Whether you run a small business or a large enterprise, having the right HR software helps streamline compliance with Fair Work legislation, simplify payroll, and improve the team member experience. Without it, people teams may struggle with manual processes, scattered data, and missed compliance deadlines—all of which can lead to costly mistakes and frustrated team members.
HR tools are widely adopted across the country: Over 70 percent of Australian companies now use HR technology for payroll, workforce management, and engagement. This adoption reflects a growing recognition that HR tools help with every stage of the employee lifecycle.
In this article, we’ll explore the best HR software for Australian companies—from startups to large enterprises—so you can choose the right fit for your team. These platforms offer powerful onboarding, performance management, compliance tracking, and more, all tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses operating across Australia.
Best HR software for Australian businesses: Quick overview
To create this list, we compared leading platforms on compliance with Australian laws, ease of use, scalability, and suitability for different business sizes. Here’s a quick look at the top platforms and which businesses they’re best suited for:
| HR software | Best for | Customer size | Key industries | Pricing style |
| HiBob | Modern HRIS with engagement focus | Mid-sized & scaling (51–500) |
Tech, services, creative sectors | Custom pricing |
| ADP | Enterprise-grade payroll & HR | Large (500+) |
Finance, healthcare, manufacturing | Custom pricing |
| BambooHR | User-friendly HR management | Small to medium (10–300) |
Tech startups, services | Per-employee, monthly |
| Deputy | Workforce scheduling & compliance | Small to medium (1–500) |
Retail, hospitality, healthcare | Modular pricing |
| ELMO Software | All-in-one HR, payroll & LMS | Medium to large (200–1000+) |
Government, education, corporate | Modular pricing |
| Employment Hero | Payroll & perks | Small to medium (1–200) |
Startups, SMBs | Subscription tiers |
| PeopleHum | AI-powered HR & engagement | Small to medium (10–500) |
Distributed teams, SMEs | Subscription tiers |
| Personio | Global-ready SME HR | Small to medium (20–500) |
Tech, professional services | Tiered by employee count |
| Rippling | Unified HR + IT + finance | Medium to large (200–1000+) |
Tech, scaling enterprises | Per-employee, monthly |
| Sentrient | Compliance-first HR | Medium to large (200–1000+) |
Healthcare, construction, education | Custom pricing |
| Workday | Enterprise HR & finance | Large (1000+) |
Finance, government, higher education | Custom pricing |
We built this list by reviewing dozens of HR platforms widely used by Australian companies. We started with official product information to understand each platform’s features and positioning, then cross-checked that with customer reviews on sites like G2 and Capterra to get a sense of real-world user experience.
This list prioritises platforms that address the challenges Australian HR teams face most often—payroll and tax compliance, engagement, onboarding, performance management, and analytics.
Benefits of HR software for Australian companies
HR’s role in productivity, growth, and people strategy is in the spotlight. As companies look for ways to drive efficiency and improve the workplace experience, HR leaders are stepping into more strategic roles.
“HR practitioners are not sitting at the fringe of these [economic reform] conversations,” says Australian HR Institute’s CEO, Sarah McCann-Bartlett. “It was clear from the discussions happening both on and off stage at our convention that HR leaders are essential in creating productive workplaces that will support growth in organisational productivity.”
To meet rising expectations, forward-thinking HR professionals are turning to platforms that simplify compliance, streamline operations, and empower teams to make smarter decisions. They’re using HR tech to:
- Streamline payroll and tax compliance with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- Improve engagement through feedback and recognition tools
- Simplify recruitment and onboarding for new hires
- Speed up decision-making with HR analytics and reporting
- Track performance and align goals using OKRs and continuous feedback
- Ensure compliance with Fair Work Act and National Employment Standards (NES)
- Manage time, attendance, and scheduling for shift-based workforces
- Secure sensitive data with GDPR-compliant and ISO-certified infrastructure
- Empower people with self-service tools for payslips, leave, and scheduling
- Scale operations more effectively across multiple locations or jurisdictions
Whether you’re scaling fast or managing a distributed team, modern HR software supports sustainable growth by reducing manual admin and enabling strategic action.
