11 best HR software options in Australia (2025)

As someone who’s spent years supporting Australian businesses to get their HR, payroll, and compliance in order, I know the right software can save you hours – and the wrong one can cost you a lot more than time.

In Australia, HR systems need to do more than onboarding or leave requests. They have to be able to handle Fair Work rules, superannuation, award interpretation, and STP Phase 2 reporting. On top of this, if mistakes are made, it can be incredibly costly and distressing for your employees.

To help you pick the best HR platform for your business, I’ve trialled and researched the most popular options.

In this article, I’ll break down:

• Which HR systems work best for Australian businesses of different sizes and needs

• How various HR systems handle STP Phase 2 reporting

• Ease of integration

• Pros and cons of each system

The goal of this deep dive is to help you make the right choice for your business.

A note on transparency: Our product is included in this list. To remain neutral, I used the same scoring criteria for every software, which is based on public information and my own testing. You can view all the results in my best HR software research spreadsheet here.

Quick comparison: Best HR software in Australia

Choosing the right HR software is easier when you can easily compare and contrast options side-by-side.

I’ve compared every tool in my shortlist using the same criteria (local compliance, integrations, support, and overall fit) so you can quickly narrow down options to see which one makes sense for your team.

Here is a quick cheat sheet with the results from my testing. If you’d like to see my full research, you can view it here.

Pricing information is based on HR software provider websites as of August 2025. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, I recommend checking directly with each provider.

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Methodology: How I chose my shortlist

Most HR platforms don’t offer a full free trial, so I mixed my approach. For tools without hands-on access, I watched detailed product walk-throughs and independent reviews. For the ones that did offer a free trial or live demo, I used them to see how the workflows felt in practice.

I focused on how each tool handled:

• STP Phase 2 compliance: A must-have for any payroll tool in Australia to meet ATO reporting rules.

• Native integrations: Direct connections with Xero, QuickBooks, or MYOB to help you avoid double-handling your data.

• Local fit: Australian pricing, AU support hours, and compliance resources designed for local laws.

• Ease of use: Smooth workflows for onboarding, leave approvals, and payroll runs.

• Pricing transparency: Clear, accessible pricing and trial information.

• Reputation: High average reviews on Capterra AU.

Some platforms didn’t make the cut because they lacked STP Phase 2 compliance, weren’t suited to Australian businesses, or had poor reviews. The tools on my final list are the ones I consider genuinely viable and valuable for Australian businesses in 2025. You can explore all my research in this Google Spreadsheet.

Deep dive: My full review of each HR tool

Now that you’ve seen the overview and understand the methodology behind it, here’s why I’ve placed each tool where I have. I’ve assessed them through an Australian lens, looking at STP Phase 2 compliance, integrations, and how they hold up in real-world use.

You’ll see what each one does well, where it can fall short, and the type of team it’s best suited to.

1. Rippling

Price: Starts at $12 AUD per employee, per month.

Of all the tools I tested, Rippling came closest to being a true all-in-one for Australian businesses. It shines by combining HR, IT, and payroll in one platform, with built-in STP Phase 2 compliance, and is global payroll-ready from day one.

It’s the only tool I tried that could genuinely replace several separate systems without feeling bloated.

Image source: Rippling

Why people love Rippling

• “I like how user-friendly it is and easy to navigate around. I like the interface, very appealing to the eye.”

• “The details that the application gives you regarding payroll is superb and the functionality of integrating apps is fantastic.”

• “It's a one-stop shop for everything payroll related - access to pay stubs, prior and current tax info, and time off requests. The platform is very user-friendly and can be personalised to the company's needs.”

All quotes taken directly from Rippling’s Capterra reviews.

Where Rippling falls short

• There is no live phone support during Australian business hours, which can slow down teams that have urgent issues. However, despite this, Rippling’s support rating on G2

  is consistently higher than that of its competitors, indicating great customer support.

• Award interpretation is not included in the base price and requires a paid add-on.

• Costs can add up quickly if you start adding more modules than you need.

Is Rippling right for you?

• Use this if you want a clean, modern interface with powerful automation and an all-in-one HR, IT, and payroll that’s compliant in Australia.

• Use this if you’re scaling and want a system that works globally as well as locally.

