If you use Xero for payroll, you've probably discovered it doesn't include rostering. No shift scheduling, no time tracking, no award interpretation. You need a separate app for that—and choosing the wrong one means manual data entry, export errors, and compliance headaches. The right Xero rostering app saves hours every week and ensures your staff get paid correctly.
This guide compares the four most popular rostering apps that integrate with Xero in Australia: RosterElf, Deputy, Tanda, and Connecteam. We'll cover features, pricing, Xero integration quality, and which app suits different business types. Whether you run a café, aged care facility, or retail store, you'll know exactly which rostering app to connect to your Xero account.
Note: Pricing and features are accurate as of January 2026 and may change. This comparison is for general guidance only and is not legal advice—always verify current pricing with each provider and consult appropriate professionals for compliance matters.
Why Xero needs a rostering app
Xero is excellent accounting and payroll software, but it wasn't designed for workforce management. The Xero Me app lets employees view payslips and request leave, but managers can't build rosters, track clock-ins, or calculate penalty rates inside Xero. For shift-based Australian businesses, this creates a gap.
What Xero can't do:
- Create or publish staff rosters
- Track employee clock-in and clock-out times
- Calculate Australian award rates and penalties automatically
- Show labour costs in real-time as you build schedules
- Manage shift swaps or open shifts
A rostering app fills these gaps and connects to Xero via API, syncing employee data and exporting approved timesheets directly to Xero Payroll. The best integrations eliminate manual data entry entirely—approved hours flow straight into your pay run with correct rates applied.
What to look for in a Xero rostering app
Not all Xero integrations are equal. Before comparing specific apps, here's what matters most for Australian businesses:
Award interpretation
Australian Modern Awards are complex. Your rostering app should automatically calculate penalty rates, overtime, and allowances—not leave you guessing.
Integration quality
Look for native Xero API connections with one-click export, automatic employee sync, and leave balance updates—not manual CSV imports.
Transparent pricing
Watch for minimum spend requirements, add-on costs for essential features, and pricing that's only available "on request."
Australian support
When payroll is due and something breaks, you need local support who understand Australian awards, not overseas call centres.
1. RosterElf
RosterElf is a 100% Australian-owned rostering platform built specifically for shift-based businesses. It consistently ranks as the highest-rated rostering app on the Xero App Store, with deep integration that goes beyond basic timesheet export.
Xero integration features
- One-click timesheet export with all penalty rates calculated
- Automatic employee sync from Xero (no duplicate data entry)
- Pay items automatically created in Xero to match award rules
- Leave balances sync between both systems
- Supports Xero Payroll AU, NZ, and UK
Key strengths
- Built-in award interpretation for 100+ Australian Modern Awards
- Real-time labour costs visible as you build rosters
- Perfect Match™ AI auto-scheduling that considers availability, skills, and costs
- Australian-based support team available by phone and chat
Pricing
RosterElf Core
$6/employee/month
billed annually ($8 monthly)
Full Suite (with HR Hub)
$7/employee/month
billed annually ($10 monthly)
No hidden fees. No add-on charges for award interpretation. 15-day free trial.
Best for
Small to medium Australian businesses (5-200 employees) in hospitality, retail, healthcare, and aged care who need reliable award-compliant rostering with straightforward Xero integration.
2. Deputy
Deputy is a global workforce management platform now headquartered in the US. In 2024, Xero invested $25 million in Deputy and announced a strategic partnership to embed Deputy into Xero for Australian customers. It's a feature-rich platform suited to larger organisations.
Xero integration features
- Timesheet export to Xero Payroll
- Employee data sync (auto-sync every 15 minutes when enabled)
- Leave balance synchronisation
- Pay rate management (Deputy or Xero as source of truth)
Key strengths
- Enterprise features including facial recognition time clock, demand forecasting
- Global presence across 8+ languages and multiple countries
- Xero strategic partner with deeper integration planned
Limitations
- Lower Xero App Store rating than competitors
- More complex setup process—may need dedicated payroll team
- Add-on pricing for HR features ($2.50/user/month extra)
- Minimum monthly spend of $30 from September 2025
Pricing
Premium plan
$5/user/month
billed annually ($5.50 monthly)
HR add-on
+$2.50/user/month
additional cost
Minimum 4 users on annual plans. $30/month minimum spend from Sep 2025.
