Top 10 HR And Payroll Software Solutions In Australia For 2026

Which HR And Payroll Software Is Best For Australian Businesses?

Australian employers face obligations that global tools do not always handle well, from Single Touch Payroll (STP) Phase 2 reporting to modern award interpretation and superannuation.

The right platform should help you meet these obligations while staying simple enough for your team to run day to day.

The comparison below covers ten options used across Australia, with current pricing, Australian feature coverage and the type of business each one suits.

Comparison At Glance

Our Top Picks By Business Type

• Best Australian-built platform for compliance-led businesses: Sentrient
• Best all-in-one HR and payroll for Australian SMEs: Sentrient & Employment Hero
• Best for scaling teams that also manage IT: Rippling
• Best for accounting-led small businesses: Xero or MYOB
• Best for mid-to-large organisations wanting analytics: ELMO
• Best for hiring and paying staff overseas: Deel

How Do We Choose

We assessed each platform against the things Australian employers actually need: STP Phase 2 reporting, modern award interpretation, superannuation handling, Australian support hours, ease of use and total cost.

Pricing is taken from each vendor’s published rates and partner listings. Ratings are drawn from review sites including Capterra, G2 and SoftwareSuggest, and are dated, since vendors change pricing often.

We review this guide each quarter. As an Australian-built platform, Sentrient is our recommended choice for compliance-led organisations, and we are clear about where a dedicated payroll tool is the better fit.

Top 10 HR And Payroll Software Platforms

1. Sentrient – 4.6 on Capterra (support and value rated 10/10)

Sentrient is our top pick for Australian businesses that put workplace compliance and training first.

Built in Australia for Australian workplace obligations, it brings compliance management, policy acknowledgement, legally endorsed compliance courses and learning management into one reliable platform, and it is used by more than 1,000 organisations across Australia and New Zealand.

Rather than replacing your payroll, Sentrient connects to it, so you keep your preferred pay run while Sentrient takes care of compliance and training.

Best for: Australian businesses that put workplace compliance and training first, with payroll run through a connected tool.

Australian features: Built for Australian compliance: legally endorsed compliance courses, policy acknowledgement, incident and risk management, and a learning management system.

Payroll and rostering through integration with your chosen payroll tool.

Strengths

• Built in Australia for Australian workplace compliance
• Compliance, policy and training tools in one reliable platform
• Rated 4.6 on Capterra, with standout scores for support and value
• Local, Melbourne-based team and support
• Trusted by more than 1,000 organisations across Australia and New Zealand

Watch-outs

• Runs payroll and rostering through integration, not natively
• Best paired with a dedicated payroll tool for the pay run
• Pricing is tailored to your modules and team size, so a demo is needed for a quote

Check out Sentrient vs Alternatives comparison:
→ Sentrient vs Alternatives: A Complete Comparison Guide To Choose HR And GRC Software In Australia

2. BambooHR – 4.4 G2 / 4.6 Capterra

BambooHR is a US-built HR platform popular with growing teams for its clean interface, employee records, onboarding and applicant tracking.

In Australia it runs payroll through an integration rather than natively, so most local users pair it with a payroll tool.

Best for: Growing teams that want tidy HR records and onboarding, with payroll handled by a connected tool.

Australian features: STP through integrated payroll, strong onboarding, 100+ integrations, mobile app. No native award interpretation.

Strengths

• Clean, easy-to-use interface
• Strong onboarding and reporting
• Large integration marketplace

Watch-outs

• No native Australian payroll or awards
• Support runs on US hours
• Quote-based pricing

Check out the leading HR SaaS Platform options as top alternative to BambooHR:
→ BambooHR Alternatives: Best HR Platforms for Growing Teams

3. Deel – 4.8 (G2)

Deel specialises in hiring and paying people across borders through global payroll, contractor management and employer-of-record services.

For an Australian business with overseas staff or contractors it removes a lot of complexity, though it is not built to be your domestic Australian payroll engine.

Best for: Businesses hiring or paying staff and contractors in other countries.

Australian features: Global payroll, employer of record in 100+ countries, contractor compliance, 24/7 support. Australian STP handled through Deel Payroll.

Strengths

• Wide international coverage
• Fast contractor onboarding
• Round-the-clock support

Watch-outs

• Not a native Australian payroll system
• Employer-of-record pricing is high per head
• Domestic-only businesses will not need most of it

4. ELMO Software – 4.5 (Capterra)

ELMO is an Australian and New Zealand HR, payroll and learning suite aimed at mid-sized and larger organisations.

