Employee engagement is the cornerstone of organisational success. When employees feel valued, connected, and invested in their work, productivity soars, retention improves, and company culture flourishes. To measure and enhance employee engagement effectively, many Australian organisations are turning to dedicated employee engagement survey software solutions. This comprehensive guide examines the top ten software options available in Australia today, enabling you to make an informed decision for your business.
1. Sentrient – Employee Engagement Surveys
Sentrient is Australia’s leading compliance and HR management platform, trusted by over 600 businesses in Australia. Their online employee engagement survey system is part of a comprehensive performance management solution designed specifically for the Australian and New Zealand market. The platform combines user-friendly functionality with robust data management capabilities.
Key Features
- Online survey creation for pulse surveys, health and well-being surveys, and annual engagement assessments
- Real-time reporting dashboards for individual, team, and organisation-wide results
- Customisable survey templates focused on essential engagement drivers
- Ability to measure engagement, satisfaction, dedication, happiness, health and wellbeing, and safety at work
- Support for surveys covering the nature of work, leadership effectiveness, career development, teamwork, company values, and organisational pride
- Trusted by 600+ Australian businesses
Integrations
Sentrient integrates seamlessly with its broader performance management system, allowing data to flow between engagement surveys and other HR functions. The platform operates as part of an all-in-one HR management ecosystem.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Specifically designed for Australian compliance and HR requirements
- All-in-one platform reducing the need for multiple software solutions
- Reliable and trusted by established Australian businesses
- Real-time reporting capabilities
- Focus on comprehensive engagement metrics
Cons:
- Limited information on third-party integrations
- May be broader in scope than needed for smaller organisations seeking survey-only solutions
Best Suited For
Medium to large Australian organisations seeking integrated HR and compliance management with built-in employee engagement survey capabilities.
Pricing
Contact us for a custom quote based on your organisational size and the features required.
Conclusion
Sentrient offers a comprehensive employee engagement survey solution as part of its integrated HR management platform, making it ideal for organisations that want engagement surveys alongside compliance and performance management tools.
2. McArthur – Enhance Employee Engagement & Retention
With nearly a decade of experience, McArthur Talent Architects has established itself as a trusted partner for organisations seeking to improve employee engagement and retention. Their Life App System combines cutting-edge technology with HR consulting expertise to deliver a fundamental transformation of the workplace.
Key Features
- Real-time pulse surveys with a highly customisable, user-friendly interface
- Seven demographic filters and seven core research-backed questions based on Gallup’s Australian employee engagement research
- Support for up to 25 custom questions aligned with strategic HR goals
- Multiple survey distribution channels: email, SMS, and paper formats
- Advanced data analytics and dashboard with expert analysis from HR consultants
- Talent Retention Index (TRI) for understanding employee retention drivers
- Benchmarking for the local government sector
Integrations
The Life App System integrates seamlessly with HRIS systems, providing efficient data management across your entire HR infrastructure.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Research-backed methodology grounded in Gallup’s engagement framework
- Comprehensive retention analysis capabilities
- Expert consulting support included
- Multiple survey delivery options ensure broad employee participation
- Strong focus on actionable insights
Cons:
- Consulting-led approach may increase project costs
- May be more comprehensive than some small businesses require
Best Suited For
Organisations seeking data-driven engagement insights combined with expert HR consulting, particularly those prioritising employee retention strategies.
Pricing
Contact them for a custom quote based on engagement level and consulting services.
Conclusion
McArthur Talent Architects provides a consulting-enhanced engagement survey solution that excels at identifying retention drivers and delivering actionable workplace improvements.
3. Employment Office – Employee Engagement Surveys
The Employment Office offers specialised employee engagement survey services, focusing on delivering authentic and anonymous feedback channels. Their third-party approach ensures unbiased survey administration and objective reporting for Australian organisations.
