Managing human resources in Australia and New Zealand presents unique challenges, including navigating complex workplace legislation, ensuring compliance with Fair Work regulations, administering superannuation and KiwiSaver, and staying up-to-date with constantly evolving employment laws. The right HR software can transform these challenges into opportunities, streamlining operations while keeping your business compliant and your employees engaged.
In this blog post, we’ll explore ten secure, well-supported HR software solutions specifically designed for the Australian and New Zealand markets. Each platform has been evaluated based on security features, customer support quality, compliance capabilities, and overall value.
1. Sentrient HR: AI-Powered All-in-One Solution
Best For:
Australian and New Zealand businesses seeking comprehensive AI-driven HR management
Key Features
- AI-powered HR assistance with intelligent recommendations and predictive analytics
- Complete employee lifecycle management from recruitment to offboarding
- Pre-loaded courses, policies, forms, and documents for quick setup
- Integrated payroll and rostering capabilities
- Comprehensive compliance and safety management
Security & Compliance
Sentrient takes data security seriously with enterprise-grade protection measures. The platform’s requirements and compliance with Australian workplace regulations, including Fair Work Act requirements, are supported by regularly updated policies reviewed by employment law specialists.
Support Excellence
With over 600 businesses trusting their platform across Australia and New Zealand, Sentrient provides dedicated support to ensure smooth implementation and ongoing success. Their team offers comprehensive training and onboarding, with ongoing assistance to help businesses maximise the platform’s value.
Why Choose Sentrient?
The platform stands out for its AI-driven insights that help predict workforce trends and provide intelligent recommendations for HR decisions. It’s particularly valuable for businesses seeking to transition from reactive HR management to strategic workforce planning. The pre-built content library means you can be operational in hours rather than weeks.
Pricing:
Custom pricing based on business size and requirements.
2. HiBob: Modern HRIS for Dynamic Workforces
Best For:
Mid-sized companies with distributed or hybrid teams
Key Features
- Beautiful, social media-inspired interface for high user adoption
- Advanced analytics and KPIs to prove HR’s business impact
- Comprehensive onboarding and performance management
- Integration with leading payroll providers
- Engagement features for remote and hybrid teams
Security & Compliance
Bob is built with agility and configurability at its core, ensuring businesses can maintain compliance as they expand to new locations or scale rapidly. The platform adapts to regulatory requirements while keeping data secure.
Support Excellence
HiBob offers comprehensive support, focusing on helping businesses demonstrate the value of HR to leadership through data-driven insights. Their platform is designed for all employees to use, not just HR teams, which drives adoption and engagement.
Why Choose HiBob?
If you’re looking for HR software that feels less like traditional enterprise software and more like a modern app, HiBob delivers. The platform excels at driving engagement and ensuring compliance without sacrificing user experience. It’s particularly powerful for companies with diverse and distributed workforces.
Pricing:
Custom pricing based on employee count and features.
3. Employment Hero: Everything Employment in One System
Best For:
Australian businesses of all sizes seeking an all-in-one employment platform
Key Features
- Complete HR ecosystem including hiring, payroll, compliance, learning, and engagement
- Hero AI available 24/7 to answer pressing HR questions
- ISO 27001:2013 certified for security
- HR advisory service with unlimited workplace advice
- Employee well-being programs included
Security & Compliance
Employment Hero takes security extremely seriously, achieving ISO 27001 certification and using bank-level encryption standards to protect sensitive employee data. The platform ensures businesses stay compliant with Australian workplace laws, with built-in compliance checks and expert HR advisory services.
Support Excellence
With over 300,000+ customers, Employment Hero provides exceptional support, including unlimited HR advisory access. Their HR experts help navigate complex compliance issues, from award interpretation to Fair Work matters, giving businesses confidence in their HR decisions.
Why Choose Employment Hero?
Employment Hero truly lives up to its “everything employment” promise. The platform eliminates the need for multiple systems by consolidating every aspect of the employment lifecycle. The inclusion of Hero AI means employees and managers get instant answers to HR questions, reducing the burden on HR teams. The HR advisory service alone provides tremendous value, especially for small to medium businesses without dedicated HR staff.
