Best HR software for small business Australia 2026
Hands-on comparison
We've analysed the most widely used HR-only platforms in Australia, with a focus on onboarding, digital contracts, policy management, licence tracking, and employee record-keeping — without payroll or rostering.
This guide compares how each system performs in real-world small business scenarios, helping you choose a practical, cost-effective HR solution that meets Australian compliance needs.
· 12 min read
Written by
Steve Harris
Steve Harris
Workforce management specialist with 10+ years experience in Australian HR tech. Former operations manager in hospitality.
Edited by
Georgia Morgan
Georgia Morgan
Senior editor and compliance researcher. Background in employment law and Fair Work regulations.
Top 5 HR software at a glance
Short on time? Here are our top picks for HR software for small business in Australia:
9.0/10
Complete HR Hub with onboarding, contracts, policies & compliance.
Learn more
8.0/10
Comprehensive HR platform with onboarding & payroll integration.
Read review7.5/10
Clean interface with strong document & absence management.
Read review
7.0/10
Mobile-first HR with onboarding & training for field teams.
Read review
6.5/10
Enterprise scheduling platform with HR add-ons.
Read reviewOther notable time & attendance platforms we reviewed
We looked at 10 widely used time tracking platforms in Australia. The top five above are our strongest recommendations overall, but these additional platforms may suit specific needs:
Zenshifts
Simple clock-in/out
Humanforce
Enterprise time tracking
When I Work
Basic timesheets
Sling
Free time clock
Microkeeper
Kiosk & biometric
Key features to look for in small business HR software
Based on our evaluation, these are the HR capabilities that matter most for Australian businesses managing people, compliance, and records — without payroll or rostering complexity.
Employee onboarding
Digital onboarding ensures new employees are set up correctly from day one. The best HR platforms collect personal details, issue contracts, assign policies, and store documents in one workflow.
Learn moreDigital employment contracts
Employment contracts should be easy to create, send, sign, and store digitally. A good HR system tracks acceptance and ensures signed agreements are securely retained within each employee record.
Learn morePolicy management
Policy management tools centralise workplace policies, distribute updates, and record employee acknowledgements. This creates an audit trail and ensures staff always have access to current policies.
Learn moreLicence & certification tracking
For roles requiring licences or certifications, tracking expiry dates is critical. The right HR software stores credentials against employee profiles, sets expiry reminders, and maintains compliance.
Learn moreDigital HR records
A central digital HR record keeps all employee documents — contracts, policies, certifications — securely stored in one place. This simplifies audits and removes reliance on paper files.
Learn moreCompliance-ready documentation
For Australian businesses, HR software should support Fair Work–aligned record keeping with clear documentation trails for contracts, policies, and acknowledgements to reduce disputes.
Learn moreHR software review methodology
Our team has spent considerable time working directly with Australian HR platforms — setting up onboarding workflows, testing digital contracts, and evaluating policy management and compliance features. This guide reflects our hands-on experience, not marketing materials.
- Evaluated onboarding workflows, digital contracts & policy management
- Tested licence tracking, employee records & compliance documentation
- Analysed 500+ verified reviews from Xero App Store & Google
20+
Platforms
researched
10
Fully reviewed
end-to-end
5
Top picks
identified
Australia-focused
Fair Work & SME
Our goal is to help you choose an HR platform that supports Australian compliance needs — ideally without the trial-and-error many businesses go through.
How we tested HR software
For each platform, we created accounts, set up onboarding workflows, tested digital contracts and policy management, and evaluated compliance documentation features. Here's how we weighted each factor:
30%
Onboarding workflow
Setup, contracts, policies
25%
Document management
Storage, organisation
25%
Compliance & records
Fair Work, audit trail
20%
Ease of use
Setup, daily usability
Our testing process
- • Set up and tested end-to-end employee onboarding workflows
- • Created, sent, and signed digital employment contracts
- • Configured policy management and tracked acknowledgements
- • Tested licence and certification tracking with expiry alerts
- • Evaluated employee record storage and compliance documentation
HR software review scores — independent platforms
To validate our hands-on evaluation, we reviewed aggregated user sentiment across leading independent review platforms commonly used by Australian small businesses.
Rather than quoting raw star ratings (which vary by site), we normalised feedback into scores out of 10 based on overall sentiment, feature satisfaction, ease of use, support quality, and value for money.