Key Features
- Third-party survey administration ensuring confidentiality and unbiased results
- Customised surveys based on 16 key organisational areas
- Easy-to-understand analysis and presentation of results
- Support for consistent year-on-year tracking
- Anonymous feedback collection to encourage honest responses
- Professional project management throughout the survey process
Integrations
Employment Office manages the complete survey lifecycle independently, ensuring confidentiality through external administration.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Third-party administration increases employee trust and response honesty
- Comprehensive understanding of organisational needs before survey design
- Expert analysis and presentation support
- Strong focus on confidentiality and data security
- Year-on-year benchmarking capabilities
Cons:
- External vendor dependency for survey management
- May have a longer timeline due to third-party coordination
Best Suited For
Organisations prioritising survey confidentiality and seeking expert-managed engagement measurement with objective, unbiased reporting.
Pricing
Contact them for a quote based on your organisation’s size and the scope of your survey.
Conclusion
Employment Office excels at delivering trustworthy, confidential engagement surveys through professional third-party administration, ideal for organisations seeking objective insights.
4. SACS Consulting – Employee Engagement & Wellbeing
SACS is an employee engagement consultancy with over two decades of experience across Australian industries. They deliver evidence-based engagement and wellbeing surveys grounded in psychological science and validated research methodologies.
Key Features
- Evidence-based surveys validated in Australian workplaces
- Customisable questionnaires ranging from 90 to 140 questions
- Percentile results and industry benchmark comparisons
- Fixed-price model with no per-response fees
- Flexible reporting by division, team, tenure, location, or any demographic needed
- Focus on key engagement drivers: job resources, team resources, organisational resources, leadership, and stress management
- Four-step engagement process from pre-engagement through results and action planning
Integrations
SACS integrates insights with organisational initiatives, providing practical next-step recommendations for implementation.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Grounded in psychological science and validated research
- Transparent, fixed-price model with no hidden per-response costs
- Flexible customisation options
- Australian benchmark data for accurate comparisons
- Comprehensive consultant support
Cons:
- May require a longer planning timeline due to a research-based approach
- Better suited for larger organisations with complex needs
Best Suited For
Organisations in healthcare, finance, government, and professional services seeking evidence-based engagement measurement with psychological science grounding.
Pricing
Fixed-price model with no per-response fees; contact them for an exact quote.
Conclusion
SACS provides scientifically rigorous engagement surveys with deep consultant expertise, ideal for organisations seeking comprehensive, research-backed engagement solutions.
5. HR Profiling Solutions – Workplace Engagement Survey Tool
HR Profiling Solutions offers the FinxS online survey platform, specifically designed for HR professionals and business consultants. The platform provides straightforward, customisable solutions for measuring employee engagement, organisational climate, and customer satisfaction.
Key Features
- Fully customisable workplace surveys aligned with business goals
- Pre-designed Climate, Engagement, and Customer Satisfaction survey templates
- Customisable rating scales and multi-choice question options
- Automated invitation, reminder, and thank-you email systems
- Unlimited response groups and respondents
- Team segmentation functionality by location, division, or team
- Year-on-year data tracking and comparison capabilities
- Branded reports featuring the company logo and colours
- Open-ended feedback collection options
Integrations
FinxS integrates with your organisation’s data systems, allowing for flexible reporting and analysis across the organisation.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Highly user-friendly platform for HR professionals
- Flexible customisation options
- Automated communication processes save time
- Unlimited respondents and response groups
- Comprehensive year-on-year tracking
- Affordable solution for organisations of various sizes
Cons:
- Limited consulting support included
- Requires internal HR expertise to interpret complex data
Best Suited For
Small to medium-sized organisations with in-house HR capacity seeking flexible, affordable, and easy-to-use survey customisation.
Pricing
Varies based on customisation level and respondent volume; contact them for a specific quote.
Conclusion
HR Profiling Solutions delivers a practical, user-friendly survey platform that puts control in the hands of HR professionals while keeping costs reasonable.
6. Great Place To Work® – Australia Employee Survey Software
Great Place To Work® brings 30 years of global employee surveying experience to Australia. Their proprietary Trust Index™ survey measures the core behaviours that create great workplaces and predict business success, retention, and agility.