Pricing:
Plans start from $12.00 per month; contact for custom pricing.
4. ELMO Software: AI-Forward HR for Complex Organisations
Best For:
Australian businesses requiring sophisticated, modular HR solutions
Key Features
- Unified platform for recruitment, onboarding, learning, payroll, and performance
- Gen-AI capabilities for job descriptions and automation
- Best-in-class payroll solutions adapted to your business structure
- Real-time workforce insights and analytics
- Deep Australia/New Zealand compliance expertise
Security & Compliance
ELMO centralises and secures employee data with enterprise-level security protocols. As an Australian company specialising in the complexity of the local market, ELMO ensures that all modules are designed with Australian workplace laws and regulations in mind.
Support Excellence
ELMO doesn’t just implement software; their ANZ experts guide success with deep knowledge of compliance, best practices, and change management. They help businesses plan, optimise, and sustain outcomes, making them true partners rather than just vendors.
Why Choose ELMO?
ELMO understands that Australian HR is complex, and they’ve built their platform to handle that complexity without overwhelming users. The modular approach means you can start with what you need and scale as you grow. Their AI capabilities streamline time-consuming tasks, freeing up HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives that drive business outcomes.
Pricing:
Custom pricing based on modules selected and company size.
5. Rippling: Global Workforce Management Platform
Best For:
Businesses managing employees across multiple countries, including Australia/NZ.
Key Features
- Unified platform for HR, IT, finance, and payroll management
- Global workforce management across 185+ countries
- Automated onboarding with IT provisioning included
- Device management and security controls
- Corporate cards and expense management integrated
Security & Compliance
Rippling provides strengthened security through automation and unified controls for identity, access, and device management. The platform ensures compliance across various jurisdictions, making it an ideal choice for businesses with international operations, including those based in Australia and New Zealand.
Support Excellence
As the #1-rated HR software on multiple platforms, Rippling provides comprehensive support to its global customer base. Their support team understands the complexities of managing international workforces and helps businesses navigate compliance requirements across borders.
Why Choose Rippling?
Suppose your business operates across multiple countries or plans to expand internationally while maintaining operations in Australia or New Zealand. In that case, Rippling’s strength lies in its ability to manage global complexity through a single platform. The integration of HR, IT, and finance creates powerful automation opportunities that save significant time and reduce errors.
Pricing:
Custom pricing; demo available on demand.
6. Happy HR: Cloud-Based HR Made Simple
Best For:
Australian SMEs seeking comprehensive HR software with free expert support.
Key Features
- Complete HRIS, reducing 90% of HR admin
- FREE qualified HR advisory support included
- Paperless onboarding and contract management
- 45+ legally compliant HR policies constantly updated
- Integration with major payroll providers (Xero, MYOB, KeyPay)
Security & Compliance
Happy HR takes data protection seriously with strict confidentiality policies aligned with Australian privacy legislation. In-house employment lawyers review all contracts and policies to ensure legal compliance with the Fair Work Act and relevant awards.
Support Excellence
What sets Happy HR apart is the inclusion of FREE HR advisory services with qualified HR consultants. With a team of degree-qualified HR professionals available since 2015, businesses get expert guidance on complex HR questions at no additional cost, a tremendous value proposition for SMEs.
Why Choose Happy HR?
Happy HR delivers exceptional value by combining comprehensive software with expert human support. The platform has managed thousands of businesses across all 122 workplace awards, demonstrating deep expertise in Australian employment law. Starting from just $8 per user per month, it’s one of the most cost-effective solutions, without compromising on features or support.
Pricing:
Starting from $8.00 + GST per user per month.
7. BrightHR: Award-Winning HR with 24/7 Support
Best For:
SMEs and enterprises in Australia and New Zealand seeking robust HR and health & safety solutions.
Key Features
- Comprehensive HR, health & safety, and legal support
- 24/7 confidential employee counselling helpline
- BrightSafe for compliance and risk management
- Unlimited document storage in the cloud
- Mobile app for on-the-go management
Security & Compliance
BrightHR holds a Certificate of Assurance from Cyber Essentials, offering robust protection against cyberattacks. The platform is designed to help businesses stay compliant with workplace regulations while protecting sensitive employee data.
