Facilities managers across Australia are under increasing pressure to do more with less – fewer staff, tighter budgets, and growing expectations from tenants and executive teams. Enter Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) software. Short for Computer-Aided Facilities Management, CAFM tools are now essential in helping building managers streamline operations, stay on top of maintenance, and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
But with dozens of options on the market, how do you know which CAFM solution is right for your facility? In this guide, we explore the best CAFM software available to Australian businesses, what features matter most, and how these platforms can help simplify your workload, whether you manage a single site or a portfolio across multiple states.
A CAFM software helps facility managers plan, execute, and monitor all building-related tasks, from reactive maintenance to room bookings, contractor management, and long-term asset planning.
These systems centralise building data, streamline workflows, and enable better coordination between on-site teams, vendors, and management – all from a single digital platform.
🧠 Fun Fact: The concept of CAFM software was first introduced in the 1980s, but cloud-based and mobile-first solutions only started gaining traction in Australia in the past 10–15 years.
Key Benefits of CAFM Software
- Time savings through automation of repetitive admin tasks
- Improved maintenance response times via real-time requests and prioritisation
- Greater cost control by monitoring spend across assets and sites
- Transparency with audit trails and reporting for management or compliance
- Scalability across locations, perfect for multi-site businesses
Whether you’re managing a hospital in Melbourne, a strata complex in Sydney, or a national retail network — CAFM software helps you run things smarter, not harder.
Must-Have Features for Australian Facilities Managers
When selecting a CAFM software, keep in mind the operational realities of Australian buildings. These features are particularly valuable:
- Mobile accessibility for contractors and teams on the move.
- Work order tracking with photos, priority tags, and technician notes.
- Planned preventative maintenance (PPM) scheduling.
- Asset lifecycle tracking for HVAC, lifts, lighting, etc.
- Ensure your system allows for contractor compliance, including licensing and insurance records – a must-have if you’re managing WHS obligations or aligning with your facilities compliance checklist.
- Integration with accounting, BMS, and procurement tools.
- Look for platforms that support NABERS and sustainability reporting, especially if your facility has ESG goals or is working towards a sustainable facilities management plan.
- Australian-based support teams or localised modules.
10 Top CAFM Software Solutions in Australia
🧠 Emerging Trend to Watch
Many modern CAFM software systems now come equipped with AI-powered features. These tools are helping facilities managers automate service scheduling, estimate costs and job durations, prioritise defects from service reports, and even map planned maintenance routes based on contractor availability and proximity. As AI continues to evolve, its integration into CAFM platforms is fast becoming a must-have.
💡 At JKFM, we’re already transitioning to platforms that incorporate AI for smarter, faster FM operations – from predictive maintenance to auto-flagged recommendations in service reports.
Here’s our list of leading CAFM platforms used by facilities teams across Australian industries:
Developed by Jani-King Australia specifically for JKFM clients, JK Connect is a purpose-built CAFM tool designed to centralise service requests, track asset maintenance, and provide real-time visibility across your sites. It includes features like contractor compliance management, live job tracking, client reporting dashboards, and mobile access, all backed by JKFM’s local support team.
✅ Best for Australian businesses looking for a fully managed CAFM solution with local expertise and hands-on support.
Developed in Brisbane, MEX is a flexible, cost-effective CAFM system that suits small to mid-sized businesses.
✅ Perfect for budget-conscious facilities teams wanting local support.
Learn more about MEX
Built for Australian conditions, FMClarity is a modern, cloud-based CAFM tool tailored for facilities managers. It supports maintenance, contractor management, and compliance workflows in sectors like strata, aged care, and education.
✅ Best for mid-sized Australian operations looking for local support.
Learn more about FMClarity
Mobile-first and easy to use, UpKeep is great for reactive and preventative maintenance. It offers barcode scanning, asset histories, and works well for distributed teams.
✅ Ideal for industrial and logistics facilities needing mobile Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) features.
Learn more about UpKeep
A heavyweight CAFM solution often used by universities and government. Archibus excels at space management, capital planning, and Building Information Modelling (BIM).
✅ Best for large, complex facilities with long-term planning needs.
Learn more about Archibus
Although originally built for tradies, SimPRO has matured into a robust platform for managing assets, jobs, quotes, and maintenance schedules.
✅ Ideal for facilities teams who work closely with field service providers.
Learn more about SimPRO
Fiix by Rockwell Automation offers strong integration features and is ideal for manufacturers and large-scale sites. Its AI capabilities and API options stand out.
✅ Great for data-driven operations and industrial environments.
Learn more about Fiix
An enterprise-grade solution that covers facility services, real estate, sustainability, and maintenance. Planon is widely used by corporate real estate teams.
✅ Good for companies managing owned and leased property portfolios.
Learn more about Planon
Well-known in the education and healthcare sectors, Brightly provides asset tracking, scheduling, and risk management tools.
✅ A strong option for schools, aged care, and community facilities.
Learn more about Brightly
Robust CMMS features, flexible modules, and cloud options make this a good choice for utility, public infrastructure, and transport facilities.
✅ Recommended for large teams with centralised reporting needs.
🛠️ Tip: Always start with a demo. Most CAFM solution providers offer free trials — test out the user interface, mobile functionality, and support before committing.
How to Choose the Right CAFM Platform
Here are five quick steps to help narrow your choice:
- Define your needs – What problems are you solving? Compliance, maintenance, reporting, or all of the above?
- Assess usability – Will your team actually use it? A flashy system means nothing if adoption is low.
- Check for mobile and offline functionality – Critical for contractors working in low-coverage areas.
- Ensure local relevance – Systems with Australian-based support or compliance modules save time and confusion.
- Start small – Implement core modules first (e.g. work orders, assets), then scale up.
Real-World Use: How JKFM Applies CAFM Tools
At JKFM, we leverage CAFM technology to manage complex service delivery across multi-site commercial portfolios. Here’s how we apply it day-to-day:
- Automating reactive work order allocation and tracking
- Managing asset registers and scheduling maintenance to avoid costly breakdowns
- Maintaining contractor records, licenses, and performance history
- Producing real-time reports for clients, including SLA tracking and budget summaries
- Integrating sustainability goals through utility tracking and efficiency metrics
Whether we’re supporting an office in Brisbane, a warehouse in Western Sydney, or aged care centres in Western Australia, CAFM software enables our team to deliver cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective outcomes, without unnecessary admin.
Final Thoughts: Making Technology Work for You
A CAFM software isn’t just a digital filing cabinet, it’s a practical tool for getting more done with fewer headaches. But choosing the right system takes more than just looking at a feature list. It requires matching your daily operational needs with a platform that’s built for the realities of Australian buildings and teams.
At JKFM, we don’t just use CAFM, we embed it into the way we deliver services. Our in-house developed system, JK Connect, is tightly integrated into our operations, enabling clients to benefit from real-time tracking, automated workflows, contractor management, and detailed reporting.
JK Connect is exclusively available to businesses that partner with us for their cleaning and facilities management needs. When you engage JKFM, you’re not just hiring a service provider, you’re gaining access to smart technology that enhances visibility, accountability, and building performance from day one.
Let’s talk about how we can streamline your FM operations and give you access to industry-leading tools.