Key Features
- Trust Index™ survey measuring 60 statements on a five-point scale plus two open-ended questions
- Focus on trust in management, colleague connection, and company loyalty
- Comprehensive demographic analysis across organisational levels and groups
- Rigorous For All™ methodology ensuring equitable employee experience measurement
- Industry-specific and national list rankings based on survey data
- Analysis of employee experience consistency across demographic groups
- Weighting of statements according to workplace equity importance
- Integration with Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) data
Integrations
Great Place To Work integrates assessment data with its global benchmarking platform and certification process.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 30 years of global survey methodology and expertise
- Strong focus on equity and inclusive workplace culture
- Prestigious certification and recognition potential
- Comprehensive demographic and role-based analysis
- Rigorous research-backed methodology
Cons:
- May be more extensive than organisations need
- Certification process requires meeting specific organisational criteria
- Likely higher investment than basic engagement surveys
Best Suited For
Organisations seeking prestigious certification, comprehensive culture assessment, and commitment to equitable workplace experiences.
Pricing
Contact Great Place To Work for certification and survey pricing based on company size.
Conclusion
Great Place To Work provides a globally recognised, research-backed engagement assessment that combines survey data with cultural transformation support.
7. Employment Hero – Employee Engagement Software
Employment Hero is an all-in-one employment solution trusted by 300,000+ customers. Their employee engagement software combines happiness surveys, recognition features, and engagement tools within a comprehensive HR platform designed for businesses with big ambitions.
Key Features
- Monthly employee happiness surveys with anonymous feedback collection
- Hero Points reward system for recognising top performers
- Peer-to-peer recognition through the Shoutouts feature
- Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) tracking for goal alignment
- Integration with the Work app featuring Earned Wage Access, Swag Spend account, and cashback offers
- Employment Hero Store with gift cards and discount offers (up to 20% cashback)
- Comprehensive culture assessment and improvement tools
- Mobile-accessible engagement platform
Integrations
Employment Hero integrates seamlessly with payroll systems, HRIS functions, and employee benefits platforms, creating a unified HR ecosystem.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- All-in-one solution combining engagement surveys with HR management
- Strong focus on employee rewards and recognition
- Integrated financial wellness tools and benefits
- Mobile-friendly for modern workforces
- Large user base providing proven reliability
Cons:
- May include features unnecessary for organisations seeking survey-only solutions
- Best value for organisations wanting comprehensive HR management
Best Suited For
Growing Australian organisations who are seeking integrated HR management with built-in engagement measurement, recognition programs, and employee benefits.
Pricing
Subscription-based pricing; contact them for a custom quote based on company size and features.
Conclusion
Employment Hero delivers engagement surveys as part of a broader HR platform that emphasises employee recognition, rewards, and integrated talent management.
8. Xref Engage – Employee Engagement Surveys
Xref Engage provides innovative survey tools for creating, analysing, and sharing employee engagement data. Built on a foundation from the Voice Project at Macquarie University, the platform emphasises giving employees a voice and driving meaningful organisational change through data.
Key Features
- Expert-designed survey templates for engagement, pulse, onboarding, and exit surveys
- Customisable questionnaires with complete user control
- Cross-platform accessibility (desktop and mobile)
- Benchmarking, comparing results with industry competitors
- Employment Net Promoter Score (eNPS) measurement
- Comprehensive reporting through dedicated Data Studio
- Demographic filtering by department, tenure, and other factors
- Leadership 360 feedback surveys
- Psychosocial hazard assessment capabilities
- Exit survey and onboarding survey options
Integrations
Xref Engage integrates with modern HR systems and offers API connectivity for advanced data integration.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Workplace psychology expertise from Macquarie University Foundation
- Comprehensive survey variety for different engagement needs
- Easy-to-use platform with fast setup
- Strong benchmarking capabilities
- Excellent reporting and visualisation features
Cons:
- May require some learning curve for advanced features
- Pricing structure not clearly published
Best Suited For
Organisations seeking diverse survey types (engagement, pulse, 360 feedback, exit surveys) with strong benchmarking and reporting capabilities.
