Avoid Wage Mistakes, Fair Work Fines, and Compliance Chaos - Here’s What to Use Instead
Payroll compliance in Australia isn’t just a checkbox. It’s a minefield of Modern Awards, STP reporting, super obligations, and ever-changing Fair Work regulations. For HR managers and business owners juggling rosters, timesheets, and multiple sites, the right software can mean the difference between costly underpayments and operational confidence.
In this guide, we cut through the noise to spotlight the top five payroll platforms that nail Australian compliance - with a special focus on businesses employing 20 to 500 people.
Let’s start with what you should actually be looking for.
What to Look for in Payroll Compliance Software
1. Award Interpretation Built for Fair Work:
You need a platform that can handle penalty rates, overtime, allowances, and shift loadings based on Modern Awards or EBAs. Ideally, it should apply rules automatically so you’re not cross-referencing spreadsheets or relying on manual overrides.
2. Single Touch Payroll (STP) Compliance:
STP Phase 2 is now mandatory for all employers. Your platform must transmit payroll data directly to the ATO - including disaggregation of gross, income types, and employer-reported super.
3. Superannuation & Leave Accruals:
Look for automated SuperStream submissions and leave calculations that adjust based on time worked, employment type, and accrual caps.
4. Integrated Workforce Management (WFM):
Payroll that syncs with rostering, timesheets, attendance, onboarding, and HR records reduces double-handling and data mismatches. Unified systems reduce compliance gaps and human error.
5. Audit-Ready Reporting:
Your software should log every payroll event with timestamps and provide comprehensive summaries and logs for Fair Work audits.
6. Security and Support:
Payroll data is sensitive. Role-based access, audit trails, and local Australian support make a real difference.
The 2025 Rankings: Best Payroll Compliance Platforms in Australia
1. ClockOn – Best for End-to-End Compliance Under One Roof
Why ClockOn is #1: Purpose-built for the complexity of Australian Awards, ClockOn combines payroll, rostering, time & attendance, and HR into one fully integrated system.
Key Features:
Advanced award interpreter engine handles pay rules automatically
ATO-compliant STP Phase 2 reporting with secure API integration
SuperStream-ready SAFF export + super contribution tracking
Dynamic leave accruals (not static hours)
Real-time roster costing and automatic timesheet population
Ideal For: Pharmacies, hospitality groups, aged care, independent grocers, manufacturing firms - anyone juggling complex rosters and multiple awards.
Limitations: UI feels dated; mobile app has minor quirks. But these are outweighed by the strength of its native compliance features.
Pricing: SMB-friendly and modular. From $7 per employee per month for full HR features. Also offers a free STP tool for <20 employees.
Our take: "ClockOn isn't just payroll software.. it's a compliance engine with integrated workforce management built for the realities of Australian business."
2. Employment Hero – Best All-in-One HR + Payroll Platform
Why It Ranks:
Combines HR, recruitment, engagement, and payroll with KeyPay’s compliance engine under the hood.
Key Features:
Strong STP, PAYG, and award compliance via KeyPay backend
Employee self-service portal and Swag mobile app
Onboarding, performance reviews, policies, and contracts in one place
Automatic leave syncing and updates to payroll
Limitations: Steep learning curve. Setup is complex. Some users report app bugs and slow support.
Best For: Growing companies that want one vendor for HR + payroll. Ideal for businesses scaling beyond 50 employees.
Pricing: Premium. Feature-rich, but costs rise with modules.
3. Roubler – Best for High-Volume Compliance Automation
Why It Ranks: Handles everything from applicant tracking to payroll in one system, with enterprise-grade award automation and compliance alerts.
Key Features:
Auto-posts approved timesheets to payroll with award rules
One-click optimized rostering with legality checks
Full HRIS with e-learning, onboarding, and training
Limitations: Pricey. Overkill for businesses with <50 staff. Some users cite support delays.
Best For: Multi-site or large shift-based businesses (hospitality, retail, care). Great if you have compliance anxiety and scale.
Pricing: Custom quote. No free trial.
4. Microkeeper – Best Budget-Friendly All-Rounder
Why It Ranks: Aussie-made, affordable, and simple to use. Packs WFM + payroll into one tidy interface.
Key Features:
Automatic payslips from real-time time tracking
Supports Australian award rules + super compliance
Mobile clock-ins, rostering, leave approvals
Limitations: Reporting isn’t as robust. Some integrations (e.g. MYOB) are less stable. Premium features target larger orgs.
Best For: Cost-conscious SMBs looking to digitise payroll without complexity.
Pricing: From $2.25 per employee/month. Transparent pricing.
5. Tanda (Workforce.com) – Best for Shift-Based Award Compliance
Why It Ranks: Industry leader in award interpretation for hospitality, retail, and healthcare.
Key Features:
Preloaded award templates
Compliance alerts on shifts and rosters
Real-time cost tracking against budget
Optional native payroll module or Xero/MYOB integration
Limitations: Lacks broader HR features. Not cheap. Not ideal for salaried teams.
Best For: Hospitality, care, and retail businesses with rotating rosters and complex pay rates.
Pricing: Tiered pricing, per-user. No free plan.
What’s Your Compliance Confidence Level?
Choosing payroll software is a compliance decision as much as an admin one. If your business deals with shift penalties, public holidays, or casual loadings, manual or disconnected systems won’t cut it anymore.
ClockOn rises to the top not just for what it does, but how it does it - with everything integrated, tracked, and automatically aligned to Fair Work legislation. Other platforms have their strengths (especially for HR-heavy use cases), but if payroll compliance is non-negotiable, ClockOn is the smart, streamlined choice.
Next Steps? Demo two platforms side-by-side with your most complex award scenario. And don’t be afraid to quiz support teams on updates, automation, and audit logs.
Fair Work won’t wait for you to catch up. Choose software that helps you stay compliant by design, not just by luck.