It brings recruitment, onboarding, performance, payroll and analytics into one system, with Australian compliance built in.

Best for: Mid-to-large AU/NZ organisations that want a broad suite with strong reporting.

Australian features: Native STP Phase 2, award interpretation, superannuation, learning management and workforce analytics. Australian support.

Strengths

• Comprehensive, modular suite
• Strong analytics and reporting
• Established local presence

Watch-outs

• Custom pricing, not published
• Can be heavy for small teams
• Module-based cost adds up

Check out the leading HR SaaS Platform options as top alternative to ELMO Software:
→ ELMO Software Alternatives: Cloud HR Systems That Simplify People Management

5. Employment Hero – 4.3 G2 / ~4.5 Capterra

Employment Hero is one of Australia’s most widely used all-in-one HR and payroll platforms, covering onboarding, HR, engagement and payroll in one place.

Its payroll engine, formerly KeyPay, handles STP Phase 2 and award interpretation and can be bought on its own.

Best for: Australian SMEs that want HR and payroll together with strong local compliance.

Australian features: Native STP Phase 2, award interpretation, superannuation, onboarding, benefits and learning. Australian support hours.

Strengths

• Deep Australian payroll and award coverage
• Broad all-in-one feature set
• Local support

Watch-outs

• Per-month minimums on smaller plans
• Can feel broad for very small teams
• Some features sit on higher tiers

Check out the leading HR SaaS Platform options as top alternative to Employment Hero:
→ Employment Hero Alternatives: Top HR Solutions For Australian Businesses

6. Happy HR – 4.0 (Capterra)

Happy HR is an Australian cloud HR platform built for small and medium businesses that want simple people management, contracts and performance tools without a steep learning curve. Payroll runs through an integration.

Best for: Small Australian businesses wanting straightforward HR with local support.

Australian features: Employee records, contracts, performance, policy management and HR advisory. STP through Happy HR Payroll.

Strengths

• Simple and quick to adopt
• Australian-built with local support
• Useful HR advisory resources

Watch-outs

• No native payroll or awards
• Lighter on advanced features
• Fewer integrations than larger suites

Check out the leading HR SaaS Platform options as top alternative to Happy HR:
→ Happy HR Alternatives: Smart HR Management Tools For Better Workplace Culture

7. HiBob (Bob) – 4.5 (G2)

HiBob’s platform, Bob, is a modern HRIS aimed at mid-market companies that prioritise culture, engagement and people analytics.

It is strong on the employee-experience side, and in Australia it connects to a payroll provider rather than running pay itself.

Best for: Mid-market teams focused on engagement and people analytics.

Australian features: People analytics, engagement, onboarding and performance. Australian payroll through integration.

Strengths

• Modern, intuitive interface
• Strong engagement and analytics
• Good for distributed teams

Watch-outs

• No native Australian payroll or awards
• Local support from a Sydney office
• Premium price point

Check out the leading HR SaaS Platform options as top alternative to HiBob:
→ HiBob Alternatives: Modern HRIS Platforms That Employees Actually Love

8. MYOB – 3.8 (Capterra)

MYOB is a long-established Australian accounting platform with built-in payroll and STP. It suits small businesses that want their books and pay runs in one place, rather than a full HR system.

A standalone payroll-only plan is available for teams that only need to pay staff.

Best for: Small businesses wanting accounting and payroll in one familiar tool.

Australian features: Native STP, superannuation, single touch payroll and basic award support. Australian support.

Strengths

• Accounting and payroll together
• Trusted and widely used in Australia
• Standalone payroll-only option

Watch-outs

• Light on broader HR features
• Award handling is basic
• Tiered plans add cost as you grow

9. Rippling – 4.8 (G2)

Rippling combines HR, payroll and IT management in a single system, so you can hire, pay and manage devices and apps from one place.

It suits companies scaling locally and overseas. Australian payroll and STP are supported, with award interpretation available as an add-on.

Best for: Scaling companies that want HR, payroll and IT unified.

Australian features: Native STP, global payroll, IT and device management, 500+ integrations and automation. With native modern award interpretation.