Support Excellence
With over 100,000 businesses globally using BrightHR since 2015, their customer support consistently receives five-star ratings. The platform provides 24/7 access to a qualified HR advice line, ensuring help is available whenever needed, a critical feature for businesses operating across different time zones.
Why Choose BrightHR?
BrightHR stands out for its fixed pricing model; even as your business grows and employee numbers increase, your monthly bill remains the same. This pricing guarantee eliminates budget unpredictability. The inclusion of employee well-being counselling and comprehensive health and safety tools makes it a complete people management solution.
Pricing:
Starting from $12.00 per month; fixed pricing with growth guarantee.
8. BambooHR: Complete HR Software for People, Payroll & Benefits
Best For:
Small to mid-sized businesses seeking user-friendly, comprehensive HRIS.
Key Features
- Single platform for employee data, payroll, benefits, and time tracking
- Powerful applicant tracking and onboarding system
- Custom dashboards and HR benchmarks
- Performance management with goals and 360° feedback
- 125+ integrations, including major payroll providers
Security & Compliance
BambooHR customer data is securely hosted with enterprise-level encryption and regular security monitoring. The platform works brilliantly in Australia and New Zealand, capturing all relevant data, including Superannuation, TFN, and KiwiSaver requirements. Local reseller partners ensure compliance with ANZ-specific legislation.
Support Excellence
BambooHR maintains an entirely in-house support team to ensure top-quality service. For Australian and New Zealand customers, official reseller partners like Business Toolbox provide localised support, including demos tailored to local legislation, on-site implementation, local helpdesk support, and billing in local currency.
Why Choose BambooHR?
BambooHR excels in user experience, consistently praised for its intuitive and easy-to-use interface, which leads to high adoption rates. The platform offers excellent value with volume discounts automatically applied as headcount grows. Integration with local payroll providers (DataPay, iPayroll, Crystal Payroll, MYOB, Xero, ADP) ensures seamless operations without forced payroll selection.
Pricing:
Starting at USD $250/month for companies with 25 or fewer employees; per-employee pricing for larger organisations.
9. Sage HR: Cost-Effective HR Management
Best For:
Growing small to medium businesses seeking affordable, feature-rich HR software.
Key Features
- Comprehensive time-off and leave management
- Performance appraisals and goal tracking
- Recruitment and onboarding workflows
- Expense management and training tracking
- Available in multiple languages, including English
Security & Compliance
Sage HR includes data encryption both in transit and at rest, regular security audits, and secure data centres with robust physical and network security measures. As part of Sage, a global leader in business management solutions, the platform benefits from enterprise-level security infrastructure.
Support Excellence
Sage HR provides 24/7 customer support through multiple channels, including live chat, email, and phone. With consistently positive feedback from over 500 reviews (80% would recommend to others), their support team is praised for providing swift issue resolution and excellent customer service.
Why Choose Sage HR?
Sage HR delivers exceptional value with pricing starting at just $5.50 per user per month, making it one of the most affordable options without sacrificing functionality. The platform is highly customisable and can adapt to the requirements of different countries, making it suitable for businesses operating across Australia and New Zealand. The 30-day free trial allows for a thorough evaluation before committing.
Pricing:
Starting from $5.50 per user per month; 30-day free trial available.
10. enableHR: Legal Compliance Built-In
Best For:
Australian and New Zealand businesses prioritising bulletproof legal compliance
Key Features
- Created by Citation Legal, Australia’s leading employment law specialists
- 200+ HR templates, including employment contracts and policies
- Guided workflows ensuring compliance at every step
- Integrated Work Health & Safety management
- Payroll feature for easy, compliant pay runs
- Partnership with LangtonHudson Lawyers for NZ compliance
Security & Compliance
enableHR is a fully cloud-based solution, utilising Amazon Web Services (AWS) with enterprise-level security, including encryption and multi-factor authentication. What truly sets enableHR apart is that every process, workflow, and document has been reviewed by employment law experts, providing unmatched assurance of compliance.
