Best Employee Scheduling Software for Australian Teams in 2023

Managing employee schedules can be a complex task, especially for Australian teams juggling different shifts, locations, and compliance requirements. Choosing the right employee scheduling software can save time, reduce errors, and improve team communication. This post explores some of the best employee scheduling software options available in Australia in 2023, helping you find the right fit for your team’s needs.

Why Employee Scheduling Software Matters

Scheduling employees manually or using spreadsheets often leads to mistakes, confusion, and wasted time. For Australian businesses, managing compliance with local labour laws and award conditions adds another layer of complexity. Good scheduling software helps by:

• Automating shift assignments and notifications

• Tracking employee availability and leave

• Ensuring compliance with Australian workplace regulations

• Allowing easy shift swaps and communication

• Providing real-time visibility into staffing levels

  
  

Using the best employee scheduling software can improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, and boost employee satisfaction.

Key Features to Look for in Scheduling Software

Before diving into specific tools, it’s important to understand what features matter most for Australian teams:

• Award interpretation and compliance: Software should support Australian awards and modern awards to ensure correct pay and conditions.

• Mobile access: Employees and managers need to view and update schedules on the go.

• Shift swapping and availability: Allowing employees to swap shifts or mark availability reduces scheduling conflicts.

• Integration with payroll and HR systems: Seamless data flow saves admin time and reduces errors.

• User-friendly interface: Both managers and employees should find the software easy to use.

• Reporting and analytics: Insights into labour costs, overtime, and attendance help optimise scheduling.

  
  

Top Employee Scheduling Software for Australian Teams

1. Deputy

Deputy is a popular choice among Australian businesses for its comprehensive features tailored to local needs. It supports award interpretation, rostering, time tracking, and payroll integration.

• Award compliance with automatic penalty rates

• Mobile app for employees to check schedules and swap shifts

• Real-time labour cost tracking

• Integration with major Australian payroll providers like Xero and MYOB

• Easy-to-use drag-and-drop roster builder

  
  

Deputy suits businesses of all sizes, from retail stores to hospitality venues.

2. Tanda

Tanda focuses on simplifying workforce management with strong compliance features for Australian awards and enterprise agreements.

• Automated award interpretation and pay rules

• Employee self-service app for shift swaps and availability

• Labour forecasting and budgeting tools

• Integration with payroll systems including QuickBooks and MYOB

• Detailed reporting on labour costs and productivity

  
  

Tanda is ideal for businesses needing robust compliance and forecasting tools.

3. When I Work

When I Work offers a straightforward scheduling solution with a focus on ease of use and communication.

• Simple shift scheduling and employee availability tracking

• Mobile app with push notifications for schedule changes

• Time clock and attendance tracking

• Basic compliance features suitable for smaller teams

• Integrates with popular payroll platforms

  
  

This software works well for small to medium Australian businesses looking for a user-friendly tool.

4. RosterElf

RosterElf is designed with Australian businesses in mind, offering award interpretation and compliance features.

• Automatic award calculations and penalty rates

• Employee availability and shift swapping via mobile app

• Labour cost tracking and budget management

• Integration with payroll systems like Xero and MYOB

• Customisable reports for compliance and performance

  
  

RosterElf fits well with hospitality, retail, and healthcare sectors.

5. Humanity

Humanity provides a scalable scheduling platform with strong automation and communication tools.

• Automated scheduling based on employee availability and skills

• Mobile app for shift management and communication

• Compliance with Australian labour laws and awards

• Payroll integration and detailed reporting

• Suitable for larger teams with complex scheduling needs

  
  

Humanity is a good choice for businesses with multiple locations or large workforces.

How to Choose the Right Software for Your Team

Selecting the best employee scheduling software depends on your team size, industry, and specific needs. Consider these steps:

• Identify your scheduling challenges and compliance requirements

• Test software demos or free trials to assess usability

• Check integration options with your existing payroll and HR systems

• Evaluate customer support and training resources

• Compare pricing plans based on features and number of users

  
  

Involving your team in the decision can also improve adoption and satisfaction.

Benefits of Using Scheduling Software in Australian Workplaces

Australian workplaces face unique challenges such as award compliance, diverse shift patterns, and remote work arrangements. Using scheduling software helps by:

• Reducing scheduling errors and disputes

• Ensuring fair and legal pay for all shifts

• Improving communication between managers and staff

• Saving time on manual scheduling tasks

• Providing data to optimise labour costs and productivity

  
  

These benefits contribute to a smoother operation and happier employees.