SuperStream for employers

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

How SuperStream works

SuperStream is the way all employers must pay employee superannuation guarantee contributions to super funds. With SuperStream, money and data are sent electronically in a standard format.

Your employee super information is linked to your super contributions by a unique payment reference number (PRN).

This means you can make all your super contributions in a single transaction, even if the payments are going to multiple super funds.

If the only contributions you make are personal contributions for yourself or contributions to a related self-managed super fund (SMSF), you don’t need to use SuperStream because these are excepted contributions.

Keeping your employee information safe

All SuperStream communications:

  • are encrypted
  • use sending and receiving protocols that all parties must follow.

Employee information security is important and starts with you, and all your dealings in the super system. This means you should:

  • apply security best practices when personal information is stored in payroll solutions or sent over the internet
  • make sure any service providers you use have strong information security policies, and terms and conditions.

How to meet SuperStream requirements

In just 3 simple steps, you can meet SuperStream requirements.

Step 1: Choose an option

To meet SuperStream requirements, you can use the following electronic options:

  • Payroll system.
  • Super fund online system.
  • Super clearing house.
  • Small Business Superannuation Clearing House.
  • EFT or BPAY direct to the fund.
  • Messaging portal.

You can also ask your accountant or bookkeeper to help you with one of these options.

Payroll system

Check with your software provider to ensure your payroll system is SuperStream-compliant. You may need to update your software.

You can also use the SuperStream Certified Product RegisterExternal Link to check if your software is compliant.

Some payroll systems cover data and payments, and some are data only. This means you may need to make payments to each fund separately. The payment must be electronic (electronic funds transfer or BPAY®).

Super fund online system

Large super funds have online payment services you can use. Check with your super fund to ensure it is SuperStream compliant.

Super clearing house

A clearing house pays super to your employees’ super funds for you. You send a single electronic payment to the clearing house with all your employees’ super contribution data, and the clearing house does the rest.

You can use the free Small Business Superannuation Clearing House if you have either:

  • 19 or fewer employees
  • An annual aggregated turnover of less than $10 million a year.

You can also choose to use:

  • other commercial clearing house options
  • your super fund’s clearing house.

Talk to your super fund to see what they offer.

Small Business Superannuation Clearing House

The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (the clearing house) is a free service you can use if you are a business with either:

  • 19 or fewer employees
  • an annual aggregated turnover of less than $10 million.

You make your super guarantee contributions for all employees as a single electronic payment to the clearing house. The clearing house will then distribute the payments to each employee’s super fund.

Even if you outsource some parts of making super contributions, you’re still responsible for ensuring your employees’ super contributions are paid correctly.

The clearing house is accessed via our Online services for businessExternal Link, Online services for agentsExternal Link or ATO online services in myGov.

The SBSCH service will be closed from 1 July 2026

As part of the Payday Super reform, from 1 July 2026 the ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) will be closed.

From 1 October 2025, only existing users of the SBSCH will have access until 30 June 2026. Employers will not be able to register as new users of the SBSCH after 1 October 2025.

EFT or BPAY direct to the fund

If you pay directly to a super fund with EFT (direct credit or direct debit) or BPAY, you must also send the employees information electronically (not by email).

Direct contributions can only continue with special agreement from each of your super funds.

Contact your fund to see if direct contributions can continue or if any changes are required.

If you can continue paying direct to the fund, you can also use a messaging portal for the electronic information requirements. A messaging portal will generate reference numbers to use in your online banking.

Messaging portal

A messaging portal can convert contribution data for your employees to a SuperStream compliant format and send it to the relevant funds for you.

You still need to make one electronic payment.

Talk to your messaging portal provider and financial institution about your options.

Step 2: Collect employee information

Collect the following information from your employees:

  • your employee’s tax file number (TFN)
  • the Australian business number (ABN) of your employee’s super fund
  • the unique superannuation identifier (USI) of your employee’s super fund. You can look these up through:

You can also use the online service, EmployerTICK, to validate employee details. For more information on the service, see the EmployerTICK user guide.

Employees with SMSFs

If your employees have an SMSF, you’ll need the following information:

  • your employee’s TFN
  • the ABN of your employee’s SMSF
  • the bank account details of your employee’s SMSF
  • the electronic service address of your employee’s SMSF.

If your employee wants you to contribute to their SMSF, provide them with a standard choice form and ask them to return it to you within 28 days. If you don’t receive the information you may make the contributions to your default fund.

If you’re paying your own super contributions to your own SMSF, you don’t need this information for these contributions.

Step 3: Paying with SuperStream

You must send the payment and data on the same day. This lets the super fund match your payment and information and allocate the contribution to the fund member’s account.

If you use a commercial clearing house, the employee’s super contribution is counted as being paid on the date the super fund receives it, not the date the clearing house receives it from you. Check with your clearing house to make sure you allow enough time for your payments to be processed before the quarterly due dates.

If you use our Small Business Superannuation Clearing House, your super obligations are met on the date the clearing house accepts the payment (so long as the super fund doesn’t reject the payment). This is because the clearing house is an approved clearing house under government regulations.

If you don’t have an ABN

If you’re not eligible for an ABN, you can use your withholding payer number (WPN) to use SuperStream.

Your WPN is found on your pay as you go (PAYG) withholding registration advice or your activity statement.