Features to look for in HR software for Australian companies
Choosing the right HR software requires more than just comparing price tags. Consider the following key features to ensure you meet compliance needs, industry requirements, and team member expectations:
- Compliance with Australian labour laws: The best systems automate award interpretation, leave entitlements, and termination rules to keep you aligned with the Fair Work Act and National Employment Standards (NES) standards.
- Payroll and tax management: Strong platforms automate Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting, superannuation contributions, and end-of-year filings
- Employee engagement and performance: Features like surveys, recognition tools, and OKR tracking help managers support their teams while keeping people connected and motivated
- Recruitment and onboarding: Applicant tracking and workflow automation help create a consistent, professional candidate experience and make day one smoother for new joiners
- Time and attendance tracking: Mobile apps, rostering tools, and geolocation ensure accurate hours and fair scheduling, especially for shift-based industries like retail and hospitality
- Data security and privacy: Encryption, local hosting, GDPR compliance, and ISO-certified cloud protections safeguard sensitive data while meeting privacy regulations
- Ease of use and accessibility: A clean interface with mobile access and self-service options empowers your people to handle essentials like payslips, schedules, and leave requests without adding extra admin work to HR
Top HR software platforms for Australian companies
Here’s our in-depth look at the top HR software platforms helping Australian companies build resilient, high-performing teams.
HiBob
Best for: All-around HR for modern, mid-sized Australian companies
G2 score: 4.5/5
HiBob’s platform is designed for modern, dynamic Australian businesses that want more than just HR administration. It emphasizes culture, engagement, and people-first functionality, making it a strong fit for small and medium-sized businesses. HiBob centralizes performance management, onboarding, compensation, and analytics, giving HR leaders the tools to make data-driven decisions while maintaining a human touch.
The platform is also designed with global teams in mind, providing flexibility to handle multi-country payroll and compliance needs. HiBob is particularly well-suited for organizations that want to balance compliance and efficiency with employee experience.
What customers say:
“What I like most about HiBob is how easy it is to use and how much it handles. At our company, we use it for everything from time off and reviews to payroll, benefits, and org charts—all in one place.” –verified user
“What I love most is that it makes my day-to-day work lighter instead of adding extra complexity. The user experience is excellent, and it genuinely feels like the system was built with people in mind.” –verified user
ADP
Best for: Enterprise payroll across multiple jurisdictions. Platform depth can feel complex for small to mid-sized businesses.
G2 score: 4.2/5
ADP is a global HR and payroll provider that offers a wide range of services, including payroll processing, workforce management, HR administration, and benefits management. It is frequently used by large organizations and multinational companies due to its ability to support complex payroll requirements and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
In Australia, ADP provides integration with Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting and tools to help organizations meet Fair Work obligations. The platform is structured to support businesses with large or distributed workforces that require comprehensive compliance and payroll solutions.
What customers say:
“Reviewing your paycheck and time off is easy.” –verified user
“The product overall isn’t the most user-friendly and is often buggy.” –verified user
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the ADP website as of the publication date. Please consult the provider directly for the most current details.)
BambooHR
Best for: Companies wanting a user-friendly HR-first system. The platform lacks the broader financial or IT integration found in larger all-in-one suites.
G2 score: 4.4/5
BambooHR is a cloud-based HR software platform developed for small and mid-sized businesses. It includes tools for maintaining team member records, managing time off, running performance reviews, and handling applicant tracking. The system is known for its straightforward interface, which allows smaller HR teams to adopt it without extensive training.
BambooHR integrates with third-party payroll systems, providing flexibility for businesses that already have payroll providers in place. It is commonly adopted by organizations looking for a general-purpose HR platform with a focus on simplicity and usability.
