8 best payroll software in Australia (2025)

Payroll management in Australia is extremely complex. There are many regulations that businesses need to be all over. It can take a lot of time and effort to get it right. And getting it wrong can come with hefty penalties.

Thankfully, good payroll software can make it a lot easier. It can automate many of the tasks involved in processing payroll. The right payroll system can make complying with Australian labour laws far less stressful.

And there's more good news! Whether you're a global enterprise with diverse payroll requirements or a startup with a handful of local employees, there's payroll software out there that can cater to your needs. Identifying the right fit can be a little challenging, though. But we're here to help!

In this article, we share some of the best payroll software in Australia, along with their key features and strengths and weaknesses. We also outline some steps to take when choosing a payroll system for your business.

Note: The information in this article is up to date as of 01/07/2025. Payroll software features and pricing may change, so always check directly with the provider for the latest details.

What is payroll software?

Payroll software is a tool that helps you pay your staff the right amount, on time. It’s like having a smart helper that manages all the fiddly bits of paying people so you don’t mess it up.

Not all payroll systems are built the same, though. And it's important to note that Aussie payroll is a beast of its own. There's a lot of Australia-specific stuff (tax rules, super contributions, STP reporting, and Modern Awards) that most overseas/generic payroll systems just don’t cover. That means if you grab a random payroll program built for the US or UK, it probably won’t know what to do with Aussie rules straight out of the box.

These days, most payroll tools are cloud-based. This means you pay a subscription, log in online, and it updates itself. The need for old-school downloads or manual upgrades is generally eradicated.

And payroll software isn’t only for big companies. It makes life much easier for small businesses, too. Because even if you’ve only got one employee, you’ve still got to follow the same rules as the big guys.

8 best payroll software in Australia

1. Rippling

Capterra rating: 4.9/5 ⭐

Rippling offers excellent payroll software and so much more than that. It can take care of all your HR, IT, and even global hiring in one place. And all based on the same data. It’s built for Aussie businesses. So, it nails tax, super, STP, leave, and even deals with Modern Award rates without you lifting a finger. It works for any size business, from small local teams to big companies paying staff across different countries. Pricing starts at AUD $12 per person per month, and you only pay for the parts you need.

Rippling’s interface is simple to use. Payroll takes just a few clicks to run. And the system connects with over 600 tools like Xero, Slack, and Google. If you ever need help, fast 24/7 support is available over chat, email, and phone. And most problems are sorted out on the first go! If Fair Work or the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) ever come knocking, your records are all good to go. Rippling’s a solid choice. It saves time, takes the hard work out of compliance, and grows alongside your business.

Core features

• Rippling runs payroll in minutes instead of hours. And it does this for both local and global teams.
• The software does real-time tax calculations, super, and STP lodgements, so you tick all ATO boxes.
• It reads heaps of Australian Modern Awards and applies the right rates automatically.
• The platform offers employee self service through its mobile app. They can check payslips, tax summaries, and request leave.
• Time tracking syncs straight into payroll. No more copying numbers over.
• Rippling makes simple work of contractor payments, too. GST calculations are baked in.
• You can set up custom pay runs at any time and no extra cost. For instance, bonuses or off-cycle payments.
• It pulls all your HR data together. So, changes update everywhere at once.

Strengths

✅Tailored to Australian payroll and Modern Awards: Rippling covers PAYG, super, STP and many Modern Awards to help you stay on the right side of Fair Work. This means a lot less room for errors or fines, and fewer sleepless nights.

✅Connects everything in one place: Rippling is the only software you need to manage your workforce from A to Z. Plus, because HR, Payroll, and IT are built on a single source of truth, your people data is always in alignment. With Rippling, the days of updating the same details in five different systems are over!

✅Ready for local and global growth: Rippling meets your business where it’s at and makes it easy to scale when you’re ready. As mentioned, it's also set up to handle global hiring and payroll.

