What Does an ATS Do?
An Applicant Tracking System centralises every step of the hiring process after a client provides a job brief. It parses incoming CVs, scores candidates against role requirements, schedules interviews, tracks client feedback, manages compliance documents, and records placement outcomes. For agencies, the ATS is where recruitment delivery happens, while the CRM handles business development.
- Candidate pipeline management — visual tracking through screening, shortlist, interview, and offer stages
- CV parsing — automatic extraction of skills, experience, and contact details from resumes
- Interview scheduling — calendar integration for coordinating candidate and client availability
- Compliance tracking — right-to-work checks, reference documentation, and contract management
- Placement recording — fee tracking, start dates, and guarantee period monitoring
ATS vs CRM: Why Agencies Need Both
A recruitment agency without an ATS loses track of candidates mid-process. An agency without a CRM runs out of clients to recruit for. Agencies that separate these functions spend 20-30 minutes per placement on manual data transfer between systems. The trend in Australia is toward unified platforms that eliminate this double data entry.
Choosing an ATS for Australian Agencies
- SEEK and Indeed integration — post jobs and receive applications from major AU job boards
- Australian compliance — right-to-work, Fair Work documentation, and Privacy Act compliance built in
- E-signature support — digital contract signing without leaving the platform
- AUD pricing — predictable costs without exchange rate exposure
The best ATS for Australian recruitment agencies in 2026 combines candidate tracking with CRM, contact enrichment, and outreach automation in a single platform. Kolvera unifies these functions from A$49/month.