What is Human Resources (HR)?

Simply put, Human Resources or HR, as it's often referred to, is a department within a business that is solely focused on managing the employee lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding through to performance management and retirement.

HR software, also known as human resources management software or an HR system, is a digital platform that helps businesses manage and automate their human resources processes. It centralises core HR functions that would otherwise be handled manually or across multiple disconnected tools, from onboarding and performance management through to compliance and employee data management. Our HR software is a cloud-based HRIS covering the full employee lifecycle.

What should I look for in an HRIS?

A quality HRIS should automate routine workflows and reduce administrative burdens, give employees self-service access to manage their own information and time-off requests, integrate with your existing business systems, and provide robust reporting and analytics to help you forecast workforce needs and identify talent gaps. The best HR software management decisions start with understanding which of these capabilities matter most for your business size and HR strategy.

What does HR software do?

HR software automates and centralises the HR processes that would otherwise be handled manually or across multiple disconnected tools. This includes managing employee records, running onboarding workflows, tracking leave, handling performance reviews, producing compliance documentation, and giving employees self-service access to their own information.

Does the HR software integrate with workforce management software?

Our HR software integrates with many market-leading, best-in-class software providers. It’s the best way to build an eco-system of workplace software solutions to manage all HR activities and functions across your business.

What are the benefits of outsourcing HR?

Saving time and money - outsourcing helps your HR team reclaim valuable time so they can get back to doing what’s important; embracing a customisable technology solution that can scale your team and remove inefficiencies; on-demand, integrated HR support and advice that is a phone call away 24/7, 365; protecting your business and your people; and simplifying your HR function.

Take your HR to the next level

HR Software Australia

Managing your people shouldn’t mean managing chaos. Citation Group’s cloud-based HR software gives Australian businesses a single platform to handle every stage of the employee lifecycle, from the moment someone accepts your offer to the day they move on. Compliance built in. Admin handled. Your time back.

Trusted by over 12,000 of Australia’s most innovative businesses.

Hundreds

of legally sound, best-practice templates, documents, policies, and workflows.

Best-in-class

software integrates with other great tools.

Easy-to-use

workflows so you'll never get HR wrong.

Smiling woman sits at a desk with a laptop in a modern office meeting room

happy lady in a work meeting taking their business to the next level

Take your business to the next level with our best-in-class HR software

Regardless of whether you’re a small business or a large one, our HR software delivers an HR service that’s controlled, consistent, and compliant for businesses in every industry. Whether you use our HR software as a complete HR platform for your business or as an additional advanced resource for your established HR team, you’ll have the backing of an industry leading HRIS system helping you manage your people smoothly at every stage of the employee lifecycle.

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happy cafe owner using HR software customised to his needs

What is HR software?

HR software, also called an HR system, HR management software, or a human resources information system (HRIS), is a digital platform that centralises and automates the core HR functions a business needs to manage its people. It replaces spreadsheets, paper files, and disconnected tools with a single source of truth for all your employee data and HR activity.

The right HR software covers:

Employee records and data management.
Onboarding and offboarding workflows.
Employee management and reviews.
Compliance documentation and HR reporting.
Employee self-service (ESS) access.

Good HR software doesn’t just reduce your administrative burden – it gives HR managers, HR leaders, business owners, and HR teams the confidence that HR processes are being handled correctly, compliantly, and consistently.

The nuts and bolts behind our industry-leading people management software

Effective and precise HR management

Easily manage each stage of the employee lifecycle from onboarding and recruitment to retirement or termination of employees, contractors, and volunteers.

Employee self-service (ESS)

Give your employees direct access to relevant resources, the ability to maintain and update their information, and acknowledge, report and action important tasks.

Best-practice HR solutions

With constantly updated information to help you keep pace with the ever-changing employment law landscape, you’ll always be on the pulse and in the know about everything workplace relations.

Manage your people perfectly with the power of the Cloud

Real-time alerts and reminders

Whether it’s a work anniversary or the end of a probation period, you’ll never miss an important event with our real-time notifications.

Integrated, on-demand HR support

Our workplace relations experts are available 24/7 and can give you tailored HR advice specific to your business, industry, and situation.

Protecting your critical data

We’ve all heard about data hacks but with our industry-leading encryption you can rest easy knowing that your employee data to, from, and within the Cloud is protected.

Software that sets you free

Organise your information

Securely store all your employee information. Access it anywhere, on any device. Find what you need, fast.

Secure your business

Our HR software is a toolbox filled with resources to keep you compliant and protect your business.

Human resource management system on laptop

Engage your employees

Assign tasks, share info and review performance with an Employee Self-Service portal that’s both accessible and empowering.

Get more done

Work more efficiently and boost productivity by automating all those old, manual processes.

Feel the support

Experience a personal support team that’s so invested in your success we renamed them ‘Client Success’.

Be a model of safety

A powerful Work Health & Safety management module comes as standard, with every subscription.

Create your Culture

With your HR admin handled, you’ll be free to build a better workplace (and a better business).

a group of colleges admiring the HR software on their tablet

Built for Australian businesses

Citation HR is made for Aussie businesses by experts who know local laws. Every template, document, workflow, and compliance tool has been developed with Australian employment legislation in mind — the Fair Work Act, the National Employment Standards, and the modern award system.

