Rostering software is a digital tool that enables businesses to plan, manage, and communicate employee work schedules efficiently. It replaces manual rostering methods like spreadsheets, whiteboards, or paper-based systems with an automated, centralised solution that improves visibility, reduces administrative workload, and helps ensure compliance with labour laws and industry awards.
In Australia, rostering software is particularly valuable in sectors like retail, hospitality, healthcare, construction, and manufacturing, where managing shift workers and fluctuating workforce needs is the norm.
Fair Work – Rostering and Work Hours
Modern rostering software typically includes:
Manual rostering can be tedious and error-prone. Software automates shift distribution, considers availability and leave, and can auto-fill repeating patterns—saving managers hours each week.
Australian businesses are subject to the Fair Work Act 2009, along with industry-specific awards. Rostering software helps enforce rules around:
Built-in compliance checks help reduce the risk of breaches and potential penalties.
Staff can:
This flexibility fosters greater engagement, improves work-life balance, and can help reduce turnover.
With built-in cost projections, managers can create rosters that align with budgets. They can see the impact of shift choices on wages before publishing the schedule, helping control labour spend.
Changes in the roster? No problem. Employees are notified immediately via SMS, email, or push notification—reducing no-shows and confusion.
Let’s say you’re managing a 24/7 retail business. Staff availability changes weekly, and you need to fill 50+ shifts while staying within your labour budget and remaining compliant with the General Retail Award. With rostering software:
Microkeeper provides Australian businesses with an all-in-one solution that combines rostering, timesheets, payroll, and HR. Our rostering system is:
✅ Fully integrated with live timesheets
✅ Built for award compliance (with automatic rules applied to shifts)
✅ Accessible via mobile and desktop
✅ Designed with employee self-service in mind
✅ Equipped with budget tracking tools
This integration eliminates the double handling of data between platforms and simplifies workforce management end-to-end.
Explore Microkeeper’s Rostering Tools
Yes, especially those managing hourly or shift-based employees. Even with a team of 5–10, software can save time and reduce mistakes.
Absolutely. In fact, casual teams benefit most from software that supports shift bidding, availability tracking, and instant notifications.
Rostering software is for planning upcoming shifts. Timesheet software records actual worked hours. Microkeeper integrates both, so you can easily compare rostered vs actual time worked.
Yes. Most rostering systems, including Microkeeper’s, let you copy and customise previous weeks’ rosters.
Rostering software is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s essential for businesses that want to save time, reduce compliance risk, and empower their employees. Whether you’re managing 5 or 500 staff, a good rostering tool can streamline your operations and improve employee satisfaction.
With Microkeeper, rostering is just the beginning. Pair it with our award-compliant payroll, digital timesheets, and HR automation for a truly integrated workforce management solution.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult Fair Work or a legal professional for advice specific to your business.