Strengths

• One system for HR, payroll and IT
• Powerful automation and onboarding
• Large integration ecosystem

Watch-outs

• Modular pricing adds up quickly
• Support is mainly chat-based
• Steeper setup for custom workflows

Check out the leading HR SaaS Platform options as top alternative to Rippling:
→ Rippling Alternatives: Best All-In-One HR Software Platforms For Australian Businesses

10. Xero – 4.4 (Capterra)

Xero is a leading Australian cloud accounting platform with built-in payroll and STP. It is a practical choice for small businesses that want bookkeeping, BAS and pay runs in one system.

Payroll employee limits apply per plan, with a small fee for each extra employee.

Best for: Small businesses wanting accounting with built-in payroll.

Australian features: Native STP, superannuation, automated pay runs and basic award support. Australian support.

Strengths

• Accounting and payroll together
• Very widely used and supported in Australia
• Clean, well-designed interface

Watch-outs

• Light on broader HR features
• Award handling is basic
• Prices rise from 1 July 2026

Standalone Payroll Or All-In-One HR And Payroll?

A standalone payroll system only calculates and pays wages, lodges STP and handles superannuation. An all-in-one HR and payroll platform adds onboarding, leave, performance, compliance and records around the pay run.

If payroll is your only gap, a tool such as Xero, MYOB or Employment Hero Payroll may be enough. If you are also managing people, policies and training across a growing team, an all-in-one platform reduces double handling and keeps your records in one place.

How To Choose

By Business Size

Very small teams and sole traders are usually well served by Xero or MYOB, where payroll sits alongside accounting. Growing SMEs that want HR and payroll together tend to choose Employment Hero or Rippling. Mid-to-large organisations with reporting needs lean towards ELMO.

By Payroll Complexity

If you run modern awards, shift work or multiple agreements, prioritise native award interpretation. Employment Hero, ELMO and Rippling (with the add-on) handle this. If your pay is salaried and simple, an accounting-led tool may be enough.

By Compliance And Training Needs

If your priority is workplace compliance, policy sign-off and mandatory training rather than the pay run itself, an Australian-built compliance and HR platform that integrates with your payroll is often the better fit. That is exactly what Sentrient is built for.

Switching Checklist

Before you move to a new platform, work through these steps to avoid disruption to pay and compliance:

• Confirm STP Phase 2 and award coverage for your industry
• Check superannuation clearing house and ATO integration
• Map your data export and import before you move
• Run a parallel pay run before going live
• Confirm Australian support hours and onboarding help

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best HR and payroll software for small businesses in Australia?

It depends on what you need most. For accounting-led small businesses, Xero and MYOB offer built-in payroll with STP. For HR and payroll together, Employment Hero is a common choice. For small businesses that put workplace compliance and training first, Sentrient is a strong Australian-built option that handles compliance while connecting to your payroll tool.

2. How much does HR and payroll software cost in Australia?

Indicative starting points in 2026 range from around $12 per month for standalone payroll tools to roughly $6 to $20 per employee per month for all-in-one HR and payroll platforms. Australian-built platforms such as Sentrient and larger suites such as ELMO use a tailored quote based on your modules and team size. Always confirm current pricing with the vendor.

3. What Australian features should I look for?

Look for Single Touch Payroll (STP) Phase 2 reporting, modern award interpretation, superannuation handling, Australian support hours, and integration with local accounting tools.

4. What is the difference between HR software and payroll software?

Payroll software calculates and pays wages, lodges STP and manages superannuation. HR software manages people processes such as onboarding, leave, performance, records and compliance. All-in-one platforms combine both, while some businesses run a dedicated payroll tool alongside an HR or compliance platform such as Sentrient.

5. Does Sentrient run payroll?

Sentrient focuses on HR, workplace compliance and training, and integrates with payroll systems rather than processing pay itself. Teams that want compliance and training in one place often run Sentrient alongside a dedicated payroll tool, keeping their pay run and their compliance in step.

6. Is cloud-based HR and payroll software secure?

Reputable providers use data encryption, regular backups and align with Australian privacy law. Look for Australian data hosting and recognised security certifications, and confirm how each vendor handles employee data before you sign up.

7. How long does it take to implement HR and payroll software?

Simple tools can be live in a few days. Larger suites can take several weeks, depending on data migration, award setup and training. Most providers offer onboarding support, and a parallel pay run before go-live helps reduce risk.

8. Can HR and payroll software handle modern awards and STP Phase 2?

Australian-focused platforms such as Employment Hero and ELMO offer native award interpretation and STP Phase 2 reporting. Accounting-led tools handle STP and basic award support. Global tools may need a local payroll partner to meet Australian requirements.

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