What is the best employee scheduling app for Australian businesses?

For Australian businesses, RosterElf and Deputy offer the best mobile scheduling experience with native award interpretation and Xero/MYOB integration. RosterElf is ideal for SMEs (5-200 staff) with its intuitive interface, while Deputy suits larger enterprises. Connecteam is a good all-in-one option but lacks Australian award support.

Are scheduling apps free?

Some scheduling apps offer free tiers. Connecteam offers a free plan for small teams. However, free plans typically lack Australian award interpretation, payroll integration, and advanced time tracking. For compliance-focused Australian businesses, paid plans from RosterElf ($6/user/month) or similar offer better value.

What features should a scheduling app have?

Essential features include: push notifications for shift changes, mobile clock-in/out, shift swap requests, availability management, and team messaging. For Australian businesses, also look for award interpretation, Xero/MYOB integration, GPS verification, and photo clock-in. The app should work offline for staff in poor reception areas.

Can employees swap shifts through the app?

Yes, most modern scheduling apps support shift swaps. Staff request a swap through the app, eligible colleagues can accept, and managers approve with one tap. RosterElf and Deputy automatically check skills and availability before allowing swaps. This reduces manager workload and gives staff more control over their schedules.

How do staff clock in using an app?

Staff open the app on their phone and tap "Clock In" when starting their shift. Options vary by platform: RosterElf offers GPS verification plus optional photo capture, Deputy includes geofencing, and Connecteam supports kiosk mode for shared tablets. Clocked hours automatically flow to timesheets for payroll.

Do scheduling apps work offline?

Deputy, Connecteam, and Employment Hero work offline — staff can view rosters and clock in without internet. Data syncs when connectivity returns. RosterElf requires internet for clock-in functions. Offline capability is important for retail, hospitality, and healthcare sites with poor mobile reception.

How long does it take to set up a scheduling app?

Basic setup takes 1-2 hours for small teams. Import your staff list, set up locations and roles, and invite employees. Award interpretation and payroll integration add another 1-2 hours. RosterElf offers free onboarding support to help configure Australian awards correctly.

Can I import my staff list into the app?

Yes, all major scheduling apps support CSV imports. Export your staff list from your current system (spreadsheet, old software, or payroll), and upload to the new app. Map fields like name, email, phone, and role, then send app invitations to employees.

BUYING GUIDE

Best employee scheduling app Australia 2026

We tested the top scheduling apps on mobile experience, features, Australian compliance, and ease of use. Here are the best options for shift-based teams.

Last updated: December 2024 · Based on hands-on testing and app store reviews

Top 3 employee scheduling apps for australian businesses

Our top picks based on team size and needs

BEST FOR SMES

RosterElf

Intuitive mobile app with Australian compliance built in. Best for shift-based teams of 5-200.

View details

BEST ALL-IN-ONE

Connecteam

Employee super-app with scheduling, communication, and training. Limited AU compliance.

View details

BEST FOR ENTERPRISE

Deputy

Feature-rich app for large organisations with 200+ mobile workers.

View details

METHODOLOGY

How we tested employee scheduling apps

We downloaded each app, created rosters, tested clock-in features, and evaluated the staff experience. We also analysed App Store and Google Play reviews to understand real user experiences.

30%

Mobile

App design, speed, offline

25%

Scheduling

Shifts, swaps, notifications

20%

Compliance

Awards, Xero/MYOB

15%

Ease of use

Learning curve

10%

Value

Pricing, features

Best employee scheduling apps compared

Top pick for Australian businesses

RosterElf

Best for Australian shift workers

Native iOS and Android apps designed for Australian shift workers. Staff view rosters, clock in/out, swap shifts, and manage availability from their phones. Managers build schedules and approve requests on-the-go.

9.1 /10

Starting at

$6/user

App Store

4.7/5

Best for

5-200 staff

Free trial

15 days

Strengths

Intuitive mobile-first design
Push notifications for shift changes
In-app shift swap requests
GPS clock-in with photo verification
Real-time roster updates

Limitations

Desktop experience better for complex scheduling
Fewer gamification features than Connecteam

Start free trial See customer reviews

8.4/10

Best for large mobile workforces

Comprehensive mobile apps with features for scheduling, time tracking, and team communication. Strong for large organisations with complex scheduling needs, though can feel overwhelming for smaller teams.

From $9.75/user/month + add-ons

App Store: 4.5/5

Pros

Feature-rich mobile experience
News feed for team communication
Demand forecasting on mobile

Cons

Steep learning curve for staff
Premium features require add-ons
App can be slow with large rosters

Read review Compare

7.2/10

Best all-in-one employee app

All-in-one employee app combining scheduling, communication, training, and engagement. Strong on features but limited Australian compliance. Good for teams wanting an employee hub beyond just scheduling.

From $35/month (up to 30 users)

App Store: 4.7/5

Pros

All-in-one employee app
Strong communication features
Training and onboarding tools

Cons

Limited Australian award support
No native Xero integration
Scheduling features less robust

Read review Compare

6.2/10

HR platform with scheduling

Full-suite HR platform with mobile app for rostering and time tracking. Scheduling is secondary to HR features. Work app has mixed reviews for roster management.

From $9/user/month (HR Standard)

App Store: 4.1/5

Pros

Integrated HR and payroll
Australian compliance
Hero AI assistant

Cons

Rostering UX needs work
Scheduling not the primary focus
Module complexity

Read review

More platforms (reviews coming soon)

Zenshifts

Mobile scheduling app

RotaWiz

Scheduling app

KeyPay

Payroll app

#10

Sentrient

Compliance app

#11

BrightHR

People management app

#12

BambooHR

HR app

#13

Microkeeper

Time tracking app

Which scheduling app is right for you?

Our recommendations based on your business type

Recommended

RosterElf

Best for Australian SMEs

Best combination of mobile experience, compliance features, and value. Local support team and simple award setup for hospitality, healthcare, and retail.

5-200 staff View details

Connecteam

Best all-in-one app

Employee super-app combining scheduling with communication, training, and engagement. Limited Australian compliance but strong for team culture.

Small teams View details

Employment Hero

HR platform with scheduling

Full-suite HR platform with mobile scheduling. Best when HR and compliance are your primary concern and rostering is secondary.

HR-focused View details

View detailed comparisons

Our review methodology

Learn how we evaluate workforce management platforms through hands-on testing and verified user feedback.

FAQ

Employee scheduling app FAQs

Common questions about employee scheduling apps in Australia

For Australian businesses, RosterElf and Deputy offer the best mobile scheduling experience with native award interpretation and Xero/MYOB integration. RosterElf is ideal for SMEs (5-200 staff) with its intuitive interface, while Deputy suits larger enterprises. Connecteam is a good all-in-one option but lacks Australian award support.
Some scheduling apps offer free tiers. Connecteam offers a free plan for small teams. However, free plans typically lack Australian award interpretation, payroll integration, and advanced time tracking. For compliance-focused Australian businesses, paid plans from RosterElf ($6/user/month) or similar offer better value.
Essential features include: push notifications for shift changes, mobile clock-in/out, shift swap requests, availability management, and team messaging. For Australian businesses, also look for award interpretation, Xero/MYOB integration, GPS verification, and photo clock-in. The app should work offline for staff in poor reception areas.

Ready to simplify your scheduling?

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