When businesses search for payroll software with a time clock, they are rarely just looking for a way to record start and finish times. What they actually want is confidence.

1. Confidence that hours are captured accurately
2. Confidence that payroll reflects what was actually worked
3. Confidence that disputes are reduced and compliance risk is controlled

The problem is that many systems still treat time clocks and payroll as separate tools. Hours are captured in one place, exported, adjusted, and re-entered somewhere else. Every handoff adds friction, delays, and opportunities for error.

That is where integrated payroll software with a built-in time clock changes the outcome entirely.

Time Clocking That Reflects How Teams Actually Work

Modern workforces are mobile, shift-based, and often spread across multiple locations. A practical time clock needs to fit real work patterns, not force workarounds.

A modern time clock typically supports:

• Mobile clock in and clock out via an employee app

• On-site tablet kiosks for shared locations

• GPS location capture and geofencing for accountability

• Optional photo capture for identity verification

• Shift-based clocking linked to rosters

• Paid and unpaid break tracking

• Offline clocking with automatic sync

These features matter because they reduce manual correction later. The closer clock-ins match real working conditions, the cleaner payroll becomes.

“Payroll problems almost always start with bad time data.
If hours are captured accurately and flow straight into payroll, most issues never occur.”

— David Mylne, CEO, ClockOn

Turning Clock-Ins Into Accurate Timesheets Automatically

A time clock only adds value if it produces reliable timesheets.

Automatic timesheet creation from clock-ins removes manual entry and interpretation. Managers review and approve hours using structured workflows rather than emails or paper notes.

Well-designed systems also include:

1. Full edit history and audit trails on changes

2. Alerts for late starts, early finishes, or missed breaks

3. Rostered hours vs actual hours comparison

4. Timesheets costed using correct award rates

Employees benefit as well. When staff can see their hours before payroll is processed, misunderstandings drop and disputes are often avoided altogether.

Payroll That Runs on Approved Time, Not Guesswork

The biggest shift happens when approved timesheets flow directly into payroll.

There is no re-keying of hours. There is no system-to-system reconciliation. Worked time becomes the single source of truth.

This enables payroll to:

• Apply award interpretation to actual hours worked

• Calculate overtime and penalties automatically

• Reflect leave taken through the time clock accurately

• Trigger allowances based on time and shift conditions

This connection between time and pay is what turns payroll from a reactive task into a controlled process.

Payroll That Runs on Approved Time, Not Guesswork

The biggest shift happens when approved timesheets flow directly into payroll.

There is no re-keying of hours. There is no system-to-system reconciliation. Worked time becomes the single source of truth.

This enables payroll to:

1. Apply award interpretation to actual hours worked
2. Calculate overtime and penalties automatically
3. Reflect leave taken through the time clock accurately
4. Trigger allowances based on time and shift conditions

This connection between time and pay is what turns payroll from a reactive task into a controlled process.

““When payroll is driven by approved time instead of estimates,
compliance becomes a system outcome, not a manual process.”

— Blake Smith, Marketing Manager, ClockOn

Built for Compliance, Not Just Convenience

In Australia, payroll compliance is not optional and time tracking sits at the centre of it.

ClockOn provides a complete payroll workflow — review → calculate → preview → finalise — built for compliance.

A compliant setup also ensures:

• Centralised pay rate updates across time, rosters, and payroll
• Audit-ready records of hours worked and paid
• Reduced exposure during Fair Work reviews or investigations

Most payroll errors are not intentional. They are caused by disconnected systems and manual processes. Integration removes that risk.

Check out our video below for an overview of the payroll features:

Beyond Payroll – Integrated HR & Compliance Tools

ClockOn gives businesses the HR and payroll compliance backbone they rarely have time to build — centralised records, leave management, document storage and work rights checks all in one place. It keeps your team organised, your obligations covered and your compliance audit-ready year-round.

Employment & Driver Records

Store licences, medicals, dangerous goods certifications, and expiry dates in one place. Get automated reminders for renewals.

Onboarding & VEVO Checks

Digital onboarding captures TFN, bank details, super choice, visas, and work-right documents. Everything syncs with payroll automatically.

Incident & Document Management

Log safety events and compliance incidents. Upload fatigue management policies, training documents, and link files directly to a driver profile.

The Operational Advantage of One System

The true advantage of payroll software with a built-in time clock is operational clarity.

• Fewer systems to manage
• Faster payroll processing each cycle
• Fewer disputes over hours
• Stronger accountability across teams
• Scalable processes as the business grows

Whether managing a small team or a multi-site workforce, integrated time tracking and payroll delivers consistency, control, and confidence at scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is payroll software with a time clock??

Payroll software with a time clock is a single system that captures employee work hours and uses that data directly to calculate pay. Instead of exporting timesheets between tools, clocked hours flow straight into payroll where award rules, overtime, leave, and allowances are applied automatically.

Why is it better to have time tracking and payroll in one system?

Using one system removes manual data entry and reconciliation between platforms. Approved hours become the source of truth for payroll, reducing errors, speeding up pay runs, and lowering the risk of underpayments or compliance issues caused by mismatched data.

Can a time clock help with award compliance in Australia?

Yes. When a time clock is integrated with payroll, award interpretation can be applied to the actual hours worked. This allows ordinary hours, overtime, penalties, and allowances to be calculated correctly based on modern award rules rather than estimates or manual checks.

Is ClockOn compliant with STP Phase 2?

Yes — ClockOn is fully STP2 compliant, with built-in error checking before lodgement.

Can I use ClockOn for casuals, full-time staff, and contractors?

Yes — ClockOn supports all employment types including subcontractors and owner-drivers (with limited payroll requirements).

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