Support Excellence
enableHR provides high-level product support that’s rare in HR software. Their Client Success team (they renamed it from “support” to reflect their commitment) is invested in your success. With 24/7 access to up-to-date information on Awards, rates, and Fair Work Commission requirements, businesses get immediate answers when they need them.
Why Choose enableHR?
If compliance keeps you awake at night, enableHR is your solution. Backed by lawyers and built by practitioners, it ensures you never miss a step in critical HR processes. The pre-populated templates developed by Citation Legal (with more Accredited Specialist lawyers than any other Australian workplace relations firm) provide peace of mind that your documentation is legally sound. The simple interface makes complex transactions accessible for non-HR professionals.
Pricing:
Starting from qpprox. A$8 per month; free trial available.
Making Your Choice: Key Considerations
1. Security Requirements
All ten platforms provide robust security, but considerations vary:
- Highest Certifications: Employment Hero (ISO 27001), BrightHR (Cyber Essentials)
- Legal Compliance Focus: enableHR, Happy HR, Sentrient
- Enterprise-Level Security: ELMO, Rippling, BambooHR
2. Support Needs
Support quality varies significantly:
- Free Expert HR Advisory: Happy HR, Employment Hero
- 24/7 Support: BrightHR, Sage HR, enableHR
- Local ANZ Specialists: Sentrient, ELMO, enableHR, BambooHR (via resellers)
3. Budget Considerations
Pricing spans from affordable to premium:
- Most Affordable: Sage HR ($5.50/user/month), Happy HR ($8/user/month)
- Mid-Range: BrightHR ($12/month), BambooHR ($250/month for small teams)
- Custom Pricing: Sentrient, HiBob, ELMO, Rippling (typically for more complex needs)
4. Best for Specific Needs
- AI & Analytics: Sentrient, ELMO, Employment Hero
- Global Operations: Rippling, HiBob
- Legal Compliance: enableHR, Happy HR
- User Experience: BambooHR, HiBob
- All-in-One Solution: Employment Hero, Sentrient
- Budget-Conscious: Sage HR, Happy HR
5. Integration Requirements
Most platforms integrate with popular payroll and accounting software:
- Xero Integration: Happy HR, Employment Hero, BambooHR, enableHR
- MYOB Integration: Happy HR, Employment Hero, BambooHR
- Multiple Payroll Options: BambooHR, enableHR, Employment Hero
Implementation Success Tips
Regardless of which platform you choose, follow these best practices for successful implementation:
- Start with Clear Objectives: Define what success looks like for your business before selecting software.
- Involve Key Stakeholders: Include HR, payroll, management, and IT teams in the decision process.
- Prioritise Data Migration: Ensure clean, accurate data migration from existing systems.
- Invest in Training: Take advantage of vendor training and onboarding support.
- Phase Implementation: Consider rolling out features progressively rather than all at once.
- Test Thoroughly: Use free trials to evaluate user experience before committing.
- Plan for Integration: Ensure seamless connection with existing payroll and accounting systems.
- Focus on Adoption: Choose user-friendly interfaces that encourage employee engagement.
The Bottom Line
Australia and New Zealand businesses have access to world-class HR software solutions that understand local compliance requirements while providing global-standard features. Whether you’re a startup seeking affordable basics or an enterprise requiring sophisticated automation, there’s a secure, well-supported solution for your needs.
- For immediate impact: Consider Happy HR or Sage HR for cost-effective, feature-rich platforms with expert support.
- For comprehensive solutions, Employment Hero, Sentrient, or ELMO provide everything you need in one integrated platform.
- For compliance peace of mind: enableHR’s lawyer-backed approach ensures you’ll never put a foot wrong with employment law.
- For a modern user experience, HiBob or BambooHR delivers intuitive interfaces that drive adoption and engagement.
- For global operations: Rippling seamlessly manages international workforces while handling ANZ requirements.
The right HR software transforms administrative burden into a strategic advantage. Take advantage of free trials, request demos with local ANZ specialists, and choose a partner that will grow with your business. Your people are your greatest asset. Invest in a platform that helps them thrive while keeping your business compliant, secure, and competitive.
Ready to transform your HR operations? Contact these providers for personalised demos and discover which solution best fits your Australian or New Zealand business needs.
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