Pricing
Contact Xref Engage for details on subscription-based pricing.
Conclusion
Xref Engage offers a comprehensive survey platform with diverse questionnaire options and robust analytics, ideal for organisations wanting flexibility across multiple survey types.
9. Rippling – Employee Survey Tools
Rippling provides enterprise-grade employee survey tools as part of its comprehensive HR platform. With 4.9-star ratings on G2, Capterra, and GetApp, Rippling delivers seamless survey experiences integrated with employee data.
Key Features
- Quick survey setup with customisable templates or custom builds
- Event-based survey automation, triggering surveys on specific organisational events
- Multi-step workflows triggering actions based on survey responses
- Unified analytics combining survey data with employee information
- Role-based permissions for survey administration and result access
- Anonymous response capabilities for sensitive feedback
- Real-time analytics and dashboards
- Pulse surveys, experience surveys, DEI surveys, and exit surveys
- Integration with HRIS data, eliminating duplicate data entry
Integrations
Rippling integrates deeply with its comprehensive HR platform, creating a single source of truth for all employee data and enabling sophisticated workflow automation.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional user ratings across multiple platforms
- Seamless data integration reduces administrative burden
- Sophisticated automation capabilities
- Diverse survey types available
- Strong focus on real-time insights and action
Cons:
- Best value when using the complete Rippling platform
- May include more features than survey-only users require
Best Suited For
Forward-thinking organisations seeking sophisticated survey automation, unified employee data analysis, and integrated workflow management.
Pricing
Contact Rippling for enterprise pricing based on organisational size.
Conclusion
Rippling delivers sophisticated survey tools with advanced automation and seamless data integration, ideal for tech-forward organisations.
10. WTW Employee Surveys
Willis Towers Watson surveys 10 million employees annually in 100 languages, providing unrivalled benchmarking capability. With 400 consultants globally and nearly 500 engagement norms available, WTW delivers world-class survey and insight programs.
Key Features
- Advanced survey platform with seamless employee experience
- HRIS system integration, eliminating redundant data entry
- Automated, branded survey invitations and reminders
- Live results tracking with immediate online reporting
- Executive-quality PowerPoint report downloads
- Unrivalled benchmark database with 400+ norms (geographic, sector, functional, demographic)
- Advanced analytical techniques, including key driver analysis
- Predictive modelling identifying behaviour drivers of performance
- Project management and survey strategy design
- High-performance benchmarking for comparative analysis
Integrations
WTW integrates with HRIS systems and provides comprehensive data management across organisational platforms.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unmatched benchmarking capability with 400+ norms from 10 million annual surveys
- Access to PhD-qualified social scientists for advanced analysis
- Comprehensive project management and strategic consultation
- Global reach with local expertise
- 97% client recommendation rate
- Advanced predictive modelling capabilities
Cons:
- Higher investment required for comprehensive services
- Enterprise-focused approach may exceed small organisation needs
Best Suited For
Large organisations who require sophisticated benchmarking, advanced analytics, and strategic HR consulting integrated with employee surveys.
Pricing
Enterprise pricing: contact WTW for a custom quote based on survey scope and consulting services.
Conclusion
Willis Towers Watson provides world-class survey and insight programs backed by unrivalled benchmarking data and advanced analytics. Ideal for large organisations seeking comprehensive engagement solutions.
Key Recommendations
Based on your organisational needs, we recommend considering these platforms:
For Most Organisations: Sentrient Employee Engagement Surveys
Sentrient stands out as an exceptional choice for Australian organisations seeking comprehensive employee engagement measurement. As Australia’s trusted HR and compliance partner serving 600+ businesses, Sentrient offers proven reliability specifically designed for the Australian market. Their platform delivers real-time engagement insights while integrating seamlessly with other HR functions. The focus on key engagement drivers, such as the nature of work, leadership effectiveness, career development, team dynamics, company values, and organisational pride, ensures comprehensive measurement of factors that truly matter.
What makes Sentrient particularly valuable is its understanding of Australian workplace culture and compliance requirements. For organisations wanting an all-in-one platform that handles engagement surveys alongside performance management and compliance tracking, Sentrient provides exceptional value without requiring multiple software integrations.
