KeyPay
Solid AU cloud payroll with STP Phase 2 and award interpretation that actually works. Powers Employment Hero's payroll under the hood. Does payroll well, don't expect HR features.
Starting from
$6/mo
Free trial
30 days
Free plan
No
Overall rating
4.7/5 (230)
“Strong standalone payroll engine for award-heavy trade businesses. Does the compliance side well, but it's another subscription on top of your accounting and HR tools.”
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Overview
KeyPay is an Australian-built cloud payroll engine that has quietly become one of the most widely used payroll platforms in the country. If you've used Employment Hero's payroll module, you've already used KeyPay. It powers the payroll under the hood.
KeyPay handles the full payroll cycle: pay runs, Single Touch Payroll Phase 2, leave management, timesheets, rostering, and superannuation. Its award interpretation engine is its standout feature. It automatically calculates penalty rates, overtime, and allowances based on the relevant modern award. For trade businesses juggling site allowances, travel time, and weekend penalties, this alone can save hours per pay run and reduce costly compliance errors.
Strengths: Award interpretation is genuinely best-in-class. STP2 compliance is rock-solid. Employee self-service lets staff check payslips, submit leave, and clock on/off from their phones. API-first architecture means it integrates cleanly with Xero, MYOB, Deputy, and most job management tools.
Limitations: KeyPay is a payroll engine, not an all-in-one HR platform. You won't find recruitment, performance reviews, or onboarding workflows here, you'll need Employment Hero or a separate HR tool for that. The interface is functional rather than pretty, and some first-time users find the award setup confusing without an accountant or bookkeeper to help configure it.
If your biggest headache is getting pay runs right and staying compliant with AU awards and STP, KeyPay is purpose-built for exactly that.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- ✓Award interpretation engine handles penalty rates, overtime, and allowances automatically
- ✓STP Phase 2 compliance is built in, ATO reporting just works
- ✓Per-employee pricing is affordable for small teams and scales predictably
- ✓Employee self-service reduces admin, staff check payslips and submit leave on their phones
- ✓Integrates cleanly with Xero, MYOB, and most job management tools
Watch out for
- ✕Payroll only: no recruitment, onboarding, or HR management features
- ✕Initial award configuration can be confusing without a bookkeeper's help
- ✕Interface is functional but dated, not the most intuitive first experience
- ✕Direct support can be slow, many users are funnelled through their accountant or reseller
Best for
Trade businesses with 5–200 employees who need accurate award interpretation, penalty rate calculations, and STP2 compliance without paying for a full HR suite.
Not ideal for
Sole traders doing their own payroll who want something simpler (Xero payroll may suffice). Businesses needing HR features like recruitment, onboarding, or performance management.
Key Features
Top Integrations
Frequently Asked Questions
Ratings
230 reviews
Source: Capterra
Checked April 2026
Pricing
Per employee per month: no base fee
Outsourced payroll processing, KeyPay runs your pay runs for you
Pricing is approximately $6 AUD per employee per month. Costs vary by reseller, many businesses access KeyPay through Employment Hero or their accountant. Verify current pricing at keypay.com.au.
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