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Australia’s First Payroll AI Adoption Report: Access Group Partners with APA

Artificial intelligence is transforming payroll operations across Australia, enhancing accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. For the first time, a clear benchmark reveals how payroll teams are adopting, exploring, and preparing for AI.

Australia’s first Payroll AI Adoption Report, developed by The Access Group in exclusive partnership with the Australian Payroll Association (APA), sets the benchmark for AI adoption in payroll. This groundbreaking report provides a comprehensive view of industry readiness, identifies critical skills gaps, and offers practical steps to prepare for an AI-enabled future.

Download the full report.

AI & Automation Announcements

Posted 14/11/2025

A first-of-its-kind partnership for Australian payroll

The first-of-its-kind collaboration between two payroll leaders captures insights from over 800 Australian employers, offering a clear view of AI adoption and actionable guidance for every stage of the AI journey.

This partnership brings together the APA's industry expertise with The Access Group's leadership in payroll technology and workforce management. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to empowering payroll professionals with trusted, data-driven intelligence on AI adoption across Australia.

AI will not replace payroll professionals, it will elevate the work we do, allowing us to focus on strategic outcomes and ensure people are paid correctly, every time.

Tracy Angwin, Founder and Non-Executive Director Australian Payroll Association

Why the report matters

Payroll sits at the heart of business operations, and is one of the most data-intensive and compliance-critical functions in any organisation. With constantly evolving regulations such as Payday Super (effective July 2026), maintaining accuracy, transparency, and compliance has never been more crucial. AI presents will significantly transform payroll operations.

The Payroll AI Adoption Report 2025 explores:

✓ The current state of AI adoption across Australian payroll

✓ The confidence and capability gaps holding teams back

✓The skills and governance needed for responsible AI use

✓ What the future holds for AI in payroll

The Payroll AI Adoption Report 2025 provides evidence-based benchmarks and practical insights Australian organisations need to navigate AI adoption with confidence.

Key insights - Payroll AI Adoption Report 2025

Several themes stand out for Australian payroll professionals from the report findings: 

The confidence gap

74% of payroll professionals see AI as essential for compliance—yet only 5% feel confident implementing it. What's holding teams back?

Uneven progress

AI adoption varies significantly by organisation size and industry, with some organisations racing ahead while others struggle to get started. Why is there resistance?

The skills gap

The report identifies gaps in payroll teams that need to be developed for successful AI adoption. What skills matter most?

The path forward

Despite barriers, momentum is building—with clear patterns in who's investing and why. What's driving successful adoption?

Want to know where you stand? Download the full report to see where your organisation is on payroll AI, understand the barriers and opportunities, and what it takes to be future-ready.

Access Group’s role in shaping payroll innovation

As an APA Gold Partner, The Access Group is setting the benchmark for AI adoption in Australian payroll. With platforms like Access Definitiv Evo, businesses are already harnessing AI-powered automation and analytics to streamline compliance, simplify processes, and gain unmatched visibility into payroll operations.

AI in payroll isn’t about replacing people, it’s about amplifying their impact and importance. By automating repetitive tasks, we free payroll professionals to focus on strategy, compliance, and delivering even more value to the business.

Stephen Duncan, Head of Marketing – People & Payroll The Access Group

How to prepare for an AI-enabled payroll future

The report provides practical guidance for organisations at every stage of AI adoption. By taking these steps, Australian businesses can be prepared for a payroll future where AI drives accuracy, efficiency, and employee confidence:

  • Assess current processes to identify tasks that can benefit from AI.
  • Invest in data quality and integrity to ensure AI outputs are reliable.
  • Upskill payroll professionals in digital literacy, data interpretation, and governance.
  • Benchmark against peers using insights from the report to measure progress and identify areas for improvement.

Shaping the future of Australian payroll

The Payroll AI Adoption Report 2025 marks a defining moment for payroll in Australia. For the first time, organisations have a credible benchmark for AI adoption, practical insights to guide strategy, and an authoritative view of the skills and readiness needed for the future.

With the Australian Payroll Association and The Access Group leading this initiative, payroll professionals across Australia now have a trusted foundation to navigate AI transformation confidently.

Download the full report here.