For Australian SMBs, choosing cloud payroll means matching employee limits, accounting needs and ongoing costs. For Australian small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), choosing the right cloud payroll solutions means balancing employee limits, accounting integrations, compliance requirements and ongoing costs. The best option depends on your workforce size, payroll complexity and existing accounting software.
MYOB is our top pick for straightforward payroll, with a separate accounting-plus-payroll option for growing businesses.
The alternatives below suit different accounting systems and workforce needs.
Key Takeaways
- MYOB is our top pick for straightforward payroll, with standalone and accounting-plus-payroll options.
- Xero Payroll suits businesses already using Xero accounting.
- Employment Hero Payroll suits award-related complexity, subject to its ten-user minimum.
- QuickBooks Payroll adds payroll to QuickBooks Online, with separate subscription charges.
- Payroller offers free mobile payroll for one person; paid plans have minimum charges.
How we Picked Best Cloud Payroll Solutions
We reviewed Australian vendor documentation and available review evidence as at 12 October 2026, without running live payroll.
We compared local reporting, calculations, employee self-service, accounting connections, award tools, headcount limits, regular costs and super-payment workflows.
Prices are regular AUD rates, excluding introductory offers. Confirm GST treatment for all providers except Xero, which explicitly includes GST.
The ATO states that Payday Super began on 1 July 2026.
Contributions generally must reach employees' funds within seven business days, with extended timeframes in specified circumstances.
Check your own obligations before relying on a vendor's payment workflow.
MYOB
MYOB pros
- Automated PAYG, super and leave calculations
- STP reporting within payroll
- MYOB Team mobile employee onboarding
- Employee mobile access to payslips, rosters and leave requests
- Timesheets that feed directly into pay runs
- Business Pro adds invoicing, income and expense tracking, and reporting
MYOB cons
- Payroll Only caps at four employees and excludes Pro's accounting tools
- Business Pro adds a per-employee payroll charge
Why we picked MYOB
We put MYOB first for straightforward payroll, employee self-service and a route to connected accounting.
Its documented calculations and timesheet support make it a compelling fit for owner-managers.
Confirm feature availability for your subscription, check payroll setup and review award obligations.
The broader MYOB listing scores 3.7/5 on G2 from 48 reviews, covering the whole range rather than payroll alone.
MYOB pricing
Payroll Only is A$15 per month for browser-based payroll covering up to four employees.
Business Pro is A$70 per month plus A$3 per employee per month, with no listed employee cap.
That gives small employers a choice between payroll-only costs and a broader accounting subscription.
Xero Payroll
Xero Payroll pros
- Payroll sits within Xero's accounting subscriptions
- Pay, tax, super and leave calculations; STP Phase 2 reporting
- Xero Me provides payslips, leave requests and timesheets
Xero Payroll cons
- Employee allowances vary by subscription
- Published award rates still need checking
Why we picked Xero Payroll
For existing Xero customers, payroll sits alongside the accounts they already maintain. That makes subscription allowances a key buying question.
Its 19 June 2026 update confirmed bulk award-rate updates and qualifying-earnings review tools were live.
These helpers do not replace checking award obligations with a specialist when needed.
Xero Payroll pricing
Grow costs A$78 per month for two people, Comprehensive A$107 for five, and Ultimate 10 A$143 for ten.
These regular accounting subscriptions include payroll allowances and GST.
Check your required headcount before choosing a tier; they are not standalone payroll prices.
Employment Hero Payroll
Employment Hero Payroll pros
- Pre-built award interpretation and pay rules
- Employee self-service and native HR integration
- Optional embedded HeroClear super clearing
Employment Hero Payroll cons
- Ten-user subscription minimum
- Rostering and time-and-attendance are separate from basic timesheets
- Managed Payroll costs extra
Why we picked Employment Hero Payroll
We picked Employment Hero for teams where award complexity shapes payroll requirements.
Unlimited pay runs and automated tax calculations support routine processing, while HeroClear migration remains optional.
Its company profile scores 3.9/5 on Trustpilot from 642 reviews, spanning products and regions rather than Australian payroll alone.
Review award-related payroll requirements before configuring pay rules.
Employment Hero Payroll pricing
Payroll is included in Employment Unlimited, a custom-priced plan with a ten-user minimum, so request a written quote for your headcount.
Managed Payroll is an optional add-on at A $400 monthly minimum. Confirm which workforce features your quote includes.
QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll pros
- Payroll connects to QuickBooks Online
- Advanced adds modern-award interpretation, rostering, time-and-attendance and a pay-conditions engine
QuickBooks Payroll cons
- The accounting subscription costs extra
- Standard excludes award interpretation and rostering
Why we picked QuickBooks Payroll
Australian QuickBooks Payroll is powered by Employment Hero. We picked it for businesses that want payroll connected to their existing QuickBooks Online accounts.
The choice between Standard and Advanced matters if you need award interpretation or workforce scheduling.
Ask for a demonstration of the relevant Advanced features before paying for that tier.
QuickBooks Payroll pricing
Standard costs A$6 per employee per month, plus the QuickBooks Online subscription. We could not verify current Advanced pricing, so request a quote before committing.
Compare the combined accounting and payroll cost rather than the per-employee charge alone. Confirm GST treatment and billing details in the written quote.
Payroller
Payroller pros
- Free mobile payroll for one person
- PAYG, super and tax calculations; employee payslips and leave requests
- Standard includes web access and Xero integration
Payroller cons
- Free mobile use excludes multi-person payroll
- Paid plans have minimum charges
- Super-clearing fees need confirmation
Why we picked Payroller
We picked Payroller for micro-businesses needing payroll without an accounting suite.
Its pricing page includes Payday Super in all plans, but the app footnote flags fees for integrated contributions; confirm the entitlement.
It scores 3.8/5 on Capterra from six reviews, too small a sample to guide a purchase.
Payroller pricing
Standard costs A$5.50 per employee per month, with an A$22 monthly minimum.
Annual billing is equivalent to A$3.99 per employee per month, with an A$15.96 monthly-equivalent minimum.
Timesheets and Rosters is separately packaged. Check the minimum spend against your current headcount.
Conclusion
Among the cloud payroll solutions reviewed, MYOB is our top pick for Australian SMBs seeking straightforward payroll processing, employee self-service and an option to connect payroll with accounting tools.
This is an editorial fit judgement, rather than a claim about the highest review score or lowest price.
Xero Payroll suits existing Xero customers, while Employment Hero Payroll warrants consideration for award-related complexity.
Before committing, obtain a quote at your actual headcount and confirm the employee self-service, award and super-payment functions included in that subscription.
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