Employment Hero Alternatives Compared: What Australian Businesses Should Consider
While Employment Hero is a well-known platform, it’s not the only option. Below is a structured comparison of leading Employment Hero competitors for Australian businesses evaluating their next human resource management system.
What to Look for in an Employment Hero Alternative
Before assessing vendors, clarify your evaluation criteria:
1. Australian Compliance Requirements
Your HR platform must operationalise Fair Work, Modern Awards, superannuation, STP reporting, and privacy legislation. Compliance should be embedded into workflows, not reliant on manual oversight.
2. End-to-End Recruitment and Applicant Tracking
A competitive system includes a fully integrated applicant tracking system that manages job posting, candidate pipelines, interview collaboration, and offer documentation.
3. Structured Onboarding Workflows
Digital onboarding workflows should automate contracts, policies, training enrolments, and compliance documentation, ensuring new hires are productive from day one.
4. Performance Management and Engagement
Modern performance management tools support continuous feedback, structured reviews, goal alignment, and workforce analytics. Integrated employee engagement tools such as pulse surveys and recognition systems strengthen retention.
5. Learning and Development Capability
A built-in learning management system supports compliance training, professional development, and policy awareness without requiring third-party systems.
6. Leave Management and Workforce Visibility
Effective Leave management should automate accruals, approvals, compliance tracking, and integration with payroll or rostering systems.
Leading Employment Hero Competitors in Australia
1. Sentrient – Australian-Built HRMS
Sentrient offers a fully integrated Human Resource Management System designed specifically for Australian conditions.
Key Capabilities:
Integrated recruitment module with applicant tracking system
Automated onboarding workflows
Structured performance management
Built-in learning management system
Comprehensive Leave management
Embedded Australian compliance requirements
Unlike international platforms retrofitted for Australia, Sentrient is built locally, meaning Modern Award interpretation, Fair Work updates, and superannuation complexities are core features.
Its consolidated approach reduces the need for multiple point solutions, delivering recruitment, onboarding, learning, and engagement within a single ecosystem.
Best suited for: Australian SMEs to mid-sized enterprises prioritising compliance, integration, and predictable pricing.
2. BrightHR – Accessible SME Option
BrightHR offers simplified HR functionality for small businesses.
Core Features:
Leave management and absence tracking
Document management
Basic onboarding workflows
HR advice services
While accessible and competitively priced, Australian businesses must confirm alignment with Australian compliance requirements.
Best suited for: Small businesses transitioning from spreadsheets to structured HR systems.
3. Breezy HR – Recruitment Specialist
Breezy HR excels in recruitment with a sophisticated applicant tracking system.
Strengths:
Job board distribution
Candidate pipeline management
Automated screening
Interview collaboration
Its onboarding workflows are functional but not as comprehensive as full HRMS platforms.
Best suited for: Organisations where recruitment is the primary operational challenge.
4. EnableHR – Compliance-First HR Platform
EnableHR differentiates itself by embedding workplace relations expertise within its system.
Highlights:
Case management for employee relations
Policy and document automation
Core recruitment and onboarding
Employee engagement tools
Compliance documentation and audit trails are strong, making it appealing to organisations operating in regulated industries.
Best suited for: Businesses prioritising industrial relations and risk mitigation.
5. BambooHR – User-Focused HR Platform
BambooHR is recognised globally for usability and employee self-service.
Strengths:
Clean applicant tracking system
Streamlined onboarding workflows
Core performance management tools
Mobile-friendly Leave management
However, as a US-based system, Australian businesses must assess how effectively it supports Australian compliance requirements. Configuration may be required to align with local legislation.
Best suited for: Organisations prioritising user experience over deep local compliance automation.
6. HiBob (Bob) – Culture and Engagement Focused
HiBob blends traditional HR with advanced employee engagement tools.
Capabilities:
Onboarding workflows
Performance management
Workforce analytics
Engagement and recognition features
Its modern interface supports distributed teams, though compliance depth in Australia requires validation.
Best suited for: Growth-stage companies prioritising culture and engagement.
7. Rippling – Integrated HR, IT and Finance
Rippling combines HR, IT provisioning, and finance operations.
HR Features:
Recruitment
Onboarding workflows
Performance management
Payroll integration
While powerful, Australian compliance requirements must be carefully evaluated given its US-centric framework.
Best suited for: Tech-forward organisations wanting cross-functional automation.
8. Sage Group (Sage HR) – Established Provider
Sage HR integrates recruitment, Leave management, and performance tools within Sage’s broader ecosystem.
Advantages:
Recruitment and applicant tracking
Shift scheduling
Seamless integration with Sage payroll
Robust reporting
Best suited for: Businesses already operating within the Sage accounting environment.
9. ELMO Software – Enterprise-Grade HR Technology
ELMO delivers a modular Human Resource Management System with strong compliance credentials in Australia.
Modules Include:
Recruitment and applicant tracking system
Learning management system
Performance management
Leave management
Payroll integration
ELMO’s strength lies in scalability and enterprise reporting capability, making it attractive to mid-to-large organisations.
Best suited for: Larger enterprises requiring modular expansion and advanced workforce analytics.
10. Happy HR – Engagement-Led HR
HappyHR combines core HR functionality with employee engagement tools such as pulse surveys and recognition systems.
It supports Leave management, performance reviews, and onboarding while maintaining compliance awareness for Australian workplaces.
Best suited for: Businesses prioritising workplace culture and engagement.
11. Wageloch – Payroll-Connected HR
Wageloch integrates payroll and HR within an Australian regulatory framework.
Focus Areas:
Leave management
Rostering
Superannuation handling
STP reporting
Its alignment with Australian payroll complexity is a core advantage.
Best suited for: Businesses prioritising payroll accuracy alongside HR functionality.
12. Breathe HR – SME Simplicity
Breathe HR focuses on straightforward HR administration, including employee records, Leave management, and performance management.
Australian compliance configuration requires assessment due to its UK origins.
Best suited for: Smaller teams with simple workforce structures.
Selecting the Right Employment Hero Competitor
Choosing a Human Resource Management System requires structured evaluation:
Identify whether recruitment, compliance, onboarding or engagement is your primary pain point.
Validate embedded Australian compliance requirements rather than assuming adaptability.
Assess total cost of ownership, including implementation and training.
Trial applicant tracking system workflows and onboarding workflows with real scenarios.
Test mobile functionality for Leave management and approvals.
Final Considerations
The Australian HR software market is mature and competitive. Employment Hero is one option among many capable platforms.
If your priority is a locally developed system with integrated recruitment, performance management, learning management system capability, and deep alignment with Australian compliance requirements, platforms such as Sentrient merit close review.
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