ClockOn Review 2026: Pricing, AU Payroll, Features, Pros, and Cons

ClockOn is a cloud-based payroll, HR, and workforce management platform designed specifically for the Australian market. [01] [02] [03] The software is strongest at automating local compliance, featuring native Fair Work award interpretation and seamless Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting directly to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). [15] [18] [19] It is particularly well-suited for micro, small, and mid-sized shift-based businesses in industries like healthcare, retail, and hospitality that need to manage complex penalty rates and overtime calculations. [04] [05] [06] [32]

A notable strength of ClockOn is its multi-entity architecture, which natively supports multiple Australian Business Numbers (ABNs) under a single operational structure without data contamination. [30] For businesses seeking a hands-off approach, the vendor also offers a fully managed Outsourced Payroll Service (OPS). [36]

Buyers should note that ClockOn is strictly engineered for Australia and does not support global payroll or international deployment. [33] Additionally, third-party user reviews indicate that the software has a steep learning curve and complex initial setup, often requiring assisted onboarding or training to navigate effectively. [31] Overall, ClockOn is a strong shortlist candidate for Australian SMBs seeking tightly integrated rostering and award-compliant payroll, provided they utilize the vendor's implementation support. [27]

ClockOn is an Australian software provider that offers cloud-based payroll, time tracking, rostering, and HR modules. [02] Founded in 2000, the platform is designed to connect employee timesheet data directly to payroll, automatically calculating taxes, superannuation, and overtime based on local Fair Work award conditions. [01] [14]

In addition to its self-service software platform (ClockOn Payroll & HR), the vendor provides an Outsourced Payroll Service (OPS) for businesses that prefer a fully managed payroll solution. [35] [36] Both offerings are strictly focused on Australian regulatory compliance, including ATO STP phase 2 filing. [15]

Best for

• Australian shift-based SMBs: The platform's powerful native award interpretation and unified rostering-to-payroll flow make it highly effective for businesses managing complex shift schedules and penalty rates. [32]
• Micro and small businesses: ClockOn offers a free Starter Package for businesses with up to 20 employees, making it a highly accessible entry point for low-volume STP submissions. [04] [05] [37]
• Multi-entity organizations: The software natively supports multiple ABNs under one unified structure without data contamination, fitting holding companies and bookkeeping agencies. [30]

Good fit for

• Mid-market Australian businesses (SMBs): ClockOn provides volume discounts and handles multi-site rostering suitable for organizations with up to 200 employees. [06]

Not ideal for

• Global or non-Australian companies: ClockOn is explicitly engineered for the Australian market and does not support multi-country global payroll or Employer of Record (EOR) capabilities. [33]
• Large enterprises: The platform is specifically targeted at small to medium businesses; its interface and capabilities are not positioned for enterprise-scale deployment. [07]

Buyers should verify first

• Initial setup complexity: User reviews note a steep learning curve, so buyers should confirm the level of onboarding support included in their plan. [31]
• Outsourced payroll costs: While the base fee for the managed service is public, the per-payslip cost relies on third-party data and should be verified directly via a quote. [41]

ClockOn Payroll & HR

The core cloud-based software platform combining rostering, time and attendance, HR, and payroll. [02] [35] It targets micro to mid-sized businesses and automates pay runs based on timesheet data and award interpretation. [13] [14]

ClockOn Outsourced Payroll Service (OPS)

A fully managed payroll service where ClockOn handles award compliance, STP reporting, and payroll processing. [36] [40] This service includes a dedicated payroll team and employee self-service access. [28]

HRIS and people operations

Payroll

ClockOn uses a mix of public per-employee pricing for its software and a base-plus-usage model for its outsourced services. [38] [40] [41]

Software packages

• Starter Package: $0. Free payroll and STP for up to 12 months or 27 STP submissions, supporting a maximum of 20 employees. Includes payroll and STP reporting but excludes rostering and HR management. [37]
• Standard Package: Starts at $2.45 per employee per month (billed annually). Includes time tracking, the mobile app, payroll, award interpretation, STP, and compliance. Excludes rostering and HR. [38] Note: A third-party source lists this at $2.10/mo, but the vendor officially publishes $2.45/mo. Buyers should verify the exact rate. [46]
• Pro Package: Starts at $7.00 per employee per month (billed annually). Adds rostering, HR management, a manager portal, onboarding, document storage, WHS, and work rights checks. [39]

Outsourced Payroll Service (OPS)

• Base Fee: Starts at $150 per month with no lock-in contracts. [40]
• Per-Payslip Fee: The vendor states they use a pay-per-payslip model on top of the base fee. Third-party review data explicitly lists this fee at $6.50 per payslip, though buyers must request a direct quote to confirm final pricing. [41]

Add-ons

• Rostering Software: $1.25 per employee per month (annual billing) or $1.40 (monthly billing). Included in the Pro plan but available as an add-on for lower tiers. [42]
• Xero Integration: $1.25 per employee per month (annual billing). [43]
• MYOB Integration: $1.25 per employee per month (annual billing). [44]
• Phone Support: Local Australian phone support is available for $19.75 per user per month, requiring a minimum 6-month term. [45]

ClockOn natively supports local payroll processing in Australia. [13] The system automates calculations by reading timesheet clock-data and applying specific Fair Work award rules for overtime, penalties, and superannuation. [14] [19] The platform also handles statutory reporting, including WGEA and EOFY compliance reports, and lodges data directly to the ATO via an STP wizard. [15] [17]

ClockOn’s compliance capabilities are highly localized to Australian labor and tax laws.

• ATO Compliance: The platform includes an STP wizard to lodge payroll directly to the ATO. [18]
• Labor Law Compliance: Features a powerful rule-engine to automate payroll interpretation and award-aware rostering, factoring in Fair Work penalties, overtime triggers, and allowances. [19]

ClockOn provides structured implementation services, particularly for its Outsourced Payroll Service. [27] The setup and onboarding process typically includes parallel pay runs and scheduled training sessions. [27] Businesses using the managed service gain access to Australian-based payroll experts. [28]

For software users, local Australian phone support is available, but it is treated as a paid add-on ($19.75 per user per month) and requires a 6-month minimum commitment. [45]

Based on third-party review data from TrustRadius, users generally appreciate the software's compliance capabilities but frequently note a steep learning curve. [31] Reviewers state that the software setup and interface can be complex and non-intuitive initially, often requiring outside assistance or training to navigate effectively. [31]

Before purchasing ClockOn, buyers should verify:

• Total cost of ownership: Calculate the final price including potential add-ons for rostering, Xero/MYOB integration, and phone support. [42] [43] [45]
• Outsourced pricing: If opting for the managed service, confirm the exact per-payslip fee on top of the base monthly rate. [41]
• Implementation needs: Assess whether your team has the capacity to handle the setup or if you will need to purchase guided onboarding, given the reported learning curve. [31]
• Geographic scope: Confirm that all employees to be paid are based in Australia, as the platform does not support international payroll. [33]

• Overall page confidence score: 85/100
• Number of sources: 13
• Number of vendor-owned sources: 11
• Number of third-party sources: 2
• Strongest evidence areas: Pricing structure, Australian payroll compliance (STP and Fair Work), and integration support.
• Claims buyers should verify: Exact per-payslip fees for the Outsourced Payroll Service and conflicting third-party pricing reports regarding the Standard software plan.
• Publication readiness: Good page with strong local evidence, suitable for publication with clear caveats regarding the steep learning curve and add-on pricing structures.