What customers say:
“The interface is simple.” –verified user
“Your company setup needs to be fairly cookie cutter to get the most efficiency out of BHR. They do not offer much in the form of customization.” –verified user
(This article includes platform features and pricing platforms that reflect the information available on the BambooHR website as of the publication date. Please consult the provider directly for the most current details.)
<<Compare HiBob vs. BambooHR and see which fits your business best>>
Deputy
Best for: Shift-based industries that need scheduling. It’s not a full HR suite, so performance management and learning tools might require integrations.
G2 score: 4.6/5
Deputy is an Australian-developed platform focused on scheduling, rostering, and time-tracking. The system is designed to support businesses that employ hourly team members and is widely used in industries such as retail, hospitality, and healthcare, where managing shifts and compliance with workplace awards is a core requirement. Deputy’s platform allows employers to create rosters, track attendance, and manage leave requests while also supporting mobile clock-in and shift-swapping.
What customers say:
“I’ve been using the Deputy app for work, and it has made tracking my shifts so much easier.” –verified user
“My biggest complaint for Deputy would be the holiday taking on it as it seems to never work or go through to management.” –verified user
(This article includes platform features and pricing platforms that reflect the information available on the Deputy website as of the publication date. Please consult the provider directly for the most current details.)
ELMO
Best for: Mid-market and enterprise companies looking for compliance-focused HR software. The wide scope may overwhelm smaller teams.
G2 score: 4.4/5
ELMO Software is an Australian provider offering HR, payroll, and learning management solutions. The platform includes modules for recruitment, onboarding, payroll processing, training, and compliance management. Its modular design allows organizations to adopt specific components or use the system as a broader, integrated HR suite.
ELMO is typically implemented by medium and large organizations that require locally developed solutions aligned with Australian workplace legislation. It is used across industries such as government, education, and corporate services.
What customers say:
“What I like best about ELMO software is its configurability and user-friendliness.” –verified user
“Learning Course catalogue is still expected to be updated manually whereas it should be automatically synced.” –verified user
(This article includes platform features and pricing platforms that reflect the information available on the ELMO website as of the publication date. Please consult the provider directly for the most current details.)
Employment Hero
Best for: SMBs that want HR, payroll, and benefits in one platform. Large or international functionality is more limited compared to global platforms.
G2 score: 4.4/5
Employment Hero is an Australian HR platform designed primarily for small and medium-sized businesses. It provides modules for payroll, compliance, benefits, and HR management. The platform integrates with Australia’s STP requirements and includes features that allow businesses to extend additional perks, such as financial wellness tools and staff discounts.
Employment Hero’s focus on smaller companies makes it accessible to organizations without dedicated HR departments. It is used by employers who want to consolidate payroll and basic HR functions in one system.
What customers say:
“The best part of Employment Hero is that HR, Payroll, and Time and attendance is all integrated.” –verified user
“Some workflows aren’t easy to understand within the system, and my recent experience creating performance review periods was less than ideal.” –verified user
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the Employment Hero as of the publication date. Please consult the provider directly for the most current details.)
PeopleHum
Best for: Businesses looking for an HR suite with AI tools. The AI-heavy focus may feel too complicated for less tech-savvy teams.
G2 score: 4.6/5
PeopleHum is a cloud-based HR system that combines team member engagement, performance management, and analytics. It includes modules for recruitment, ongoing feedback, and workforce insights, aiming to support organizations in managing both operational HR and people-focused processes.
Its dashboards allow HR teams to monitor team member sentiment and productivity trends.
What customers say:
“The user interface is pretty simple and it’s great to have all our employee data in one place.” –verified user
“The modules were templatized from the beginning, making them difficult to adapt to organizational dynamics and evolving needs of the departments.” –verified user
(This article includes platform features and pricing platforms that reflect the information available on the peopleHum website as of the publication date. Please consult the provider directly for the most current details.)
