Best HR and Rostering Software

Employment Hero combines employee administration with optional workforce and payroll tools for Australian businesses. Its HR offering covers employee records, documents, onboarding and leave, while higher tiers add performance and development functions. Businesses wanting HR and shift management together should compare the complete package rather than assume the entry subscription includes every function.

• Rostering and time and attendance are available as an add-on. Shift swaps, time clocks and labour costing can connect everyday staffing decisions with employee information.
• Payroll and award-related capabilities depend on the products selected. Demonstrate your awards, employee types and approval steps before deciding whether the workflow meets your requirements.
• Compare contractual user minimums, extra modules, implementation and ongoing support. Confirm how existing employee records, leave balances and accounting integrations will move into the system.

Our view: A strong shortlist option when growing teams want connected people administration and workforce processes.

Deputy focuses on staff rostering and time tracking, with Australian HR and payroll add-ons available. Its Lite, Core and Pro tiers offer different levels of scheduling, attendance and workforce control. Managers can compare the basic tools with more advanced automation according to the complexity of their locations and staffing needs.

• Build rosters, manage shifts and collect employee timesheets. Higher tiers add advanced rostering and timesheet functions, so assess the features your managers will actually use.
• The HR add-on supports onboarding, documents and employee feedback. Australian payroll is a separate option; check whether an integration or the payroll add-on fits your existing setup.
• Compare per-user charges, minimum monthly spend and extras such as SMS or additional modules. Use the trial to test clocking, approvals, staff availability and supported award settings.

Our view: A practical choice for businesses whose main priority is organising and recording shift work.

Humanforce offers a broader workforce platform for organisations managing frontline employees. Its suite brings together workforce management, HR, talent and payroll products, with Core and Pro tiers designed around different operational requirements. Buyers should specify the products they need rather than assume a single quoted package includes the entire suite.

• Workforce Management covers rostering, time and attendance and award interpretation. Review the supported rules and location requirements using examples from your own workforce before implementation.
• The HR product supports onboarding, employee administration and performance processes. Payroll, learning and other products can expand the platform, depending on the agreed configuration and integrations.
• Request a demonstration and a written quote covering modules, deployment, migration, training and support. Confirm access permissions, reporting requirements and the effort needed to maintain work rules.

Our view: Worth considering when operational complexity calls for a configured workforce and HR system.

ELMO is an Australian HR software provider offering a modular approach to people management. Businesses can select functions such as HR Core, recruitment, onboarding, learning and performance management rather than choosing solely around rostering. Its wider offering also connects HR with payroll and workforce options, subject to the proposed package.

• Centralise employee information and structure onboarding processes. Consider how documents, approvals and employee changes will be managed across the modules your organisation intends to purchase.
• Learning and performance tools can support staff development beyond day-to-day scheduling. Rostering, attendance and payroll requirements should be confirmed explicitly, including any partner products or separate connections.
• Request a demonstration based on your employee lifecycle and a detailed quote. Compare implementation, data migration, module charges, integrations and the internal resources required to administer the system.

Our view: A useful shortlist option when broader HR processes and employee development are central priorities.

Tanda combines workforce management with optional HR and payroll modules for Australian employers. It is particularly relevant to businesses employing hourly staff and managing recurring shifts. Buyers can compare individual modules with the combined offering, allowing their choice to reflect both operational needs and the systems they already use.

• Workforce Management supports rosters, employee time and attendance, leave and availability. Labour information can help managers review staffing decisions and prepare timesheets for the payroll workflow.
• The HR module includes onboarding, documents and qualification records. Modern Award templates and payroll functions are available within the wider offering; confirm coverage and correct employee classifications.
• Ask for a demonstration using your locations, pay conditions and approval steps. Compare per-user costs, selected modules, migration, support and how existing payroll or accounting connections will operate.

Our view: A worthwhile comparison for employers wanting Australian shift administration and people records in one environment.

Zoho People is a cloud HR system that can be used by Australian businesses, including those already working with other Zoho applications. Its editions range from limited free access to broader paid HR functionality. Choose an edition according to your employee administration, attendance and development requirements rather than assuming all tools are included.

• Manage employee records, leave and HR processes. Onboarding, approvals and workflow capabilities vary by edition, so demonstrate the tasks your HR team needs to complete regularly.
• Attendance, timesheets and shift scheduling are available within the product range. Check the chosen edition and whether its scheduling approach fits your shift patterns and manager responsibilities.
• Confirm Australian payroll connections and award requirements separately; Zoho People itself is not Australian STP payroll. Compare user allowances, billing currency, integrations, support and any additional services.

Our view: A sensible shortlist option for Zoho users seeking connected HR administration.

RosterElf offers Australian rostering and staff management tools aimed at shift-based businesses. Its Core plan focuses on rostering and attendance, while Full Suite adds HR functions. An HR-only option is available for businesses that already have another scheduling system, making it important to compare the particular plan rather than the brand alone.

• Build staff rosters, manage availability and approve timesheets. Core includes clocking tools, award interpretation and labour forecasting to support managers planning and reviewing employee hours.
• HR and Full Suite include employee profiles, onboarding, contracts and document management. Payroll exports or sync connect with Xero and MYOB; this should not be confused with standalone payroll processing.
• Use the advertised trial to test staff access, approvals and integrations. Check minimum employee or seat commitments, monthly versus annual billing and any developing features before subscribing.

Our view: A practical option for smaller employers wanting straightforward rostering with optional HR administration.