HR software scores by review site (2026)
4.8
G2
4.3
Capterra
4.3
GetApp
4.3
Xero
4.9
4.1
G2
4.3
Capterra
4.4
GetApp
4.4
Xero
3.4
—
G2
4.3
Capterra
4.5
GetApp
4.5
Xero
—
—
G2
4.6
Capterra
4.6
GetApp
4.6
Xero
4.7
—
G2
4.6
Capterra
4.6
GetApp
4.6
Xero
4.0
| HR Software | Average | G2 | Capterra | GetApp | Xero App Store | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RosterElf HR | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.9 |
| Employment Hero | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 3.4 |
| BrightHR AU | 4.4 | — | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.5 | — |
| Connecteam | 4.6 | — | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 |
| Deputy | 4.5 | — | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.0 |
Scores normalised from platform ratings as of January 2026. "—" indicates platform not listed on that review site.
Our take: RosterElf leads with a 4.5 average including strong Google (4.8) and Xero App Store (4.9) ratings, where reviews come from verified users with no incentive programs. Connecteam (4.6) and Deputy (4.5) score well on G2/Capterra but lack Google reviews. Employment Hero's 4.1 average is pulled down by a 3.4 Xero rating. For Australian SMEs, we weight Xero and Google reviews more heavily as they reflect real user experience.
Core HR feature comparison — 2026
Here's how the leading HR platforms compare on the features that matter most for Australian small businesses:
Employee Onboarding
A guided, digital setup process that captures staff details and completes initial HR tasks.
Digital Employment Contracts
Ability to create or upload digital contract templates, send them to employees, and track acceptance.
Policy Management
Centralised repository for workplace policies with update distribution.
Policy Acknowledgement Tracking
Tracks which staff have read or acknowledged policies.
Licence & Certification Tracking
Stores qualifications/licenses against employee profiles; includes expiry data.
Automated Expiry Alerts
Sends reminders before certifications/licenses expire.
Centralised Digital HR Records
All documents and HR data stored in one place with search and access controls.
Self-Service Staff Portal
Employees can access their own contracts, policies and HR records via login.
Report Export / Auditing Tools
Ability to export HR reports and maintain audit trails for compliance.
Custom Workflow Automation
Automations like conditional triggers, approvals or multi-step HR flows.
Australian Compliance Support
Features aligned to Fair Work and local small business needs.
HR-Only Pricing Transparency
Clarity of pricing for "HR features only" (without rostering or payroll).
Ease of Use (Small Business)
General usability and intuitiveness for users without HR specialists.
| Feature | RosterElf HR | Employment Hero | BrightHR AU | Connecteam | Deputy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employee Onboarding A guided, digital setup process that captures staff details and completes initial HR tasks. | |||||
| Digital Employment Contracts Ability to create or upload digital contract templates, send them to employees, and track acceptance. | ⚠ Limited functionality | ||||
| Policy Management Centralised repository for workplace policies with update distribution. | ⚠ Limited functionality | ⚠ Limited functionality | |||
| Policy Acknowledgement Tracking Tracks which staff have read or acknowledged policies. | ⚠ Limited functionality | ||||
| Licence & Certification Tracking Stores qualifications/licenses against employee profiles; includes expiry data. | ⚠ Limited functionality | ⚠ Limited functionality | |||
| Automated Expiry Alerts Sends reminders before certifications/licenses expire. | ⚠ Limited functionality | ⚠ Limited functionality | |||
| Centralised Digital HR Records All documents and HR data stored in one place with search and access controls. | |||||
| Self-Service Staff Portal Employees can access their own contracts, policies and HR records via login. | |||||
| Report Export / Auditing Tools Ability to export HR reports and maintain audit trails for compliance. | |||||
| Custom Workflow Automation Automations like conditional triggers, approvals or multi-step HR flows. | ⚠ Limited functionality | ⚠ Limited functionality | ⚠ Limited functionality | ||
| Australian Compliance Support Features aligned to Fair Work and local small business needs. | ⚠ Limited functionality | ||||
| HR-Only Pricing Transparency Clarity of pricing for "HR features only" (without rostering or payroll). | ⚠ Limited functionality | ⚠ Limited functionality | |||
| Ease of Use (Small Business) General usability and intuitiveness for users without HR specialists. | |||||
| Full support | 12/13 | 11/13 | 10/13 | 8/13 | 6/13 |
✓ = Full support | ⚠ = Partial/limited support | Feature data based on hands-on testing. Last verified January 2026.