'Rippling is the best decision our company has made during my years of employment. It has turned HR processes around completely, and we can scale our company using a simple system that manages our employee data and payroll processes.' - Jared, Senior HR

2. foundU

Capterra rating: 4.9/5 ⭐

foundU is an Aussie-made platform that wraps payroll, rostering, and timesheets into one system. It’s built purely for the Australian market. So, it manages local payroll, tax, super, STP, and some award interpretation. It can suit small to medium businesses managing hourly staff, complex shifts, and multiple sites. Pricing starts at $12 per active user each month. But if you’ve got under 25 staff, there’s a minimum of $400 a month plus GST. Unfortunately, you can’t just grab the payroll function by itself. It comes as part of the whole workforce suite.

Once set up, it’s reasonably straightforward to run. The initial setup takes time, though. This is especially true if you’ve got layered awards or lots of sites. Support is Aussie-based and available every day by phone, email, or chat. foundU links with Xero, MYOB, and a few other tools to keep your payroll and books in sync. It can scale well if you’re growing across Australia. But if you ever go international, you’ll need extra systems to handle overseas staff.

Core features

• foundU automates award interpretation. It makes sure staff receive the correct pay rates and penalties every time.
• It puts PAYG tax, super, and STP lodgements on autopilot.
• The platform links rosters directly to time tracking tools and payroll. So, worked hours flow through without re-keying data.
• foundU offers an employee self-service portal for viewing payslips, requesting leave, and updating personal details.
• The platform can also pay contractors, although it’s mainly built around award-based employees.

Strengths

✅Knows Aussie awards and compliance: foundU’s local design means it manages PAYG, super, STP, and Modern Awards without fuss. This reduces manual calculations and compliance risks.

✅All-in-one link between rosters, timesheets and payroll: Everything from scheduling to time tracking and pay runs connects in one place. There’s no need to export timesheets or manually adjust hours.

'We have been using foundU for the past 4 plus years. The platform has grown from strength to strength with its features and ease of use. We recommend it to most of our clients now as it is 'End to End' for HR and Payroll requirements. It stays up to date on all compliance and Fair Work requirements.' - Jane, Payroll Team Leader

Weaknesses

❌No support for international payroll: If you grow beyond Australia, you’ll need a completely separate system to pay overseas staff or manage multi-country compliance.

❌Setup can be time intensive: Businesses with lots of awards, allowances, or varied roles can find the initial configuration detailed and sometimes complicated.

❌Fewer software integrations than other platforms: It does connect with accounting tools. But it doesn’t have the huge library of app integrations you might get elsewhere.

'System is great although it would be nice to have a few more different reports or something to assist with WGEA reporting.' - Carina, HR Manager

3. Deel

Capterra rating: 4.8/5 ⭐

Deel is mainly for businesses with a global focus. It lets you pay employees and contractors in Australia and over 150 other countries, all from one platform. While it covers Aussie payroll basics like PAYG, super, and STP, it doesn’t go deep on local rules or Modern Awards. Pricing starts around AUD $44 per employee each month, which includes global payroll, exchange rates, tax compliance, reporting, and self-service. That’s great if you’re planning to grow overseas. But if you only have local staff, you might end up paying for stuff you don’t need.

Deel’s interface is generally simple. However, it might require more manual work if your business has complex pay rates or staff under awards. Support runs 24/7 through chat and email, but Australian users sometimes see slower replies during local business hours. It connects with several accounting and HR tools to keep your systems talking. Deel can shine if you’re scaling into new countries. But if your focus is on Australia, you’ll probably still need local payroll expertise on the side.

Core features

• Deel automates tax withholdings, super payments, and STP submissions for Australian employees.
• It lets you run payroll for employees and contractors in the same dashboard.
• You can pay in multiple currencies. This is handy for global teams.
• Deel has an employee self service dashboard for employees and contractors to view payslips and contracts.
• The platform's time tracking features directly integrate with its payroll system.
• Deel offers a mobile app.

Strengths

✅All-in-one global HR and payroll hub: Deel does more than help with payroll. It wraps onboarding, compliance, payroll, and employee benefits into one system. This means you can hire, pay, and manage people across 150+ countries from one place.

✅Cuts through currency and tax noise: Deel handles multi-currency payroll and local tax compliance automatically. You don’t need to worry about exchange rates or whether you’re filing the right paperwork in each country.

