Celebrating 40 years of Aurion helping make life work better

For 40 years, Aurion has been behind the scenes of millions of paydays, helping organisations simplify payroll, support their people, and navigate workforce complexity with confidence. What began in Brisbane in 1985 as a solution to meet the growing need for efficient payroll management has now evolved into one of Australia’s most trusted people and payroll digital providers.  

For over four decades, Aurion has remained focused on making life work better for organisations, their employees, and the payroll professionals who support them every day.

40 years of industry milestones 

Aurion’s journey has been marked by a series of industry-first innovations and significant achievements that have helped shape payroll technology in Australia.
  

Some of Aurion’s key milestones include:
 

• 1985 – Founded in Brisbane 

• 1988 – First customer onboarded (still with us today) 

• 1999 – Launched Australia’s first Payroll Self Service and opened Canberra bureau 

• 2007 – Transitioned to a SaaS model 

• 2014 – Released Version 11 with 24/7 access across devices 

• 2018 – First to market with Single Touch Payroll (STP) 

• 2021 – Funding approved and development began for Version 12 

• 2023 – First to market with STP Phase 2 

• 2026 – First to market with Payday Super 

Each of these milestones showcases how Aurion has continued to evolve while helping organisations keep up with the ever-changing workforce needs and regulations. 

Built on trust, powered by expertise 

For 40 years, Aurion has earned the trust of thousands of organisations of all sizes across Australia and New Zealand, beginning in the government sector and expanding to education, healthcare and not-for-profit industries. 

Today, that trust is reflected in long-standing partnerships. 50% of customers have been with Aurion for more than 10 years, 35% for over 20, with some relationships spanning more than 30 years. Aurion also processes more than one million payslips each year, supporting organisations to deliver accurate, compliant payroll with confidence. 

Aurion supports payroll, HR, workforce management, recruitment, onboarding, reporting, health and safety, and employee self-service capabilities, all designed to help businesses manage their people more effectively. 

However, what truly sets Aurion apart is its people. With a team entirely based in Australia, Aurion brings together more than 800 years of combined payroll expertise. This depth of knowledge underpins every solution and service, with payroll specialists, developers, consultants, account management, and support teams working closely with customers to solve challenges and deliver better outcomes. 

A commitment beyond business 

As Aurion celebrates this significant milestone, it also recognises the responsibility that comes with leadership. The company continues to strengthen its commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, fostering sustainability, social accountability, and ethical governance practices across its operations. 

Its Reconciliation Action Plan further demonstrates a commitment to building stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and contributing positively to Australia’s future. 

Award-winning excellence 

Aurion’s dedication to innovation, service, and workplace culture has been recognised through numerous industry awards, including Payroll Systems Service Provider accolades and Employer of Choice recognition from HRD, as well as honours from the Global Payroll Association. 

These achievements reflect the confidence customers place in Aurion and the passion of the team behind the brand. 

Looking ahead to the next 40 years 

While 40 years is an extraordinary milestone, Aurion’s story is far from finished. 

 As workplaces continue to evolve and payroll becomes increasingly complex, Aurion remains committed to helping organisations navigate change with confidence. Through continued innovation, investment in technology, and a customer-first approach, the company is well-positioned to lead the future of people and payroll management in Australia. 

Today, we celebrate not only 40 years of success, but also the customers, partners, employees and communities who have made it possible. 

Every innovation, milestone, and achievement has been made possible through these partnerships and a shared commitment to making life work better. 

Here’s to four decades of innovation, trust and transformation, and to the exciting future ahead. 

Happy 40th Anniversary, Aurion. 

Making life work better for Australian organisations since 1985. 

Want to read more about our 40 year history?

Explore more:

• Read our Payroll startup to industry leader: Co-founder John Wegert reflects on 40 Years of Aurion blog
• Discover our 40 years webpage