Compare Payroll Software in Australia

Payroll software automates the process of paying employees, calculating PAYG withholding, superannuation, leave accruals, and reporting to the ATO via Single Touch Payroll (STP). It replaces manual calculations and reduces the risk of compliance errors.

Costs range from $0 (Xero Payroll, included with a Xero subscription) to $4 to $6 per employee per month (KeyPay), $6/emp (QuickBooks Payroll), $12/mo base plus $2/emp (MYOB), and up to $29/emp/mo (Deel, Remote) for global payroll. Most providers charge per employee, so your total cost depends on team size.

Award interpretation automatically calculates the correct pay rates based on AU Modern Awards, including penalty rates, casual loading, overtime, and allowances. Getting awards wrong can lead to underpayments, Fair Work audits, and from January 2025, criminal penalties. KeyPay and Employment Hero are rated best for automated award interpretation.

From July 2026, Australian employers must pay superannuation at the same time as employee wages (instead of quarterly). This is called Payday Super. Choose payroll software that is confirmed Payday Super ready to avoid compliance issues.

Xero includes basic payroll in all plans from June 2025 at no extra cost. MYOB offers payroll from $12/mo. However, if you have complex award requirements (hospitality, healthcare, retail with penalty rates), you may need a specialist like KeyPay or Employment Hero for accurate award interpretation, even if you use Xero or MYOB for accounting.

Local payroll (KeyPay, Xero Payroll, MYOB) handles AU employees and compliance only. Global payroll (Deel, Remote, Rippling) lets you hire and pay employees in multiple countries, handling local tax, compliance, and employment law for each country. Global payroll costs more ($29/emp/mo vs $4 to $6/emp/mo) but is essential if you have international team members.

Yes, but it requires careful planning. You need to transfer year-to-date pay data, leave balances, and super obligations. Most providers offer migration support. The cleanest time to switch is at the start of a new financial year (1 July) or a new quarter. Your accountant can help ensure a smooth transition.

For simple payroll (fewer than 5 employees, single award), Xero Payroll is hard to beat since it is included free with Xero. For businesses with complex awards or multiple employee types, KeyPay ($4 to $6/emp/mo) offers best-in-class award interpretation. For international teams, Deel provides global payroll in 150+ countries. Use our comparison tool to find the best fit for your team size and requirements.