'My overall experience with Deel has been excellent. I’ve been using Deel for 3 years and have had no issues. Their fast transaction system, Deel Advance, and reliable customer support have always met my expectations. I can confidently rely on Deel for smooth, hassle-free payroll management.' - Aljo, Accounts Specialist

Weaknesses

❌No native award interpretation: Deel doesn’t interpret Australian Modern Awards. If you have award-covered employees, you'll need to work out pay rates and penalties yourself.

❌Higher price for locals: Deel’s pricing structure suits global teams more than Aussie-only businesses. If you’re not going international, it’s often overkill and more expensive than it needs to be.

❌Less tailored local support: Deel spreads its focus across 150+ countries. This means they're unlikely to answer local Fair Work and superannuation questions with the same depth as a payroll software provider with a sharper focus.

'It's US-centered and not customised to different countries/regions; for example, the type of documents required when creating and activating the account are not very suitable for other countries and focus on the documents used in the US only.' - Mohammed, Computer Software

4. ELMO

Capterra rating: 4.5/5 ⭐

ELMO is Australian HR software. It bundles payroll into a bigger system with modules for learning, performance, recruitment, and more. It’s really for mid to large local businesses that want a full HR setup, not just payroll. Deel takes care of PAYG, super, STP, and sorts out some Modern Award rates and penalties. It’s built for Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. So, if you need global payroll beyond that, you’d need another system. Deel doesn’t list prices online. You’ll have to get a tailored quote based on your size and which products you want.

Day-to-day, ELMO can be easy to use once it’s running. Note that setup can take a while, though. It can take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks depending on how much you want customised. Support comes from an Aussie help desk. But decent hands-on help is often tied to bigger contracts. It connects with some accounting, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and recruitment systems. However, it doesn’t have a huge app marketplace. ELMO can be a fit for local businesses that plan to grow teams, add sites, or manage complex awards on home soil. If you’re thinking of hiring all over the world, though, ELMO won’t stretch that far. 

Core features

• ELMO automates award interpretation. Employees get the right pay rates, penalties, and overtime based on the award they fall under.
• The platform takes care of PAYG tax, super calculations, and STP submissions.
• The platform lets employees self-serve through its mobile app. They can view payslips, update their details, and submit leave requests.
• Rosters and timesheets can feed straight into payroll.
• ELMO manages deductions and allowances in line with Australian requirements.
• The system generates a range of payroll and compliance reports to make audits and Fair Work checks easier.

Strengths

✅All-in-one platform for HR and payroll: ELMO brings payroll, HR, onboarding, and performance management into one platform. This can reduce duplicate data entry and mean less bouncing between different systems.

✅Australian-first compliance: Its core focus is on Australian businesses. It keeps up with local tax, super, and award changes.

'Excellent product - has allowed us to bring training, onboarding and payroll and a Human resource database into one system' - Daniel, HR

Weaknesses

❌Not a standalone payroll tool: If you’re only after a payroll solution, ELMO might not be the right pick. You have to buy into the broader HR suite, in some capacity. This may be more than your business needs.

❌Can take time to implement: Because it often encompasses several HR functions, setting up ELMO properly (with all pay rules and workflows) can be time-consuming.

❌Limited global operations: It doesn’t support international payroll to a large extent. If you tap into global markets, you’re likely to need another system for those employees.

'As a content developer, I have found Elmo's setup difficult to understand. You need to spend time with an expert to set up the system correctly.' - Vicki, Program Manager

5. QuickBooks

Capterra rating: 4.4/5 ⭐

QuickBooks is small business accounting software with payroll added on as an extra. It’s built for Aussie tax, super, and STP. So, it handles local compliance well enough, but it doesn’t read Modern Awards on its own. That means you’ll need to set up your own pay rates and penalty rules. It can suit small to mid-sized businesses that want simple payroll tied straight into their accounting,over a big HR system. Prices start at $25 a month for accounting, then an extra $10 per employee for payroll. If you just need basic STP, there’s a cheaper option.