• Avoid if you need live phone support during Australian business hours.

• Avoid if you want award interpretation included without paying for add-ons.

Rippling: Feature snapshot

Pro tip: If you’re planning to expand, Rippling works in Australia, as well as globally, so you won’t need to switch software later.

2. Employment Hero

Price: Starts at $8 AUD per employee, per month

Employment Hero is a locally built, full-suite HR and payroll platform. It combines payroll, HR, mobile support, award interpretation, and built-in STP Phase 2 compliance, all in a system designed for Australian businesses.

Image source: Employment Hero

Why people love Employment Hero

• “It's simple and easy to use, which is good for a basic solution. Clients enjoy having a solution that costs very little and is easy to set up and use.”

• “We love the reporting on so many aspects of HR - turnover rates, surveys, 1:1's and the way it easily interfaces with other payroll systems. The recruitment function is so easy and allows multiple people to be involved in each step of the process.”

• “The sales and onboarding team have been very supportive. Uploading our data was so easy.”

All quotes taken directly from Employment Hero’s Capterra reviews.

Where Employment Hero falls short

• It can take time to set up, especially if migrating from multiple systems.

• Some features are not as intuitive to navigate.

• Customer support can be slow to respond during busy periods.

Is Employment Hero right for you?

• Use this if you want a single, Australian-compliant system with built-in award interpretation and streamlined HR and payroll.

• Avoid if you require a rapid, live phone support team.

Employment Hero: Feature snapshot

Pro tip: If you manage award-covered staff and want one platform for both HR and payroll, Employment Hero saves you from juggling separate tools or doing manual calculations.

3. ADP Workforce Now

Price: Starts at $150 USD per month.

ADP Workforce Now is a full-suite HR and payroll platform built for larger teams. It’s strong on compliance and offers payroll tools, with STP Phase 2 compliance.

Image source: ADP

Why people love ADP Workforce Now

• “I use ADP on a daily basis to help administer payroll for thousands of employees. There’s a reason it’s so popular; it’s very user friendly and has a pleasant and logically put together interface.”

• “The Payroll, HR and Benefits management modules are most useful and critical for our needs. Our dedicated support person is top tier and very helpful.”

• “I use ADP every workday to clock in and out - even from my mobile phone. It's convenient, easy to use, and has everything I need right at my fingertips - including the amount of accruing PTO and sick time.”

All quotes taken directly from ADP Workforce Now’s Capterra reviews.

Where ADP Workforce Now falls short

• The interface can feel outdated and less intuitive than modern cloud tools.

• The tool is best suited for large businesses and can feel overwhelming for SMBs.

• Customer service can be slow to respond, especially for smaller businesses.

Is ADP Workforce right for you?

• Use this if you need an enterprise-level HR and payroll solution with strong compliance features.

• Avoid if you are a small business looking for an inexpensive, lightweight tool.

ADP Workforce Now: Feature snapshot

Pro tip: ADP Workforce Now is best suited to larger, compliance-heavy teams; smaller businesses may find this cost and complexity unnecessary.

4. BambooHR

Price: Starts at $250 USD per month.

BambooHR is a simple, easy-to-use HR platform that focuses on employee records, onboarding, and performance tracking. It’s designed for smaller teams that want a simple system and don’t need Australian payroll.

Why people love BambooHR

• “BambooHR has been a fantastic addition to our toolkit, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Its ease of use, top-notch customer service, helpful trainings and webinars, and sleek design make it stand out as an HR solution.”

• “I appreciate that it's pretty simple to use and navigate, allowing you to [get a] general overview of your organization and then zoom in as needed.”

• “Bamboo is an easy to use system. It is not the Cadillac of systems but what it does perform, it does well.”

All quotes taken directly from BambooHR’s Capterra reviews.

Where BambooHR falls short

• It can be expensive for small teams when priced per employee.

• Some features, such as advanced performance management, cost extra.

• Limited compliance resources for Australian-specific requirements.

Is BambooHR right for you?

• Use this if you want a clean UI, fast onboarding, and straightforward HR tools.

• Avoid if you need a built-in Australian payroll.

BambooHR: Feature snapshot

Pro tip: BambooHR works well for small teams that already have payroll handled elsewhere, but want better HR workflows and onboarding.