The platform is cloud-based, hosted on Amazon Web Services, and accessible from any device. Your employee data is protected by industry-leading encryption, two-factor authentication, and role-based access permissions.

And when you need support, our dedicated Australian support team and HR advisory experts are on hand to help you get the most from the platform.

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Man working on his laptop, and happy with his safe and secure HR software

The benefits of HR software

Cloud-based HR software means your HR data lives securely online – not on a single device or a local server. For Australian businesses managing HR, that means real cost savings, less admin, and more time for the work that actually matters.

Access from anywhere – office, home, or on the go.
Real-time alerts and reminders for key HR events.
Automated workflows that eliminate manual processes and reduce your administrative burden.
Integrations with best-in-class third-party tools.
Valuable insights through HR reporting and analytics.
Enterprise-grade security for your most sensitive employee information.

The result is an HR platform that supports business growth, not one that slows it down.

Explore our HR software

Dive deeper into the part of our HR software that matters most to you.

HR software for small business

HRIS built around the compliance needs and budget of small Australian businesses.

Cloud HR software

What cloud-based HR software means for your business.

HR performance management software

Goal-setting, structured reviews, and performance cycles inside your HRIS software.

HR reporting & analytics

Workforce reports, headcount dashboards, and compliance analytics.

HR software pricing

What HR software systems cost in Australia and how our pricing works.

Got burning questions? We’ve got answers

HR software automates and centralises the people management processes that would otherwise be handled manually. It covers:

Managing employee records and data.
Running onboarding and offboarding workflows.
Tracking leave and managing approvals.
Handling performance reviews.
Producing compliance documentation.
Giving employees self-service access to their own information.

The goal is to reduce admin, improve accuracy, and give business owners and HR teams confidence that people management is being handled correctly.

HRIS stands for human resources information system. It’s a digital platform that centralises employee data and automates core HR processes, from onboarding and leave management to performance reviews and compliance reporting. HRIS software and HR software are terms that are often used interchangeably. Both refer to the same category of HR management platform.

HRIS (human resources information system) focuses on data management and core HR processes. HRMS (human resources management system) typically extends into payroll and broader workforce management. HCM (human capital management) is the broadest term, covering strategic talent management and workforce planning.

Citation Group’s HR software covers all three, from operational HRIS functions that HR administrators use day-to-day, through to the strategic HRIS capabilities needed to make data-driven decisions and inform HR strategy across their HR departments.

Australian businesses have access to a range of HR management system software, from standalone tools that handle a single HR function through to comprehensive HR information systems that manage the full employee lifecycle. Citation Group’s platform is purpose-built for the Australian market, with local employment law built in, HR software Australian businesses can rely on, and a support team based here.

A human resource management solution manages everything from employee engagement and employee onboarding to your business’ core HR functions and routine HR tasks. Therefore, selecting the right HR software to streamline HR processes, from payroll management to performance reviews, is a decision that business owners shouldn’t take lightly. Effective HR software not only provides complete peace of mind regarding HR compliance but also offers your business valuable insights into employee productivity, the employee lifecycle, and HR operations.

Citation Group’s key features can do this and so much more for your business growth, employee performance, and employee management. Contact our friendly team to learn more.

Access to on-demand human resources advice, specialist employment law advice, and increased efficiency are just some of the reasons why businesses choose to outsource their HR function. So, if you’re looking to outsource your HR function, reduce your admin burden, and access industry-leading software, book your demo with our Citation HR team today.

Saving time and money – outsourcing helps your HR team reclaim valuable time so they can get back to doing what’s important.
Embracing a customisable technology solution that can scale your team and remove inefficiencies.
On-demand, integrated HR support and advice that is a phone call away 24/7, 365.
Protecting your business and your people.
Simplifying your HR function.

Look for a platform built around Australian employment law that automates routine workflows, integrates with your payroll system, and provides employee self-service functionality. Self service functionality means your team spends less time on admin and more time on the work that matters. Strong compliance tools, a locally based support team, and the ability to scale as your business grows are also essential HR features to evaluate.

See our HR software pricing page for a clear picture of cost.

Yes, particularly if you don’t have a dedicated HR team. The right HRIS gives small businesses access to legally sound documents, automated compliance workflows, and structured HR processes without needing an in-house HR expert. See our HR software for small business page for more.

Citation Group’s HR software works alongside foundU – a payroll platform built specifically for Australian businesses. foundU handles Single Touch Payroll (STP), automated award interpretation, and payroll processing for Australian businesses. Employee data moves between the two platforms to reduce double-handling and minimise errors.

The cost of HR software depends on the size of your business, the features you need, and how the platform is configured. See our HR software pricing page for a clear picture of what Citation Group’s HR software solutions cost.

In short, yes. Citation Group’s software can manage the entire employee lifecycle – from talent management and job postings to people managing. Our HR systems are one of the few solutions on the market that can manage complete compliance effectively.

Yes, Citation Group’s HR software integrates with many market-leading, best-in-class software providers, including foundU. It’s the best way to build a connected ecosystem of HR tools that manage all your HR activities and functions across your business.