It’s relatively simple to run day-to-day once you’ve done the setup. You’ll need to spend time at the start sorting pay rules if you’ve got complex awards, though. QuickBooks links with timesheet tools and other finance apps. Most integrations focus on your books. Support runs on weekdays by phone, chat, and Facebook. There’s also an online help centre. QuickBooks can be okay for Aussie payroll if your needs are simple. But if you grow overseas or need deep award automation, you’d need extra systems.

Core features

• QuickBooks can calculate tax, super, and leave automatically for each pay run.
• It files your STP reports directly with the ATO each time you process payroll.
• The platform tracks accrued leave balances for employees.
• Employees can view their payslips and manage their details via an online portal.
• QuickBooks enables you to run payroll from its mobile app. This can be helpful for approvals on the go.
• The platform lets you work with multiple pay schedules for different staff groups.

Strengths

✅Solid local compliance and accounting link: QuickBooks takes care of PAYG, super, and STP neatly, while pushing payroll data straight into your books. That can cut out a lot of manual reconciliation.

✅Simple, familiar interface: Many Aussie businesses already use QuickBooks for accounting. Adding payroll means you can keep everything in the same dashboard. This can save time and training effort.

'I love the ability to automate payroll for set hourly and salary employees. I also appreciate the ability to automate payroll tax accruals for filing and payments.' - Sarah, HR

Weaknesses

❌No built-in award interpretation: You’ll have to set up pay rates, penalties and allowances yourself. That increases your risk of mistakes under Modern Awards compared to more in-depth and automated systems.

❌Not suited for most HR needs: QuickBooks doesn’t help with onboarding, performance, or learning. If you need more than pay runs and accounting, you’re likely to outgrow it fast.

❌Limited global scope: It can't manage multi-country payroll. If your team goes international, you’ll have to endure the time and cost of implementing another system.

'For anyone that does not have accounting knowledge, they can easily make mistakes without knowing. Good basic product, but users need to understand financial systems to use this product' - Connie, Payroll

6. Xero

Capterra rating: 4.4/5 ⭐

Xero is mainly an accounting platform that’s added Aussie payroll on top. It’s built for local tax, super, and STP. So, it sorts out the basics, but doesn’t handle Modern Awards automatically. That means you’ll need to set up pay rates, penalties, and allowances yourself. Xero can suit small to mid-sized businesses that already use the system for accounting and want everything in one spot. Pricing starts at $32 a month for one employee, plus $5 for each extra staff member. It’s fine for simple to moderately complex pay runs. But if you’ve got layered awards, multiple entities, or plans to pay people overseas, it won’t stretch far enough.

Payroll runs straight from the Xero dashboard, so most find it easy once it’s set up. However, building pay rules by hand can take time. Support is online-only, 24/7 through a ticket system. It can be hit or miss for more complicated payroll problems. Xero connects with add-ons for accounting, plus timesheet and rostering tools to push hours into pay runs. Xero can grow with your local team (costs add up quickly). If you go global, you’ll need extra systems to keep up.

Core features

• Xero processes pay runs with automated PAYG, super, and leave calculations.
• It sends STP reports straight to the ATO every time you process payroll.
• The software tracks leave balances. It updates them automatically after each pay run.
• Employees can use the Xero Me mobile app. It enables them to check payslips, request leave, and update personal info.
• You can manage multiple pay calendars to pay different staff groups on different cycles.
• Xero integrates timesheet approvals straight into payroll, reducing double handling.

Strengths

✅All-in-one for Aussie accounting and payroll: Because payroll lives inside your Xero account, your books stay in perfect alignment. That can reduce manual reconciliation and errors.

✅User-friendly with Australian compliance basics: It’s simple to manage payroll. And it covers PAYG, super, and STP without extra plug-ins. If you're a small business already comfortable with Xero accounting, it can be an easy add-on.

'Functionality is reasonable, not amazing, but reasonable is perfectly fine. It has a good balance of usability and functionality.' - John, Senior Accountant

Weaknesses

❌No built-in award interpretation: Xero doesn’t read Australian Modern Awards automatically. You’ll have to set up pay rates, penalties, and allowances yourself. This increases your risk of Fair Work mistakes.