5. Elmo

Price: Not publicly listed.

Elmo is a full-suite HR and payroll platform built in Australia. They pride themselves on covering the entire employee lifecycle, including all your core HR functions, payroll, recruitment, onboarding, learning, and analytics. It's a great option if you have employees in NZ, as it has an Auckland office and offers support in both time zones.

Image source: Momentum Software Solutions.

Why people love Elmo

• “The advice, expertise and ongoing support since then has been amazing and we have developed a wonderful partnership with ELMO.”

• “I use ESS ELMO software nearly every day in my role; for requesting leave, undertaking mandatory training, keeping an eye on performance KPI's and measurement.”

• “Nice interface, everything is at a glance, and the features are easy to use. The icons for each heading is very helpful as well.”

All quotes taken directly from Elmo’s Capterra reviews.

Where Elmo falls short

• Users report that the sales process isn’t transparent and that support often takes time to resolve their issues.

• Implementation takes time and requires training.

• Due to the large number of options for customisation, the platform can feel confusing and overwhelming.

Is Elmo right for you?

• Use this if you’re an HR or payroll manager at a mid-sized AU/NZ business that needs local compliance and an all-in-one HR hub.

• Avoid if you’re a small business and just need a simple, easy-to-use platform.

Elmo: Feature snapshot

Pro tip: Elmo is one of the few HR platforms purpose-built for Australia and New Zealand. It can be useful to see combined analytics from both countries in one.

6. Workable

Price: Starts at $299 USD per month.

Workable is a hiring platform and applicant tracking system for internal hiring teams. It lets you post jobs, schedule interviews, and manage candidates in one place, with integrations to popular job boards.

Image source: People managing people

Why people love Workable

• “Great automation ability to make things faster. Managers find it easy to use, and it's a great way of staying up to date with recruitment activity.”

• “I have been a user of Workable for over 5ys (only used the ATS functionality), and having used other systems, it is definitely the best.”

• “Great for allowing the whole team to view candidate profiles. The reporting features allow more members of the organisation greater clarity into the hiring process.“

All quotes taken directly from Workable’s Capterra reviews.

Where Workable falls short

• Higher starting price than many applicant tracking systems.

• Some advanced features are locked behind higher-tier plans.

• Reporting features could be more customisable.

Is Workable right for you?

• Use this if you want a simple applicant tracking system with job posting and scheduling tools.

• Avoid if you need payroll, award compliance, or broader HR functions.

Workable: Feature snapshot

Pro tip: Workable suits teams that hire regularly but don’t need payroll or compliance tools. You will need a separate HR platform for end-to-end staff management.

7. Workhuman Social Recognition

Price: Not publicly listed.

Workhuman Social Recognition is designed to help medium to large teams boost engagement and culture through peer-to-peer recognition and rewards. It works alongside your existing HR and payroll systems rather than replacing them.

Image source: Workhuman

Why people love Workhuman Social Recognition

• “An easy, seamless, and integrated awards program where employees can recognise and be recognised. A great platform to boost morale and recognition.”

• “I really enjoy sending recognition using Workhuman. It is very helpful, especially the automatic notification.”

• “It has been very pleasant! The portal is very user friendly and I like seeing all the praise from my network.”

All quotes taken directly from Workhuman’s Capterra reviews.

Where Workhuman Social Recognition falls short

• It can be expensive depending on the size of your team and program scope.

• Setup can be time-intensive if you want a fully customised program.

• The tool offers limited integration options compared to full-suite HR systems.

Is Workhuman Social Recognition right for you?

• Use this if you want a dedicated recognition and rewards platform to support company culture.

• Avoid if you need payroll, compliance, or core HR functionality in the same system.

Workhuman Social Recognition: Feature snapshot

Pro tip: This platform works best when integrated with your existing HR or payroll software, as it focuses purely on engagement rather than administration.

8. HiBob

Price: Starts at $16 USD per employee, per month.

HiBob is a modern HR platform built for mid-sized, culture-focused teams. It offers flexible workflows, engagement tools, and people management features without built-in Australian payroll.

Image source: HiBob

Why people love HiBob

• “Very remote/global-friendly. Pretty easy implementation, great support from their team during the selection & implementation.”

