If you're a mechanic in Australia or New Zealand looking for workshop software, you've probably noticed most results are American or British. That's a problem - those systems often don't handle GST properly, can't look up your local vehicle registrations, and have never heard of Xero.
This guide compares the actual software options available to mechanics on this side of the world. We'll cover what's different between AU and NZ markets, which systems are genuinely built for us, and what you should look for when choosing.
What We'll Cover
Why "Built Locally" Actually Matters
Workshop software isn't like email or word processing - generic global tools work fine. Workshop management has specific local requirements that American or UK software simply won't handle properly.
GST Handling
Both Australia (10% GST) and New Zealand (15% GST) use goods and services tax, but American software expects sales tax that varies by state - or no tax at all. UK software uses VAT with completely different rules.
Getting this wrong means:
- • Incorrect invoice calculations
- • Manual adjustments for every transaction
- • Accounting nightmares at tax time
- • Potential compliance issues with IRD/ATO
Software built for AU/NZ handles GST correctly from day one. It's not a setting you configure - it's fundamental to how invoicing works.
Vehicle Registration Lookups
This is where local software really shines. In New Zealand, we can look up any vehicle by registration plate through NZTA and get make, model, year, VIN, and WoF/rego status instantly. Australia has similar state-based systems.
American software has no idea these databases exist. You'd be manually entering every vehicle's details, which takes time and introduces errors.
The Difference in Practice
Manual vehicle entry: Look up the VIN somewhere, type in make/model/year, double-check for typos
With rego lookup: Enter the plate number, click search, details populate automatically
The time difference adds up across every new vehicle you enter.
Accounting Integration
Xero dominates the small business accounting market in both Australia and New Zealand. MYOB is also significant, particularly in Australia.
American workshop software typically integrates with QuickBooks (the US version). That might work for some Australian businesses using QuickBooks Online, but for the majority on Xero, it's a dealbreaker.
Support Hours
When something goes wrong at 9am Wednesday in Auckland, you want help. If your software company is in San Francisco, it's 1pm Tuesday and they're just getting back from lunch. UK support means calling at 10pm.
Local companies provide support during local business hours - when you actually need it.
Key Differences: Australia vs New Zealand
While similar, there are important distinctions between the two markets:
| Factor | Australia | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| GST Rate | 10% | 15% |
| Vehicle Inspections | Roadworthy (varies by state) | WoF (Warrant of Fitness) |
| Rego Lookup | State-based systems | NZTA nationwide |
| Primary Accounting Software | Xero, MYOB | Xero (dominant) |
| Currency | AUD | NZD |
| Market Size | Larger market | Smaller market |
Inspection Requirements
New Zealand: The WoF (Warrant of Fitness) system is nationwide and standardised. All vehicles over 3 years old need annual WoF inspections. Workshop software should track WoF due dates and send customer reminders automatically.
Australia: Vehicle inspection requirements vary significantly by state. NSW has pink slips, Victoria has roadworthies, Queensland has safety certificates. Software needs to handle different requirements depending on your state - or at least not assume a single national standard.
Parts Suppliers
The major parts suppliers differ between countries:
New Zealand: Repco, Supercheap Auto, CBS Parts, Auto Super Shoppes
Australia: Repco, Supercheap Auto, Burson Auto Parts, Autobarn, Pedders
Some workshop software integrates with specific supplier catalogues and pricing. Make sure your preferred suppliers are supported.
Workshop Software Options Compared
Here are the main options genuinely built for or adapted to the Australian and New Zealand markets:
Hoist (New Zealand)
Hoist - Built in NZ
- • Market: NZ-focused, AU coming soon
- • Type: Cloud-based
- • Rego Lookup: NZTA integration built-in
- • Accounting: Xero integration
- • Pricing: From NZ$60/month + GST
- • Trial: 14-day free trial, no credit card
Hoist is purpose-built for NZ workshops. It handles NZ GST, has native NZTA plate lookups, and integrates with Xero out of the box. The team is based in New Zealand, so support is during NZ business hours.
Other Options
Beyond Hoist, there are other workshop software options serving the AU/NZ market. Some are Australian-developed, some are international platforms that support our region. When evaluating any software:
- • Check if they have native rego lookups for your country
- • Verify GST handling matches your requirements
- • Test the Xero/MYOB integration during a trial
- • Ask about support hours and response times
- • Read recent reviews from AU/NZ users specifically
International software (built for US or UK markets) can work but often requires workarounds for local tax handling, vehicle lookups, and accounting integration. Support timezone differences can also be frustrating when you need help during your business hours.
What to Look For
When evaluating workshop software for AU or NZ, check these specifics:
Essential Features
Must-Have for AU/NZ Workshops:
- ✓ Correct GST handling (10% AU / 15% NZ)
- ✓ Local rego/plate lookup integration
- ✓ Xero integration (or MYOB for some AU workshops)
- ✓ Prices in AUD or NZD
- ✓ Support during your business hours
- ✓ WoF tracking (NZ) or state-specific inspection tracking (AU)
Nice to Have
Bonus Features:
- • Parts supplier integration (local suppliers)
- • SMS reminders with local carriers
- • Payment integration (Stripe, local providers)
- • Data stored in local region (privacy)
Red Flags
- • Pricing only shown in USD
- • No mention of GST in documentation
- • VIN lookup only (no plate/rego lookup)
- • Support hours listed in US/UK time
- • QuickBooks integration only (no Xero)
- • "Sales tax" configuration instead of GST
Pricing
Workshop software pricing varies significantly between providers. Cloud-based options typically charge monthly subscriptions, while desktop software often has larger upfront license fees.
Get quotes directly from any software you're considering - pricing changes frequently and often depends on the number of users or features you need. Most cloud providers offer free trials so you can test before committing.
Check our pricing page for current Hoist pricing.
Our Recommendations
For New Zealand Workshops
Choose software built specifically for NZ. The combination of NZTA integration, correct GST handling, Xero support, and NZ-based support makes a significant difference in daily use.
We built Hoist specifically for NZ workshops, so we're biased - but we're biased because we saw the gaps in international software firsthand. Try the 14-day free trial and see if it fits.
For Australian Workshops
Look for software with Australian compliance built in - correct GST, state-based inspection handling, MYOB or Xero integration. Workshop Software is a solid Australian-built option. International options can work but may require configuration.
For Workshops in Both Countries
If you operate in both AU and NZ, you need software that properly handles both tax systems, multiple currencies, and different inspection requirements. This is actually quite rare - most software is built for one market. Check carefully that your chosen system can genuinely handle both.
The Bottom Line
Workshop software isn't a commodity product you can buy from anywhere. Local requirements around GST, vehicle registrations, accounting integration, and support hours mean that software built for US or UK markets will always require workarounds.
For AU/NZ workshops, prioritise:
- 1. Correct GST handling for your country
- 2. Local rego/plate lookup
- 3. Xero integration (or MYOB if that's your system)
- 4. Support during your business hours
Everything else is secondary. Get these four things right and the rest follows.
Built for NZ Workshops
Hoist is workshop software designed specifically for New Zealand mechanics. NZTA rego lookups, 15% GST, Xero integration, NZ-based support - all built in from day one. Try it free for 14 days.