Best for
Large enterprises (200+ employees) with dedicated HR/payroll teams, multi-country operations, or businesses wanting the Xero partnership benefits.
3. Tanda (Workforce.com)
Tanda, now operating globally as Workforce.com, is a Brisbane-based workforce management platform. It's particularly strong on award interpretation and compliance features for larger Australian organisations.
Xero integration features
- Award-interpreted timesheets exported directly to Xero
- Automatic pay item creation in Xero
- Paperless onboarding syncs new hires to Xero (TFN, super details)
- Employee import from Xero
Key strengths
- Comprehensive award interpretation with managed award templates
- Paperless onboarding that flows through to Xero
- Live attendance tracking and compliance alerts
Limitations
- Pricing not published—must contact sales
- Separate pricing for Workforce Management, Payroll, and HR modules
- May be overkill for small businesses
Pricing
Bundle (HR + Payroll + Workforce)
$12.80+/user/month + GST
Individual module pricing available on request. 14-day free trial after sales consultation.
Best for
Mid-to-large Australian businesses with complex award requirements (multiple awards, many allowance types) who need managed compliance support and don't mind contacting sales for pricing.
4. Connecteam
Connecteam is an all-in-one employee app with rostering, time tracking, communication, and training features. It's popular for its generous free tier and flat-rate pricing, though it lacks Australian-specific compliance features.
Xero integration features
- Timesheet export to Xero Payroll AU and UK
- Work hours and job data sync
- GPS tracking on clock-ins
Key strengths
- Free for up to 10 users—genuinely useful free tier
- Flat-rate pricing for larger teams (up to 30 users per plan)
- All-in-one app with communication, training, forms, and HR
Limitations
- No Australian award interpretation—you must calculate penalty rates manually
- Users report occasional issues with hours not syncing correctly to Xero
- No local Australian support team
Pricing
Small Business Plan
Free
up to 10 users
Paid plans
Flat rate
includes up to 30 users
Best for
Very small teams (under 10) wanting a free solution, or businesses with simple pay structures where Australian award interpretation isn't critical. Not recommended for hospitality, retail, or healthcare businesses operating under Modern Awards.
Comparison table: Xero rostering apps
| Feature | RosterElf | Deputy | Tanda | Connecteam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xero App Store rating | 4.9/5 | 4.0/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Award interpretation | ||||
| One-click Xero export | ||||
| Australian support | ||||
| Transparent pricing | ||||
| Free tier available | 15-day trial | 31-day trial | 14-day trial | |
| Starting price | $6/user/mo | $5/user/mo* | Contact sales | Free (10 users) |
| Best for | SME (5-200) | Enterprise (200+) | Mid-large | Micro (<10) |
*Deputy has minimum spend requirements and add-on costs for some features
Our verdict: which Xero rostering app should you choose?
For most Australian SMEs: RosterElf
If you're a small to medium business with shift workers under Australian Modern Awards, RosterElf offers the best combination of Xero integration quality, award compliance, and value. The 4.9/5 Xero App Store rating reflects consistently reliable exports and responsive Australian support.
Choose Deputy if: You're a large enterprise (200+ employees) with complex needs, want facial recognition time clocks, or value the strategic Xero partnership.
Choose Tanda if: You have complex multi-award requirements, want managed award templates, and don't mind contacting sales for pricing.
Choose Connecteam if: You have fewer than 10 employees and simple pay structures where manual award calculations aren't a burden.
Whichever app you choose, the key is ensuring it properly interprets Australian awards before exporting to Xero. Underpaying staff due to incorrect penalty rate calculations is a serious Fair Work compliance risk. Test your integration thoroughly before your first live pay run.
Ready to connect your roster to Xero?
Try RosterElf free for 15 days. See how award-compliant timesheets flow directly to Xero Payroll with one click.
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