Rosters & Timesheets

Rostering software

What Is Rostering Software?

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

Key Features of Rostering Software

Modern rostering software typically includes:

  • Drag-and-drop roster builder: Simplifies shift creation and allocation.
  • Availability tracking: Employees can update their own availability.
  • Leave management integration: Automatically factors in leave and time off.
  • Award interpretation: Automatically checks compliance with relevant modern awards and agreements.
  • Real-time updates: Rosters update live, and staff receive instant notifications.
  • Shift bidding or claiming: Employees can express interest in unassigned shifts.
  • Budgeting and costing tools: Helps employers forecast and manage wage costs before shifts are confirmed.

Benefits of Using Rostering Software

1. Time Savings

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.

2. Compliance Confidence

Australian businesses are subject to the Fair Work Act 2009, along with industry-specific awards. Rostering software helps enforce rules around:

  • Maximum weekly hours
  • Break periods
  • Overtime and penalty rates
  • Rest between shifts

Built-in compliance checks help reduce the risk of breaches and potential penalties.

3. Employee Empowerment

Staff can:

  • Submit availability and leave requests online
  • View rosters anytime from a mobile device
  • Swap or pick up shifts (with approval)

This flexibility fosters greater engagement, improves work-life balance, and can help reduce turnover.

4. Cost Management

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.

5. Centralised Communication

Changes in the roster? No problem. Employees are notified immediately via SMS, email, or push notification—reducing no-shows and confusion.

Use Case Example

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:

  • You can auto-schedule shifts based on employee preferences and availability.
  • The software will alert you if a shift violates award rules (e.g. insufficient break between shifts).
  • Unassigned shifts can be claimed by available employees through their self-service portal.
  • Total shift costs are visible in real time, helping you stick to your labour forecast.

How Microkeeper’s Rostering Software Stands Out

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Rostering Software

Is rostering software suitable for small businesses?

Yes, especially those managing hourly or shift-based employees. Even with a team of 5–10, software can save time and reduce mistakes.

Can I use rostering software with casual employees?

Absolutely. In fact, casual teams benefit most from software that supports shift bidding, availability tracking, and instant notifications.

How is it different from timesheet software?

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.

Can I set up recurring rosters?

Yes. Most rostering systems, including Microkeeper’s, let you copy and customise previous weeks’ rosters.

Final Thoughts

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.