• “HiBob is both easy for administrators to use and intuitive for end users.”

• “HiBob has been super easy to use. It has been appealing to the eye. It has really eased the workload around the office.”

All quotes taken directly from HiBob’s Capterra reviews.

Where HiBob falls short

• No Australian payroll or award interpretation built in.

• It can be expensive for smaller teams due to per-employee pricing.

• Some users find the reporting features limited for in-depth analytics.

Is HiBob right for you?

• Use this if you want an HR system that puts culture and engagement at its centre.

• Avoid if you need built-in Australian payroll or award interpretation.

HiBob: Feature snapshot

Pro tip: HiBob works best when paired with a local payroll system, giving you strong culture and engagement tools alongside compliance.

9. Keka

Price: Starts at $114 USD per month.

Keka is a simple, scalable HR and payroll platform. It has strong payroll features for multiple countries, but does not offer Australian award interpretation or local payroll compliance.

Image source: Keka

Why people love Keka

• “The best thing about Keka is it required GPS On while clock-in and clock-out that help to track employee location easily.”

• “With keka, my life got easier, I no longer need to remember to leave balance, I no longer needed to ask HR for payslips.”

• “Overall, Keka is good and affordable.”

All quotes taken directly from Keka’s Capterra reviews.

Where Keka falls short

• Limited integrations with Australian payroll systems.

• The interface may feel less polished than larger global competitors.

• Smaller support presence in the Australian market.

Is Keka right for you?

• Use this if you need global payroll for APAC countries outside Australia.

• Avoid if you require Australian payroll compliance or award interpretation.

Keka: Feature snapshot

Pro tip: Keka is ideal for companies that need a cheap and simple multi-country HR system.

10. Gusto

Price: Starts at $49 USD per month, plus $6 USD per user.

Gusto is a US-based payroll and HR platform that’s best for Australian businesses with US employees. It handles US payroll, benefits, and compliance, but it does not support Australian payroll or STP compliance.

Image source: Gusto

Why people love Gusto

• “I love how simple and relatable Gusto is. It is very user-friendly and super easy to use as an employee.”

• “Gusto covers all the relevant functions for our daily HR work. The interface and operation are simple and clear.”

• “I have used Gusto for several different businesses and I have no plans of changing anytime soon. Gusto makes our weekly payroll very easy.”

All quotes taken directly from Gusto’s Capterra reviews.

Where Gusto falls short

• No payroll or compliance for Australia.

• It can be costly if you only have a few US employees.

• Limited compliance resources for Australian businesses.

Is Gusto right for you?

• Use this if you employ US-based staff and want an all-in-one payroll and HR system for them.

• Avoid if you need payroll or compliance support for Australian employees.

Gusto: Feature snapshot

Pro tip: Gusto is a strong choice for managing US employees from Australia, but you’ll need a separate system for local payroll.

11. Workday

Price: Not publicly listed.

Workday is a global enterprise HR, payroll, and finance platform with strong Australian compliance. It supports STP Phase 2 and local leave laws, making it one of the few truly enterprise-grade systems that covers both HR and payroll in Australia.

Image source: Workday.

Why people love Workday

• “I like the mobile application capabilities as it helps us work remotely without much hassle.”

• “What I like the most about this Workday is it's self service option where employees can manage their information and have easy access to their pay statements and direct deposit information.”

• “My overall experience is great, I've really appreciate the ease of use, and other employees can also attest to this.”

All quotes taken directly from Workday’s Capterra reviews.

Where Workday falls short

• Users report that it is priced higher than its competitors.

• The platform requires maintenance from an HR team to keep it up to date and helpful.

• Due to being designed for enterprise teams, SMBs might find the platform overly complicated.

Is Workday right for you?

• Use this if you’re an enterprise HR or payroll leader in Australia or NZ.

• Avoid if you’re a small business or want a quick, low-cost solution.

Workday: Feature snapshot

Pro tip: Workday is ideal for large, complex organisations that want to unify HR, payroll, and finance with global compliance. Most SMBs will find it too costly or complex.

How to find the best fit for your business

he right HR software depends on how your team works, your compliance needs, and how much time you want to spend managing payroll and HR admin.

