insight
6 best payroll software and services for the Australian market.
Make choosing the best payroll, simple
Published on 18 Nov. 2025 - Reading time: ~8-10 mins
The bedrock of any business is an effective payroll system, one that helps businesses pay employees accurately and on time.But today, modern payroll needs to be much more than that. It has to handle the complexity of Australian legislation1 , including STP, Payday Super, Superannuation, Fair Work compliance and ATO requirements, while having the capability to expand as your business grows.
Table of Contents
- So how do you choose the right payroll system and software for your business?
- Decision checklist
- Must-have features to look out for
- See how the best payroll software and services compares
- ADP Payroll UK — best for growing businesses
- What are the most frequently asked questions you need to keep in mind when making the decision?
- Conclusion
So how do you choose the right payroll system and software for your business?
Making the right choice for your payroll provider raises many questions. Which system is best? What software do you need? Do we keep the function in house or do we outsource it?
Navigating these options can feel overwhelming. A good place to start is with a checklist. To help you, we’ve put together a comprehensive list so you can evaluate potential providers and choose the right payroll software solution for your business.
Decision checklist:
- Is it the right size for your business?
Whilst small businesses need something simple and easy to implement, medium to large businesses may be looking for a solution that has more advanced features and is scalable for future growth. - Is the software within budget?
Compare different pricing for each model and evaluate it against implementation, training and additional costs for on-going support. - Do the payroll functions meet your needs?
Look for features that can support HR including time-tracking and employee self-service options. - Does it keep up with the latest compliance and regulations?
Look out for a payroll software that can automatically update to the latest laws and other relevant regulations.
Must-have features to look out for
Payroll software solutions have a lot of features to consider. Here are some of the key ones you should look out for when choosing the best payroll software for your business.
- Integration — make sure the software integrates well with your HR functions to avoid duplicate data entry and conflicting information
- Compliance monitoring — stay compliant with the latest STP, Payday Super, Superannuation, Fair Work laws and ATO requirements
- Accessibility — ensure cloud-based software compatibility and mobile-friendly availability to allow employers to run payroll from anywhere, anytime
- Scalability — it should have the ability to evolve as your business grows
- Automation — look for software that automates labour-intensive parts of payroll like calculations, deductions and payments
See how the best payroll software and services compares
Based on the checklist and must-have features, we have compared the best payroll software and services in the market so you can make the right decision for your business.
| Product features/ capabilities |
ADP | MYOB | Xero | Employment Hero | ELMO | Rippling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Complete AU payroll integration |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| STP (Single Touch Payroll) and compliance automation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Native mobile payroll app | ✔ | Basic | Basic | ✔ | Basic | ✔ |
| Integrated time tracking and scheduling | ✔ | Basic | Basic | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dedicated onboarding support for new clients | ✔ | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Basic | Basic |
| Advanced payroll analytics | ✔ | Basic | Basic | Basic | Basic | Basic |
| Integration with POS and HR | ✔ | Basic | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Salary benchmarking/market data | ✔ | Not offered | Not offered | Basic | Not offered | Basic |
| Employee benefits and discount portal | ✔ | Not offered | Not offered | Basic | Not offered | Basic |
| Access to legal/HR advisory support | ✔ | Not offered | Not offered | Basic | Basic | Basic |
| Automated (ABA/Bank file or STP pay event) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Not offered | ✔ |
Grow your business with payroll services, expertise and unified technology.
Discover ADP Payroll ServicesADP Payroll UK — best for growing businesses
Getting payroll right should feel easy. With ADP, you get more than just software — you get a partner in your corner. Everything works simply, from paying your team to staying on top of the latest Australian rules. As your business grows, ADP grows with you, always ready to help you take the next step. Less hassle, more confidence — it allows you to spend time on the work that really matters.
Key features
- Strong HR integration that seamlessly links payroll with HR systems
- Advanced reporting with robust tools for more informed decision-making
- Trusted brand with over 40 years serving the Australian and New Zealand market
- Scalable pricing options to suit growing businesses.
“ We use ADP’s professional services that takes the stress out of payroll...especially the changing rules and responsibilities within payroll."
What are the most frequently asked questions you need to keep in mind when making the decision?
What is the best payroll software in Australia?
ADP is considered one of the top solutions due to its range of features and the ability to scale up as your business grows.
What features should I look for in payroll software?
Key features to look out for include HR integration, compliance tools and automation.
Is cloud-based payroll software safe?
Yes. For example, ADP uses robust security measures to help keep your data is safe.
Can payroll software integrate with my existing HR systems?
Modern payroll software should seamlessly link with your HR system, helping to unify employee-related information. This saves you time, resources and errors, while increasing the quality of data.
How do you start choosing the right payroll software?
Start by looking at how well it integrates with HR systems, its compliant monitoring capabilities and cloud-based accessibility. It’s also worth checking its ability to adapt as your business grows plus its automation features that help you deal with labour-intensive tasks (e.g. calculations, payments etc.).
Can payroll software scale up with my business growth?
Yes. Modern solutions are designed to be scalable, supporting your business as it grows. For example, ADP offers cloud-based payroll solutions that can adapt to various business sizes and needs, as well as those with complex global payroll requirements.
Conclusion
Choosing the right payroll software solution is an important decision for your business. By reading this guide you should hopefully understand which one ticks all your boxes.
Whatever the size of your business, it’s vital to choose a provider that can help meet your needs today and tomorrow.
ADP’s scalable and integrated payroll solution is a top choice for many businesses wanting to save time, reduce errors, help maintain compliance and be prepared for future growth.
Book a call with our team of experts today
1 https://www.austpayroll.com.au/apa-software-directory/
