There is no need to stress! e-PayDay Go Award-centric payroll software ensures you effortlessly comply with Payday Super requirements and the Fair Work Voluntary Wage Compliance Code.
Are you looking for the top 10 Single Touch Payroll software in Australia (2026)?
Author
Brett Reed is the Founder and Managing Director at e-PayDay Pty Ltd, a leading Australian payroll software provider. With more than four decades of experience in payroll technology, Brett has guided thousands of businesses through compliance changes, including the rollout of Single Touch Payroll (STP). Thanks to his visionary leadership, e-PayDay proudly achieved a milestone on July 6, 2017, by submitting the very first STP file processed by the Australian Taxation Office!
Why is this Top Payroll Software List any different to others?
While looking at resources like "Top Payroll Software" lists, it's important to be aware that many of these are designed primarily for search engine optimisation and AI visibility rather than impartial evaluation. This frequently results in the "Best Payroll Software" being the vendor that published the list on their own website. You should also consider that some lists only feature payroll software vendors that have paid for inclusion.
This list features the most visible payroll software products relevant to specific markets. The position of each product on the list is determined by ratings and reviews provided by software users.
Finding the best payroll solution for your needs involves many factors, and it is not an easy task.
What are your requirements?
Identifying your requirements is imperative. Start off by identifying the features and functionality you need.
Are all the Fair Work Modern Awards, ATO Tax Treatments and Income Streams included?
Do you need,
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Cost Centres,
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Accounting Integration,
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Data Import and Export capability,
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Employee Onboarding,
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and Employee Self Service (ESS), for example.
Start your journey with a detailed list of your needs before you do anything else.
What is the size of the business?
Determining payroll features can be particularly complex, especially when it comes to meeting Fair Work and ATO requirements. If specific essential features are missing, you might discover later that your system lacks must-have payroll functionality. Be cautious of marketing claims that oversimplify payroll management; it is not as straightforward as often presented. However, when a payroll system complies with legislative requirements and is properly configured, it can significantly streamline your processes and deliver numerous cost and time-saving benefits.
What is your budget?
What is your budget and expectations? Are you looking for a free or low-cost option, or are you willing to invest in a more comprehensive solution? Check that the products you have shortlisted within your budget offer the ability to evaluate the features and functionality before committing to a subscription. Do they also offer the capability to scale to your business needs, and do you have to pay per employee, or is there a tiered pricing model? Some systems confuse being able to compare like-for-like by referring to "users" and not employees (payees). And most importantly, check if there are there hidden fees and charges,
Always ask what payroll support is provided.
After addressing all your needs, the final and most important step is to consider the support offered by the provider. Always ensure that telephone support is available. While there are various communication methods, the best option for assistance is the ability to speak directly with a real person rather than an AI chatbot. Additionally, check whether your chosen provider is a member of any industry associations and how they interact with Fair Work and the Australian Taxation Office to ensure compliance with the often complex requirements.
What is a simple way to compare payroll products in Australia?
As you begin the process of selecting the right payroll solution to meet your needs, you may have thought about consulting a comparison table. Ideally, you would expect to find a resource that provides a clear and informative overview to help narrow down your options. However, you may have experienced a frustrating lack of substantial information to aid in this critical decision-making process.
When looking for representation in the payroll industry, the following sources may provide useful information.
Look for genuine reviews and ratings of payroll software.
Search results can be challenging because some payroll software vendors create biased reviews of their competitors' products for SEO purposes to improve their rankings. We have utilised prominent and trusted review sources, such as Trustpilot, Capterra, and ProductReview.com.au, to determine the ratings whenever possible. If a Trustpilot rating is unavailable, we have relied on the ratings from Capterra or ProductReview, whichever has the highest number of reviews and the most recent feedback. We have not aggregated the ratings from all the available sources.
Pricing does not include special introductory offers, and some vendors have a minimum monthly subscription cost for fewer employees.
Are you sure of what Awards cover your employees?
All the Fair Work Modern Awards and Classifications are included, and you can easily access the Pay and Conditions Tool (P.A.C.T.) within e-PayDay Go®, allowing you to manage your Fair Work compliance obligations confidently.
The Modern Awards, delivered in real time and sourced directly from the Fair Work Commission, assist in ensuring you can confidently and efficiently meet the Fair Work Ombudsman compliance obligations. If you have fewer than 15 employees, refer to the Voluntary Small Business Wage Compliance Code.
Micro
Businesses
Pay up to 3 employees 100% free or a 30-day trial for more, with every Fair Work Award included!
General Retail Industry
Includes the General Retail Industry Award [MA000004]
Horticulture Industry
Includes the Horticulture Award [MA000028]
Pastoral
Industry
Includes the Pastoral Award [MA000035]
Vehicle
Industry
Includes the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award [MA000089]
Working Holiday Makers
All the Fair Work Ombudsman Modern Awards are included, making it easy to employ WHM's.
Hospitality Industry
Includes the Hospitality Industry (General) Award [MA000009]
Transport
Industry
Includes the Road Transport and Distribution Award [MA000038]
Shearers and Crutchers
Includes the Pastoral Award [MA000035]
Every Fair Work Modern Award
Every Fair Work Modern Award is included and updated in real time.
What is the best payroll in Australia?
The best payroll system in Australia is the one that perfectly aligns with your business needs and priorities. Choose a solution that streamlines your payroll processes, enhances overall efficiency, and improves employee satisfaction.
Look for a scalable payroll solution that helps ensure compliance as your business grows.
Since 1987, e-PayDay has offered one of the best scalable payroll software solutions for effectively supporting compliance with the Australian Taxation Office and Fair Work.
We focus specifically on assisting employers with their Fair Work compliance obligations and Australian Taxation Office requirements. Every Fair Work Modern Award, Classification, ATO Tax Treatments and Income Stream Collections are included, providing comprehensive employee coverage. Template Pay Types are supplied for Pay Rates, Allowances and Deductions.
e-PayDay delivers comprehensive, Single Touch Payroll solutions designed to meet the needs of any business while also placing special focus on the unique requirements of specific industries, making us one of the top 10 payroll software providers in Australia.
