Payroll outsourcing in South Africa — should you outsource?
Payroll outsourcing means paying a third-party bureau to run your monthly payroll. Fees typically range R80–R200 per employee per month plus a base fee. Modern cloud payroll software often delivers the same automation at a fraction of the cost, with full control retained in-house.
Payroll Africa Editorial · SARS Payroll Compliance Team
The Payroll Africa editorial team is composed of registered tax practitioners, payroll administrators and BCEA specialists who maintain the SARS PAYE, UIF, SDL and ETI engines that power the platform. Every article is reviewed against the current SARS BRS and Basic Conditions of Employment Act before publication.
- SARS registered tax practitioners
- SAPA-affiliated payroll administrators
- BCEA and LRA compliance reviewers
Last updated 30 Sept 2026
When to outsource vs run in-house
Outsource if you have zero payroll knowledge and no bandwidth for compliance. Run in-house on cloud payroll if you want visibility, faster changes and lower long-term cost.
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