MicrOpay vs Payroll Metrics – how they compare for AU/NZ payroll

For: Payroll Managers, HR Leaders, Finance Directors|11 min read|Last updated: October 2026

This comparison is published by Affinity. Vendor information is based on publicly available sources. Contact each provider directly for their current capabilities.

The short version

MicrOpay is an established Australian payroll application from The Access Group; Payroll Metrics is an independent AU/NZ platform combining payroll and workforce management. The main differences are integrated rostering, NZ depth and ownership.

How MicrOpay and Payroll Metrics differ

MicrOpay (now branded Access MicrOpay Evo) is a long-standing Australian payroll application owned by The Access Group, which acquired it as part of Sage's Australian and Asian businesses in 2021. It runs as Windows software on the customer's own servers or hosted by Access (Access Payroll Online), and has shipped STP Phase 2 and Payday Super updates, an integrated super clearing house, and an Evo layer adding dashboards, analytics and an AI Copilot.

Payroll Metrics is an independent Australian payroll and workforce-compliance vendor, founded 2013 and headquartered in Oakleigh, Victoria. It integrates payroll, timesheets, workforce management and advanced rostering for AU and NZ, with STP and SuperStream via an accredited gateway, and holds ISO 27001, ISO 27701 and ISO 9001 certifications.

The core distinction for a buyer is what each platform was built to optimise for: MicrOpay is an established Australian payroll application, owned by The Access Group, that runs on-premise or hosted by Access, while Payroll Metrics is an independent AU/NZ integrated payroll and workforce-management platform. AU/NZ payroll sits within each vendor's broader focus rather than as the sole product, which is where a specialist platform like Affinity differs from both.

Feature comparison

A neutral comparison of MicrOpay and Payroll Metrics across payroll and workforce capabilities, with Affinity shown as a separate AU/NZ specialist column. Vendor capabilities should be confirmed directly with each provider.

Native / strong Available / partial Not offered

Capability	MicrOpay	Payroll Metrics	AU/NZ specialistAffinity
AU award & EBA interpretation	Available / partial: Award coverage claimed; complex rules may rely on separate award interpreters – confirm directly	Native / strong: Multi-award/EBA support with custom work patterns	Native / strong: Configurable engine – modern awards, EBAs, shift penalties, allowance stacking
NZ compliance (Holidays Act, KiwiSaver, IRD)	Available / partial: NZ payday filing & KiwiSaver documented; Holidays Act depth not verified	Available / partial: Supports NZ tax obligations; Holidays Act depth to confirm	Native / strong: Purpose-built Holidays Act engine, KiwiSaver, Payday Filing, NZ team
STP Phase 2 & superannuation	Native / strong: STP Phase 2; Payday Super release (9.5 SP1) with integrated super clearing	Native / strong: Integrated STP & SuperStream via accredited gateway	Native / strong: Full STP Phase 2 & super, Payday Super ready
Pre-payslip intelligence	Available / partial: Evo analytics & AI Copilot (higher tiers); not a dedicated pre-payslip anomaly engine	Available / partial: Compliance automation & reporting (pre-payslip anomaly layer to confirm)	Native / strong: Payroll IQ – anomaly & variance checking before the payslip runs
Global / multi-country coverage	Not offered: AU/NZ focus	Not offered: AU/NZ focus	Not offered: AU/NZ focus – not multi-country
Workforce management	Available / partial: Mainly via integrations / other Access products	Native / strong: Integrated timesheets, WFM & advanced rostering	Native / strong: Integrated WFM with real-time labour costing
Delivery / managed payroll	Native / strong: On-premise or Access-hosted; outsourcing service available	Available / partial: SaaS; managed services availability to confirm	Native / strong: SaaS, Supported & Fully Managed on one platform
Named local AU/NZ support	Available / partial: Access support portal & account managers; named-contact model to confirm	Native / strong: AU-based support & development teams	Native / strong: Named AU/NZ contacts who know your configuration

Where MicrOpay fits

MicrOpay is built for Australian organisations – typically small to mid-sized, running payroll in-house – that want a familiar, long-established payroll engine with the option of on-premise or Access-hosted delivery. Its large installed base, Payday Super-ready releases with built-in super clearing, and the newer Evo analytics and Copilot layer make it a strong fit where continuity with a known AU payroll application matters more than deep NZ coverage or enterprise award complexity.

Where Payroll Metrics fits

Payroll Metrics is built for AU/NZ organisations that want payroll, timesheets and advanced rostering integrated in one platform from an independent local vendor with strong security certifications. Its multi-award/EBA support via custom work patterns and dynamic rosters, plus its Australian data centre and AU-based support and development teams, make it a strong fit for organisations that value local ownership and integrated workforce management alongside payroll.

Where Affinity fits

For organisations whose payroll complexity is concentrated in Australia and New Zealand, a specialist engine with pre-payslip intelligence, delivery-model flexibility, local data residency, and named local support is a different proposition to either MicrOpay or Payroll Metrics. Some organisations run MicrOpay or Payroll Metrics for their broader positioning and Affinity for a complex AU/NZ operation; others choose Affinity specifically because they need genuine cross-Tasman depth that neither platform is built to prioritise.

Frequently asked questions

Is MicrOpay or Payroll Metrics better for Australian payroll?

MicrOpay is an established Australian payroll application, owned by The Access Group, that runs on-premise or hosted by Access. Payroll Metrics is an independent AU/NZ integrated payroll and workforce-management platform. Which fits better for Australian payroll depends on which of those is closer to what your organisation actually needs. Confirm current AU award and EBA depth directly with both providers. For organisations whose complexity is concentrated in Australia and New Zealand, a specialist engine like Affinity is built specifically for that depth.

Do MicrOpay and Payroll Metrics handle New Zealand payroll?

MicrOpay: NZ payday filing & KiwiSaver documented; Holidays Act depth not verified. Payroll Metrics: Supports NZ tax obligations; Holidays Act depth to confirm. Confirm current NZ depth directly with each provider – Holidays Act, KiwiSaver and IRD payday filing all require genuine local engine work, not just tax-table updates. Affinity runs a purpose-built NZ payroll engine with 40+ years of Holidays Act experience and an NZ-based support team.

What is the main difference between MicrOpay and Payroll Metrics?

MicrOpay is an established Australian payroll application, owned by The Access Group, that runs on-premise or hosted by Access, while Payroll Metrics is an independent AU/NZ integrated payroll and workforce-management platform. They overlap on core payroll compliance but differ in scope, ownership model, and the customer base each was built to serve.

How does Affinity compare to MicrOpay and Payroll Metrics?

Affinity is an AU/NZ enterprise payroll specialist. It does not try to match MicrOpay or Payroll Metrics on their own ground; it competes on depth of AU/NZ award and Holidays Act compliance, pre-payslip intelligence, delivery-model flexibility, local data residency, and named local support.

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