Personio
Best for: Companies wanting a central hub to replace spreadsheets for HR, payroll, and recruiting. The large number of features may not be practical for smaller teams.
G2 score: 4.4/5
Personio is an HR software provider originally founded in Europe that has expanded to serve businesses in Australia and other regions. The platform covers core HR processes, including payroll, time-off management, recruitment, and performance reviews. It is designed for small and medium-sized businesses moving away from spreadsheets or manual HR systems.
Personio also offers features to support businesses that operate internationally or are scaling quickly. Its primary customer base includes organizations in professional services, technology, and other white-collar industries.
What customers say:
“It is easy to find things and put in requests.” –verified user
“Payroll and survey modules are not fully functional.” –verified user
(This article includes platform features and pricing platforms that reflect the information available on the Personio website as of the publication date. Please consult the provider directly for the most current details.)
<<Compare HiBob vs. Personio to see which fits your business best>>
Rippling
Best for: Businesses that want HR, IT, payroll, and finance managed from one system. Its broad scope means setup can be complex and may take more resources upfront.
G2 score: 4.8/5
Rippling is an HR platform that integrates human resources with IT and finance management. It provides payroll, compliance, and benefits tools while also enabling organizations to manage devices and software access. The system automates many aspects of the employee lifecycle, from onboarding to offboarding, reducing the need for manual processes.
It’s generally adopted by medium to large businesses, particularly in the technology sector, that want an integrated approach to HR and IT administration.
What customers say:
“Fairly easy to use and automates a lot of tasks.” –verified user
“I don’t like the org chart. I find it difficult to navigate.” –verified user
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the Rippling website as of the publication date. Please consult the provider directly for the most current details.)
<<Compare HiBob vs. Rippling to see which fits your business best>>
Sentrient
Best for: Businesses that prioritize workplace compliance, policy management, and eLearning. It focuses heavily on compliance, so broader HR functions may require other tools.
Capterra score: 4.7/5
Sentrient is an Australian HR and compliance management platform with a focus on workplace safety and policy administration. Its features include managing company policies, delivering training modules, and tracking certifications. The platform is often adopted by organizations in regulated industries, such as healthcare, education, and construction, where compliance oversight is critical.
Sentrient is designed to support medium and large companies that want to strengthen compliance while also managing HR functions.
What customers say:
“The Dashboard for employees is simple to navigate.” –verified user
“Some features are less intuitive than they could be.” –verified user
(This article includes platform features and pricing platforms that reflect the information available on the Sentrient website as of the publication date. Please consult the provider directly for the most current details.)
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Workday
Best for: Large enterprises that need a global human capital management (HCM) platform. The cost and implementation time can be prohibitive for smaller organizations.
G2 score: 4.1/5
Workday is an enterprise-level software platform that combines HR, payroll, financial management, and analytics. It is widely used by multinational organizations that require advanced functionality to manage global workforces. In Australia, Workday provides integration with local compliance standards while maintaining scalability for international operations. The platform is suited to large organizations with complex structures and reporting requirements.
What customers say:
“The number of features are good since it gets the job done in terms of workforce management.” –verified user
“Significant change management is required to capitalize on the benefits of Workday HCM.” –verified user
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the Workday website as of the publication date. Please consult the provider directly for the most current details.)
<<Compare HiBob vs. Workday – See which fits your business best>>
Choose the best HR software for your Australian business
Australia’s HR tech landscape offers a wide range of solutions for businesses of all sizes—from simple payroll tools to global platforms. The key is choosing a solution that grows with your team and supports your people at every stage.
HiBob is built for modern, people-led businesses. With tools that streamline admin, boost engagement, and keep you compliant across jurisdictions, it’s a smart choice for Australian companies ready to scale—without losing sight of their people.
TL;DR — HiBob leads our Australian HR software roundup, centralizing feedback tools, team engagement features, and comprehensive training resources in one platform.