Our take: RosterElf HR Hub delivers full support across all 13 core HR features we tested — the only platform in this comparison to do so. Employment Hero and BrightHR each have partial support in 2–3 areas. Connecteam and Deputy, while strong in scheduling, show significant gaps in core HR features like digital contracts, policy management, and Australian compliance support. For small businesses wanting a complete HR toolkit, RosterElf stands out as the clear choice.
RosterElf HR Hub
Complete HR software for Australian SMEs. Digital onboarding, employment contracts, policy management, licence tracking and Fair Work compliance tools — all from $4/employee/month.
Best for Australian SMEs HR software assessment
RosterElf's HR Hub brings all essential HR tasks together in one platform. Digital onboarding captures staff details before their first shift, while employment contracts can be created, sent and signed electronically.
What sets RosterElf apart is the tight integration with rostering and time tracking. Employee data flows between systems with no duplicate entry. Policy management tracks acknowledgements, certification tracking sends expiry alerts, and the Workwise AI assistant provides instant guidance on Fair Work questions.
RosterElf HR Hub brings onboarding, contracts, policies and compliance together
Strengths
- GPS mobile clock-in with geofencing
- Photo verification prevents buddy punching
- Live attendance dashboard
- Automatic timesheet creation from clock data
- Award-compliant pay calculations
Limitations
- Less suited for 500+ employee enterprises
- No biometric hardware integrations
Employment Hero HR
Comprehensive HR platform with onboarding, contracts, policies and compliance features. Strong HR functionality but higher pricing and complexity compared to SME-focused alternatives.
Enterprise HR Platform HR software assessment
Employment Hero offers a full-featured HR suite covering onboarding, contracts, policies, and compliance. The platform includes digital employment contracts with e-signatures, policy distribution with acknowledgement tracking, and a central employee database.
The main considerations are pricing complexity and the learning curve. At $9–$29/user/month depending on tier, costs add up quickly for small teams. The platform is feature-rich but can feel overwhelming for businesses that just need core HR basics without enterprise-level complexity.
Employment Hero employee profile with HR data and documents
Strengths
- Comprehensive onboarding workflows
- Digital contracts with e-signatures
- Policy management and tracking
- Integrated payroll option
Limitations
- Higher pricing ($9–$29/user/month)
- Steeper learning curve
- Partial licence/certification tracking
- Complex tiered pricing structure
BrightHR Australia
UK-based HR software now available in Australia. Strong document management and absence tracking with a clean, user-friendly interface designed for small businesses.
HR software assessment
BrightHR offers a straightforward HR platform with strong document storage, absence management, and employee self-service. The interface is clean and intuitive, making it accessible for small business owners without HR expertise. Employee onboarding and policy acknowledgement tracking are included.
The main consideration for Australian businesses is that BrightHR originated in the UK market. While they've expanded to Australia, some features like award interpretation and local compliance tools aren't as mature as Australian-built alternatives. Licence tracking has partial functionality compared to dedicated solutions.
BrightHR employee profile with training records and certification tracking
Strengths
- Clean, user-friendly interface
- Strong document management
- Absence tracking and reporting
- Employee self-service portal
Limitations
- UK-centric — limited AU compliance
- Partial licence/certification tracking
- No Xero App Store integration
- Limited workflow automation
Connecteam HR
All-in-one employee app with HR features including onboarding, document management, training courses, and internal communications. Designed for deskless and mobile workforces.
Best for Deskless Teams HR software assessment
Connecteam's HR Hub includes digital onboarding workflows, document storage, training course creation, and an employee directory. The mobile-first approach works well for deskless workers who need to complete HR tasks from their phones. You can create custom onboarding checklists and track completion.
The main limitation for Australian small businesses is the lack of local compliance features. There's no Fair Work guidance, limited award interpretation, and no Xero App Store integration. The platform is US-focused, so Australian-specific HR requirements like superannuation and tax file declarations aren't natively supported.
Strengths
- Mobile-first HR for deskless teams
- Custom onboarding checklists
- Built-in training course builder
- Affordable flat-rate pricing
Limitations
- No Australian compliance features
- US-focused platform
- No Xero integration
- Limited contract/policy features
Deputy HR
Enterprise workforce management platform with HR add-ons for larger organisations. Offers employee onboarding, document storage, and compliance tracking as part of a broader scheduling suite.
Enterprise Platform HR software assessment
Deputy's HR features include employee onboarding workflows, digital document storage, and basic compliance tracking. The platform allows you to store employee certifications and set up onboarding checklists for new hires. Leave management integrates with the scheduling system.
