What is the best rostering & HR software for Australian businesses?

For most Australian SMEs (5-200 staff), RosterElf offers the best balance of features, pricing, and local support. For large enterprises with 500+ staff or multi-country operations, Deputy may be more suitable despite higher costs. The best choice depends on your team size, industry, and specific compliance needs.

How much does rostering software cost in Australia?

Pricing typically ranges from $6-15 per user per month. RosterElf starts at $6/user/month on annual plans, Deputy from $9.75/user/month plus add-ons. Some platforms like Connecteam offer flat-rate pricing ($35/month for up to 30 users). Always check what features are included — some platforms charge extra for essential features like HR tools or advanced reporting.

What features should I look for in rostering software?

Key features for Australian businesses include: award interpretation (critical for compliance), Xero/MYOB integration, GPS clock-in, shift swap management, mobile apps for staff, and leave management. For hospitality and healthcare, look for certificate tracking (RSA, food safety, etc.). Prioritise platforms with Australian-based support who understand local compliance requirements.

Does rostering software handle Australian award rates?

Most Australian-focused platforms (RosterElf, Deputy) include award interpretation that automatically calculates penalty rates, overtime, and allowances. Verify the platform supports your specific award — common ones include Hospitality Award, Retail Award, SCHADS, and Nurses Award. International platforms like Connecteam typically lack this functionality.

How does rostering software help with Fair Work compliance?

Rostering software helps with Fair Work compliance by: automatically applying correct award rates, tracking overtime and break requirements, maintaining accurate time records, managing leave balances, and generating compliant payroll exports. This reduces the risk of underpayment claims and simplifies audits.

How long does it take to switch rostering software?

Most businesses complete a switch within 1-2 weeks. The process typically involves: exporting staff data from your current system, importing into the new platform, setting up award rules and pay rates, and training managers. Platforms like RosterElf offer free onboarding support to help with the transition.

Can I import my staff list from another platform?

Yes, most rostering platforms support CSV imports for staff data. Export your employee list from your current system, map the columns to the new platform's format, and upload. RosterElf, Deputy, and Connecteam all support bulk staff imports.

BUYING GUIDE

Best rostering software Australia 2026

We tested the top rostering platforms on features, pricing, Australian compliance, and support quality. Here's how they stack up for SMEs.

Last updated: January 2026 · Based on hands-on testing and verified user reviews

Top 3 rostering software for australian businesses

Our top picks based on business size and needs

BEST FOR SMES

RosterElf

Australian-built with local support, simple setup, and strong Xero integration. Best value for 5-200 staff.

View details

BEST FOR ENTERPRISE

Deputy

Comprehensive features for large teams and multi-country operations. Higher cost but more scalable.

View details

BEST BUDGET OPTION

Connecteam

Affordable flat-rate pricing with free plan available. Limited Australian compliance features.

View details

METHODOLOGY

How we tested rostering software

We tested each platform by creating accounts, building rosters, setting up award interpretation, and evaluating integrations. We also analysed verified reviews from the Xero App Store and Google.

25%

Compliance

Award interpretation, Fair Work

25%

Ease of use

Setup time, daily usability

20%

Value

Pricing, hidden costs

15%

Support

Response times, onboarding

15%

Integrations

Xero, MYOB, other tools

Best rostering software compared

Top pick for Australian businesses

RosterElf

Best for Australian SMEs

Purpose-built for Australian businesses with native award interpretation, Xero/MYOB integration, and local support. Ideal for hospitality, healthcare, and retail with 5-200 staff.

9.2 /10

Starting at

$6/user

Xero rating

4.89/5

Best for

5-200 staff

Free trial

15 days

Strengths

Australian-based support team
Simple award interpretation setup
Strong Xero App Store ratings (4.89/5)
Free onboarding and training
All features included in base price

Limitations

Less suited for 500+ employee enterprises
Fewer third-party integrations than Deputy

Start free trial See customer reviews View features

8.3/10

Best for large enterprises

Global workforce management platform with comprehensive features. Strong for multi-country operations and large enterprises, but pricing complexity and support responsiveness are common concerns.

From $9.75/user/month + add-ons

Xero: 4.0/5 (143 reviews)

Pros

Comprehensive feature set
Strong multi-country support
Large integration marketplace

Cons

Complex pricing with required add-ons
Support response times vary
Overkill for small businesses

Read review Compare

7.2/10

Best budget option

All-in-one employee app with rostering, communication, and training. Strong value for budget-conscious businesses, but Australian compliance features are limited.

From $35/month (up to 30 users)

Xero: 4.7/5

Pros

Affordable for small teams
Strong communication features
Employee training tools

Cons

Limited Australian award support
Xero sync issues reported
Less suited for complex rostering

Read review

6.2/10

HR platform with rostering

Full-suite HR and payroll platform with rostering add-on. Strong for businesses prioritising HR compliance and payroll, though rostering UX is less polished than dedicated platforms.

From $9/user/month (HR Standard)

Xero: 3.4/5 (15 reviews)

Pros

Comprehensive HR and payroll
Strong Australian compliance
All-in-one platform potential

Cons

Rostering not the primary focus
Complex module pricing
Support responsiveness varies

Read review

More platforms (reviews coming soon)

Zenshifts

Rostering platform

RotaWiz

Scheduling software

KeyPay

Payroll-first platform

Sentrient

Compliance platform

BrightHR

People management

#10

BambooHR

HR software

#11

Microkeeper

Time & attendance

Which rostering software is right for you?

Our recommendations based on your business type

Recommended

RosterElf

Best for Australian SMEs

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

5-200 staff View details

Deputy

Best for large enterprises

Better choice for large enterprises or multi-country operations who need extensive integrations and are willing to pay premium pricing.

500+ staff View details

Connecteam

Best budget option

Solid basic rostering at an affordable flat rate. Best when budget is your primary concern and Australian award compliance isn't critical.

Budget-first View details

View detailed comparisons

Our review methodology

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

FAQ

Rostering software FAQs

Common questions about choosing rostering software in Australia

For most Australian SMEs (5-200 staff), RosterElf offers the best balance of features, pricing, and local support. For large enterprises with 500+ staff or multi-country operations, Deputy may be more suitable despite higher costs. The best choice depends on your team size, industry, and specific compliance needs.
Pricing typically ranges from $6-15 per user per month. RosterElf starts at $6/user/month on annual plans, Deputy from $9.75/user/month plus add-ons. Some platforms like Connecteam offer flat-rate pricing ($35/month for up to 30 users). Always check what features are included — some platforms charge extra for essential features like HR tools or advanced reporting.
Key features for Australian businesses include: award interpretation (critical for compliance), Xero/MYOB integration, GPS clock-in, shift swap management, mobile apps for staff, and leave management. For hospitality and healthcare, look for certificate tracking (RSA, food safety, etc.). Prioritise platforms with Australian-based support who understand local compliance requirements.

Ready to simplify your rostering?

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4.8 stars by 1,570 users

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