❌Standalone payroll and accounting only: Xero's focus is on accounting and payroll. It doesn’t have much to offer when it comes to broader HR needs. So, you’d need extra systems for those.

❌No direct phone support: Xero’s support is online only. You can’t just pick up the phone and call them when something goes wrong. This can mean waiting when you need answers fast.

'I didn't like the lack of support. They have gotten better with support over the years, but there's no number to call or schedule an appointment with. Also, their prices keep increasing substantially and they don't care if you've been there for many years. They will still increase it on you, which is why I left.' - Kyle, Business Manager

7. Employment Hero

Capterra rating: 4.4/5 ⭐

Employment Hero is Australian software that merges payroll with a bigger HR system. It’s designed mainly for local businesses. It manages hiring, onboarding, engagement, and performance on top of payroll. Employment Hero can look after PAYG, super, and STP. It can also automate rates and penalties for some Modern Awards. The platform offers global payroll and EOR services through its Global Teams feature. This can be handy if you’re planning to expand overseas. Employment Hero doesn’t list pricing online. So, you’ll need to get a quote, which can make it tougher to compare to other platforms with clearer costs.

It can be fairly user-friendly to run day-to-day once it’s set up. But many businesses say the initial setup is a bit of a mission. This can be especially true if you’re dealing with multiple awards or global features. Support is mostly through its online help centre and ticketing. Direct phone help usually hinges on paying for higher plans. It links up with Xero, MYOB, and a few other HR or ATS tools, but doesn’t have a massive integration list. Employment Hero can grow with you as you add staff or sites. And it can handle overseas payroll too if you take that step.

Core features

• Employment Hero automates payroll with PAYG, super, leave accruals, and STP reporting.
• It interprets many Australian Modern Awards.
• Employees can see their payslips, update their details, and request leave through a mobile app.
• Rostering and timesheets flow directly into payroll.
• The software manages contractor and employee payments in one place.
• Employment Hero can hire employees overseas and run multi-country payroll.

Strengths

✅Automates award interpretation and local compliance: Employment Hero knows Australian payroll. It can apply Modern Award pay rates, manage PAYG, super, and STP. This cuts down manual admin and compliance stress.

✅Includes a global hiring solution: Its Global Teams service means you can hire and pay staff in other countries without setting up foreign entities. This can make it easier to test new markets.

'The reports are great. Once it is set up, the software works really well, and makes payroll much more enjoyable to do.' - Anne Marie, Office Manager

Weaknesses

❌Pricing isn’t very transparent: You can’t see upfront costs, which makes budgeting harder. You’ll need to request a custom quote to figure out what the platform will actually cost you.

❌Not as many integrations: While it links to popular accounting software, it doesn’t have a large ecosystem of plug-ins. If you rely on niche business apps, you may hit roadblocks.

❌Slow and limited support: Many users report that Employment Hero’s payroll support takes days or even weeks to respond, even for urgent issues. When it comes to compliance, some have been told that the platform can’t confirm if their payroll meets ATO requirements, leaving them exposed if the tax office starts asking questions.

'It has so much potential... or had so much potential. The in-house customisation was brilliant. Used to have great customer service. It seems like each update they do makes it worse. Definitely not suited to slightly complicated to complicated businesses. I have 15 years experience in payroll and never had so many issues with getting support.' - Solomon, Payroll

8. ADP Workforce Now

Capterra rating: 4.4/5 ⭐

ADP Workforce Now is a global platform that mixes payroll with HR, benefits, talent, and time tracking. While it serves Aussie businesses, it was built mainly for the US. It handles PAYG, super, and STP. But it doesn’t interpret Modern Awards, so there’ll be some manual work on your part there. ADP usually suits mid to large companies with complex teams, multiple sites, or plans for big overseas growth. For small Aussie businesses that just want simple payroll, it’s likely overkill. They don’t list pricing online. You’ll need a custom quote, which makes it trickier to compare with other providers.