Use the checklist and tips below to narrow down your options before you commit to a demo or trial:

Ask these questions in your demo to see if the HR software really works for your team before you decide:

Pick any individual product suite you need, or unite them all to accelerate your entire operation.

See Rippling

Which HR tool is right for your role?

One thing I’ve learned after researching and testing these platforms is that ‘best’ depends entirely on who’s using the platform and their role.

An HR manager with 500 employees needs something different from a founder juggling payroll between meetings.

Here’s where I believe each tool on my shortlist fits best:

Expert tip: If you run payroll, make sure the software is STP Phase 2 compliant before worrying about anything else. If it’s not already set up in the software, fixing it later will be an expensive hassle.

Key 2025 Australian HR compliance changes to be aware of

Keeping your HR tools up-to-date with legal changes is non-negotiable, especially when payroll and award rules are involved.

Here’s what’s shifting in 2025 that could impact your setup, and which platforms are already accommodating these changes.

Expert tip: Most STP errors aren’t caused by the ATO. Instead, they come from tools that don’t validate pay categories properly before they are lodged.

Final thoughts and next steps

After testing all these tools, I was surprised by how differently they handle Australian compliance. Some look great on the surface, but fall short on STP features. Others cover compliance well, but feel heavy and clunky if you’re not tech-savvy.

Why Rippling took the #1 spot

Rippling was the only platform that genuinely felt like it could replace multiple systems without adding extra complexity.

I could manage payroll, HR, and even IT tasks like device management in one place, and it all worked seamlessly together.

Another strength is that it handles both Australian compliance (with STP Phase 2 and local leave rules) and global teams, so you won’t need to change platforms if your business grows globally.

Final advice

If you’re still on the fence, run a free trial or book a couple of demos. Compare them side-by-side. Once you get into the platforms, you begin to get a real feel for how they could support your team.

FAQs

What is HR software?

It’s an HR management system that helps you manage payroll, onboarding, leave, and compliance in one place. The best HR management software for Australian businesses will handle STP Phase 2 reporting, award interpretation, and provide easy self-service portals for staff.

Which HR software is best for small teams, agencies, or enterprises?

• Best all-rounder for most businesses: Rippling is a top choice if you want HR, IT, and payroll in one platform with Australian compliance built in. It scales from small teams to large enterprises and has one of the widest integration ranges on the market.

• Small teams: BambooHR is a good option if you want a simple HR platform for quick onboarding and employee records without payroll.

• Recruitment agencies: Rippling works well if you want an all-in-one HR platform that includes applicant tracking, while Workable is better if you just need a standalone ATS for job posting and interview scheduling.

• Enterprises: ADP Workforce Now is designed for complex payroll and compliance for teams of 50 or more.

What’s the best HR software for award interpretation?

Look for HCM software, like Employment Hero, with built-in awards, automated payroll rules, and compliance checks. These ensure your HR processes correctly calculate penalties, allowances, and overtime without manual work.

Which HR tools work with Xero or MYOB?

Choose a platform with native integration so employee data, leave, and payroll sync directly to your accounting software. Rippling and Employment Hero both connect seamlessly with Xero and MYOB.

What’s the cheapest HR management system with STP Phase 2 support?

Pair Xero or MYOB payroll with an affordable option like Rippling or Employment Hero. You’ll get STP compliance, built-in award tools, and essential HR features without paying for extras you don’t need.

How much does HR software cost in Australia?

Some tools make pricing clear upfront, like Rippling, Employment Hero, BrightHR, and Keka. While others like BambooHR, Workhuman, and HiBob require a demo to get pricing.

When comparing costs, it’s important to be mindful of platforms that list a low base price but lock core features like payroll, award interpretation, or reporting behind add-ons. Here’s a quick rundown of all the costs and whether they include payroll.

A few providers offer discounts if you commit to annual billing. BambooHR and BrightHR have been known to give lower per-month rates on yearly contracts.

Can I switch HR tools without losing data?

Yes. Export employee data, migrate files from document management, rebuild your automated workflows, and run one pay cycle in both systems to confirm accuracy before moving fully.

How can Rippling help me?

Rippling combines employee onboarding, payroll, and IT management in one management solution. It offers Australian compliance, automated workflows, custom reports, and app integrations that scale with your business.