Conclusion
Employee engagement remains a critical driver of organisational success. With numerous sophisticated software solutions available in Australia, organisations can choose platforms that match their specific needs, budget, and strategic priorities.
From Sentrient’s integrated Australian solution to Willis Towers Watson’s enterprise-level analytics, from HR Profiling’s affordability to Employment Hero’s comprehensive platform, Australian organisations have excellent options for measuring and improving engagement.
The best employee engagement survey software for your organisation depends on your specific requirements. Consider your organisational size, budget constraints, need for consulting support, integration requirements with existing systems, and strategic engagement objectives. Regardless of which platform you choose, committing to regular employee engagement measurement and acting meaningfully on the insights you gather will drive sustained workplace improvements and organisational success.
Start your engagement survey journey today and discover the powerful insights your employees are ready to share. The investment in understanding employee sentiment and acting on it delivers dividends in retention, productivity, and culture benefits that extend far beyond the survey itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often should organisations conduct employee engagement surveys?
Most organisations conduct an annual survey for a comprehensive engagement assessment, supplemented by quarterly pulse surveys to track progress and identify emerging issues. The combination provides both depth and agility in understanding employee sentiment.
2. What response rate is needed for reliable engagement survey data?
Industry best practice recommends aiming for at least 70% participation to ensure results accurately represent your entire workforce. Response rates below this threshold may skew results toward more engaged or disengaged employees, creating inaccurate organisational pictures.
3. How do organisations ensure confidentiality in employee engagement surveys?
Third-party survey administration, anonymous response options, aggregated reporting (showing results by department/team rather than individual), and clear communication about data protection all enhance confidentiality. Organisations should ensure surveys comply with privacy legislation and that employees understand how their data will be used.
4. What makes a good employee engagement survey question?
Practical engagement survey questions are straightforward to understand, solicit actionable feedback, use neutral language, avoid leading questions, and provide meaningful data for decision-making. A mix of quantitative rating-scale questions and open-ended qualitative questions provides both statistical measurement and rich contextual understanding.
5. How can organisations improve survey response rates?
Effective strategies include executive endorsement, communicating survey importance, clear communication about how feedback will drive change, multiple survey delivery options accommodating diverse working situations, timing surveys appropriately, keeping surveys reasonably brief, and ensuring complete confidentiality. Following through on previous survey feedback dramatically improves future participation.
6. What’s the difference between pulse surveys and comprehensive engagement surveys?
Pulse surveys are brief, focused questionnaires administered frequently (monthly or quarterly), measuring specific engagement dimensions or tracking progress on improvement initiatives. Comprehensive engagement surveys are longer, administered annually or semi-annually, measuring multiple engagement drivers and providing deep organisational insights. Together, they offer both frequent check-ins and periodic deep dives.
7. How should organisations communicate survey results to employees?
Transparent communication about key findings, action plans addressing identified issues, and updates on progress toward improvement initiatives demonstrates to employees that their feedback drives real change. Many organisations conduct departmental meetings to present results and gather additional context.
8. What ROI can organisations expect from employee engagement surveys?
Organisations with engaged employees typically experience improved retention, reduced absenteeism, higher productivity, better customer satisfaction, and stronger innovation. While engagement surveys themselves provide measurement, the real ROI comes from acting on survey insights through targeted improvement initiatives.
9. How do leading Australian organisations use engagement survey data?
High-performing organisations use engagement data to identify specific organisational strengths to leverage and gaps to address. They segment results by department or team to target interventions appropriately, track progress over time to measure the effectiveness of improvement initiatives, and tie engagement metrics to broader business performance indicators.
10. What’s the difference between engagement and satisfaction surveys?
Engagement surveys measure emotional investment and commitment to organisational mission and goals. Satisfaction surveys measure contentment with specific job aspects or conditions. While related, these concepts differ; satisfied employees aren’t necessarily engaged, and engaged employees may identify areas where satisfaction could improve.