ADP doesn’t have a reputation for being simple. It’s made for enterprise needs. So, there’s a steep learning curve, and setup can take months. Most businesses need ADP’s help to get going. Support comes by phone and email. But how fast or detailed it is depends on your contract. ADP does integrate with lots of ERP, finance, and time tools. However, if you use mostly Aussie apps, you might need extra work to connect them. On the plus side, it scales easily, handling thousands of staff across different countries in one system. This can be a plus if you’re planning to grow big and global.

Core features

• ADP Workforce Now processes Australian-specific pay runs. It calculates PAYG and super and manages leave accruals.
• The platform sends STP reports directly to the ATO each time you complete a pay run.
• It offers a self-service portal. This enables employees to check payslips, update details, and submit leave requests.
• ADP's time and attendance tools connect with payroll. It automatically pulls hours straight through to pay calculations.
• ADP offers compliance reporting and standard audit trails. This can help you meet Fair Work and ATO obligations.
• Multi-currency payroll and global reporting are available. This makes it easier to coordinate international teams.

Strengths

✅Handles big, complex teams and international payroll: ADP Workforce Now can support large or growing businesses. It can pay staff in multiple countries, produce consolidated global reports, and manage compliance across diverse teams.

✅Comprehensive workforce suite: It goes beyond payroll. ADP brings recruitment, onboarding, time tracking, benefits, and more together. This results in a lot less bouncing between systems that don't talk to each other.

'I would not want to use any other payroll system. I'd rather work with this intricate system than learn a new system from another company with fewer features and a less experienced representative staff.' - Jill, Payroll

Weaknesses

❌Not tailored specifically to Australian awards: ADP doesn’t automatically interpret Australian Modern Awards. This means manually setting up pay rates, overtime, and penalties to make sure you’re compliant.

❌Complex and slow to implement: It's not the simplest payroll platform. Implementation can take a long time and require heavy involvement.

❌Unclear pricing and tiered support: With no public pricing, it’s harder to budget and compare. Also, premium support levels cost extra. So, if you’re on a standard contract, you can expect to wait longer for important payroll help.

'Cons are the cost and that it isn't as simple and intuitive as the small business software others can provide. This is a complex machine designed to work best in complex environments.' - Nolan, Strategic Growth Manager

Why Australian businesses need payroll software

In Australia, payroll processing goes far beyond paying employees on time. It's a complicated process with many steps and many regulations to adhere to. For Australian businesses, payroll software shouldn't be considered a luxury. It's really a necessity. One that can help mitigate many of the payroll stresses businesses face. For example:

• STP reporting is mandatory: Every Australian business has to report payroll information to the Australian Tax Office each pay cycle. Good payroll software can take this off your hands so you don’t get stung with fines.
• Modern Awards make pay calculations tricky: There are over 100 Modern Awards in Australia, each with different rules. Payroll software that can interpret these awards does a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to compliance.
• Superannuation isn’t optional: You need to pay superannuation on time and on the right earnings, or face hefty penalties. Good payroll software tracks and calculates super for each employee, reducing the likelihood of accidental underpayment.
• Australian businesses often have mixed workforces: Full-timers, part-timers, casuals, and contractors all have different entitlements. The best payroll software sorts out who gets what, saving hours of manual admin and reducing errors.
• Tax rates and rules change often: The ATO loves to tweak tax thresholds and obligations. Good payroll software updates automatically, so you’re not scrambling to adjust spreadsheets.
• Record-keeping requirements are rigid: The Fair Work Act demands you keep detailed payroll records for at least seven years. Payroll software can keep everything stored neatly and easily accessible.