The main consideration is that Deputy is primarily a scheduling and time tracking platform — HR features are secondary. For businesses that need deep HR functionality like digital contracts, policy acknowledgements, or Fair Work compliance tools, a dedicated HR platform will be more comprehensive. Pricing is also enterprise-focused, starting at $6/user/month with HR features requiring higher tiers.
Strengths
- Integrated with scheduling
- Employee document storage
- Onboarding checklists
- Multi-location support
Limitations
- HR is secondary to scheduling
- No digital contract signing
- Limited policy management
- Enterprise pricing structure
Best HR software by use case
Different businesses have different HR priorities. Here's what we'd recommend based on common scenarios:
Small businesses starting out
5-50 staff, basic HR needs
Small teams need simple onboarding, leave management, and centralised employee records without the complexity of enterprise systems. Look for intuitive interfaces and affordable pricing.
Our pick: RosterElf
Complete HR tools with onboarding, leave, and document management built-in.
Compliance-focused businesses
Contracts, policies, Fair Work
Businesses prioritising compliance need digital contracts, policy acknowledgement tracking, and audit-ready records. Look for platforms with strong document management and e-signatures.
Our pick: Employment Hero
Comprehensive compliance features with contracts, policies, and HR advice.
Deskless workforce
Field teams, hospitality, retail
Teams without regular computer access need mobile-first HR — onboarding on phones, training modules, and easy leave requests via app. Strong mobile experience is essential.
Our pick: Connecteam
Built for deskless teams with mobile training, forms, and HR tools.
Growing businesses
50-200+ staff, scaling HR
Scaling teams need structured onboarding workflows, performance management, and HR analytics. Look for platforms that grow with you without requiring enterprise-level budgets.
Our pick: BrightHR or Deputy
Both scale well with training, performance tools, and multi-location support.
How to choose HR software
1. Map your HR priorities
Start by listing what you actually need: onboarding, leave management, document storage, compliance tracking, or performance reviews? Most small businesses need core HR (onboarding, leave, documents) — performance management and learning can come later.
2. Prioritise Australian compliance
For Australian businesses, look for platforms that understand Fair Work requirements, offer Australian employment contract templates, and handle local leave entitlements correctly. International platforms often lack these essentials, leaving you to manage compliance manually.
3. Check the onboarding workflow
The best HR software lets new hires complete paperwork digitally before day one — contracts, tax forms, super choice, and policy acknowledgements. Walk through this process during any trial to see if it's genuinely self-service or requires admin hand-holding.
4. Evaluate total cost
Pricing structures vary significantly — some platforms charge extra for HR features, others bundle them into higher tiers. Calculate the total cost for your team size with all the features you actually need. Watch for add-on costs for things like e-signatures or document storage.
What is HR software?
HR software replaces paper-based employee records, manual onboarding processes, and scattered spreadsheets with a centralised digital system. At its core, the software manages employee information, handles onboarding, tracks leave, and stores important documents.
The platforms we've reviewed go well beyond basic record-keeping. Most offer digital onboarding workflows, document management, leave management, and compliance tracking — though implementation quality varies significantly.
Benefits of HR software
- Paperless onboarding — New hires complete contracts, tax forms, and policies digitally before day one
- Centralised records — All employee information in one secure, searchable location
- Compliance tracking — Monitor certifications, visa expiries, and policy acknowledgements automatically
- Self-service — Staff update their own details, request leave, and access payslips without admin involvement
- Audit trail — Digital records provide documentation for Fair Work compliance
HR software FAQ
- From what we've seen, RosterElf offers the strongest combination of onboarding, leave management, document storage, and compliance features for most Australian SMEs (5-200 staff). Employment Hero stands out if you need deeper compliance tools and HR advisory services. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your team size, HR complexity, and budget.
- We'd expect core HR software to include employee onboarding workflows, centralised employee records, leave management, and document storage. More comprehensive platforms add digital contracts, policy management, compliance tracking, and performance reviews. For Australian businesses, it's worth prioritising platforms that understand local employment law and Fair Work requirements.
- Many payroll platforms include basic HR features like employee records and leave tracking. In our experience, though, dedicated HR software offers noticeably deeper functionality — digital onboarding, contract management, compliance alerts, and document workflows. For businesses with more than 10-15 staff, dedicated HR tools typically pay for themselves in time saved.
- HR software pricing varies widely. Basic platforms start around $3-5 per employee per month, while comprehensive solutions can reach $10-15+ per employee. Some platforms bundle HR with rostering or payroll. We'd recommend calculating total cost for your team size with all the features you actually need — and watching for add-on charges for things like e-signatures or document storage.
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