success.

How to Choose the Right HR Solution

Your business size significantly influences which solutions will work best for you.

Small businesses (1-50 employees) should focus on Sentrient, Employment Hero, BambooHR, Deputy, or Happy HR. Your key criteria should be ease of use, comprehensive Australian compliance, integrated payroll capabilities, and cost-effectiveness. You don’t need enterprise-grade complexity, but you do need solutions that won’t require dedicated IT support.
Medium businesses (50-200 employees) have more options and should consider ELMO, Employment Hero, BambooHR, or Rippling. At this size, scalability becomes important, along with advanced features like performance management, extensive integration capabilities, and more sophisticated reporting tools.
Large enterprises (200+ employees) need platforms that can handle complexity, which typically means Sentrient, ELMO, Workday, ADP Workforce Now, or Rippling. Your priorities should include complex compliance management, advanced analytics capabilities, multi-location support, and custom workflow development.

Conclusion

After evaluating all the leading cloud-based HR software solutions available in the Australian market, one platform consistently stands out: Sentrient.

What makes Sentrient the best HR solution for Australian businesses is our unique AI-powered approach to compliance automation, specifically built around Australian workplace laws.

While other solutions adapt global platforms for our market, Sentrient was conceived and developed with Australian employment law at its core.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between HR software and HRIS?

HR software is a broad term covering any technology that helps manage human resources functions. HRIS (Human Resource Information System) specifically refers to comprehensive database systems that store and manage employee information.

How much does HR software cost in Australia?

HR software pricing in Australia varies significantly based on features and business size. Budget-friendly solutions like Deputy and FoundU cost $3-5 per employee per month. Mid-range comprehensive solutions like Employment Hero and BambooHR range from $6-22 per employee per month. Enterprise solutions like ELMO, Workday, and ADP use custom pricing models, typically starting from $79 base cost plus per-employee fees. Most Australian businesses see ROI within 12-18 months.

Can HR software integrate with Australian payroll systems?

Yes, most modern HR software designed for the Australian market offers integration with local payroll systems. This includes automatic Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting to the ATO, SuperStream compliance for superannuation contributions, and integration with popular Australian accounting software like MYOB and Xero.

Is HR software suitable for small businesses in Australia?

Absolutely. Many HR software solutions are specifically designed for Australian small businesses, offering scaled-down pricing and simplified functionality.