How to choose the right payroll software for your business

Now that you're aware of some of the key payroll software offerings in Australia, here are some steps for choosing one:

1. Know exactly what you need: Be clear about your payroll must-haves. Think about how tricky your pay rules are too, like if you’re dealing with Modern Awards, overtime, or lots of benefits.
2. Set a realistic budget: Before you go window shopping, figure out how much you can afford. Consider setup fees, the monthly subscription, plus any extra costs for add-ons or integrations.
3. Check its Aussie compliance muscle: Not all payroll software marketed to Aussie businesses understands Australia’s rules. Make sure it handles STP reporting, super payments and can tackle Modern Awards if you need.
4. Pick something that can grow with you: You don’t want to swap systems every time you hire more people or open a new branch. Choose software that can scale, manage more complex pay needs, and even handle overseas staff in case you expand.
5. Look at integrations: The best payroll software should talk to your existing systems. This keeps everything flowing smoothly without duplicate data entry.
6. Make sure it’s easy to use and well supported: There’s no point buying feature-packed software if your team can’t figure it out. And check what support you’ll get, because reliable, localised help makes all the difference.
7. Don’t skimp on security: It needs to fiercely protect sensitive payroll data. Look for things like encryption, secure cloud storage, and compliance with Aussie privacy laws.
8. Read local reviews: See what other Australian businesses say about the software. They'll reveal how it handles in real life.
9. Check it can be tailored to you: Your business isn’t a carbon copy of the next one. Make sure you can tweak pay types, workflows, and reports to match exactly how you run things.
10. Consider ROI: Weigh up the cost against how much time, hassle, and risk it’ll save you. The best payroll software in Australia will pay for itself by reducing errors, admin, and compliance nightmares.

Pay employees and contractors your way with Rippling

While there are many options for payroll software in Australia, Rippling comes out on top. Offering everything your business needs to manage its workforce in one place, it's the ultimate all-in-one system. With HR, Payroll, and IT all built on a single source of truth, data accuracy across all systems has never been this seamless.

With Rippling, you can pay any type of worker, in Australia and around the globe. And you can do it accurately and on time, every time. Got complex payroll processing requirements? No problem! Rippling handles it with ease, and all while maintaining a 100% error-free guarantee. It means saying goodbye to manual work and putting compliance on autopilot.

And that's not all. Rippling's payroll software offers endless configurations and customisations. It adapts to your business. You can even run off-cycle payrolls without incurring any extra expense.

With Rippling Payroll on your side, you can have peace of mind about compliance. It can interpret many award pay rates (with more and more being added). It can ace PAYGW calculations and STP2 submissions, and even help with super contributions. Apart from peace of mind, this also means that payroll now takes your business minutes to run instead of days.

Whether you're an Australian team of two or a global team of 2,000, Rippling has your back.

Our methodology for ranking the best payroll software in Australia

We’re familiar with these payroll platforms through client rollouts, local market research, and tracking how they perform for Australian businesses. We looked closely at how they handle day-to-day pay runs, STP, super, and award interpretation. We also factored in real user reviews, Aussie search trends, and the latest product updates. 

None of these rankings are paid or sponsored. Rippling came out on top because it nails Australian payroll and Modern Awards while also making global hiring simple. The ratings speak for themselves.

We refresh this guide twice a year to keep it current.

Australian payroll software FAQs

What’s the best payroll software for large enterprises?

Typically, large enterprises need cloud payroll software that can offer:

• scalability
• compliance support
• advanced reporting
• integration with other enterprise tools

Rippling stands out as a payroll provider that can offer all this and more.

How much does payroll software cost in Australia?

There's generally no one-size-fits all solution. And the price of payroll software in Australia typically reflects that. How much you pay for payroll software can depend on many factors, including:

• your business size
• the quality and capabilities of the payroll software
• the features you opt in for

Aside from an ongoing subscription fee, it's important to consider other costs. These may include setup costs, add-ons, integrations or access to the providers' HR and HCM tools.

Can I use payroll software to pay employees and contractors?

Yes. Many payroll software solutions support payments to both types of workers. For example, Rippling allows you to pay employees and contractors in Australia, and around the world. It features customised tax treatment for various pay types. For example, PAYG for employees and GST for contractors.

Can payroll software help with Fair Work compliance?

Yes, some payroll software with a local focus can help with Fair Work Compliance. Take Rippling, for example. Rippling Payroll can interpret many Modern Awards. The system can manage overtime, penalties, and leave entitlements. It can also automate STP reporting, submitting the necessary payroll information to the ATO with every time you process payroll.

Disclaimer: Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.