A WPN is shorter than an ABN so, depending on your SuperStream solution, you may need to:

  • enter your 8 or 9-digit WPN into the WPN field without any leading zeros, if you are registering for the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House
  • add leading zeros when providing your WPN, if you are paying contributions directly to super funds.

Superannuation IT services incident communications strategy

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Introduction to the strategy

The ATO Superannuation information technology services incident communication strategy has been developed to complement the ATO business continuity plan (BCP) and provides further detail of how the ATO will respond in the event that ATO superannuation services are not performing as expected.

The ATO provides critical enabling services that the superannuation industry uses as part of their everyday operations.

This information provides the framework to achieving a consistent and timely approach to communication with the superannuation industry. It also defines the roles, responsibilities and steps the ATO will follow in order to provide prompt and effective communication with the superannuation industry during a system incident. The outcome is a pragmatic process which the industry participants can confidently rely upon in managing their services and relationships.

Scope of the strategy

This communication strategy covers incidents affecting the operation of ATO superannuation enabling services from when an incident is confirmed through to resolution.

Currently, the scope of this communication strategy is limited to services that are critical to the operation of superannuation funds. Services that are critical include:

  • SuperTICK
  • Fund Validation Service (FVS)
  • SuperMatch
  • Member Account Attribute Service (MAAS)
  • Member Account Transaction Service (MATS)
  • Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH). Note: this service will be closed from 1 July 2026. From 1 October 2025, only existing users of the SBSCH will have access until 30 June 2026. Employers will not be able to register as new users of the SBSCH after 1 October 2025.
  • SMSF Verification Service (SVS)
  • SMSFMemberTICK.

The strategy will complement the ATO’s business continuity plan, and the information provided can be used by the industry as part of their BCPs. This is not designed to replace existing arrangements or requirements by APRA.

Where there are incidents that affect other superannuation services, such as remittance advice and recovery runs and the Departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP) online system, the ATO will continue to issue CRT Alerts. To receive CRT alerts and Super funds newsletter subscribe to ATO newsletters and alertsExternal Link.

Other online services, such as Online Services for Business and Online Services for Agents will advertise system and performance issues via their own dashboards or maintenance pages.

Planned outages are currently communicated through the ATO Superannuation DashboardExternal Link and won’t be dealt with in this strategy.

Note: For printing purposes, the web address of the ATO Superannuation Dashboard is https://sses.status.ato.gov.au/External Link

ATO business continuity plan

We have a BCP in place which provides directions on assessing the risk and approach treatments during a system incident. We’ll use the dashboard to inform industry of incidents, stand up a Super Response Group made up of a wide range of Government and industry stakeholders to provide input into its management and support communications.

Unplanned outage

An announcement is published to the ATO Superannuation DashboardExternal Link indicating we are aware of the outage and investigating (holding message).

The ATO Superannuation Dashboard will be updated as new information comes to hand. Notifications on the dashboard will include a time when the next update will be provided.

Dashboard subscribers will receive an email alert each time we publish a new announcement, prompting them to visit the dashboard to check the latest announcement.

If the outage is not resolved by 9:00 pm AEDT, a holding message will be placed on the dashboard, with a further update provided at 7:00 am AEDT.

If the outage is expected to continue for 24 hours or has continued for 24 hours, teleconferences for the Super Response Group are convened.

If the unplanned outage occurs during the weekend a SMS will be issued to out-of-hours contacts for the Super Response Group.

For incidents that are initiated in non-core hours, a communication message via the dashboard will be provided at 7:00 am.

When services resume a ATO Superannuation DashboardExternal Link announcement will be published.

Payday superannuation

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

On 2 May 2023 the Australian Government announced that from 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay their employees’ super at the same time as their salary and wages.

This measure is not yet law.

The SBSCH service will be closed from 1 July 2026

As part of the Payday Super reform, from 1 July 2026 the ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) will be closed.

From 1 October 2025, only existing users of the SBSCH will have access until 30 June 2026. Employers will not be able to register as new users of the SBSCH after 1 October 2025.

Permissions for business and tax professionals

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Activity or form

Permissions required

Transaction

Online services

Notes

Activity statements

Activity statement

Registration

Account details

View

Prepare

Lodge

Revise

View

OSB

OSFA

SBR

n/a

Annual Investment Income Report

Annual Investment Income Report

Prepare

Lodge

OSB

OSFA

SBR

n/a

Attribution managed investment trust return

Attribution managed investment trust return

Prepare

Lodge

SBR

n/a

Certificate of Coverage request

Certificate of Coverage request

View

Prepare

Lodge

Revise

OSB

OSFA

SBR

n/a

Closely held trust beneficiary reports

Includes TFN Report and TFN Withholding report

Closely held trust beneficiary reports

Prepare

Lodge

SBR

Non-BAS agent functionality

Includes TFN Report and TFN Withholding report

Common Reporting Standard (CRS) statement

Common Reporting Standard (CRS) statement

Prepare

Lodge

OSB

OSFA

SBR

Access is not available using Business Appointments

Non-BAS agent functionality

Community Housing Annual Report

Community Housing Annual Report

Prepare

Lodge

OSB

Access is not available using Business Appointments

Consolidated group notification

Consolidated group notification

Prepare

Lodge

SBR

Non-BAS agent functionality

Country by Country Report

Country by Country Report

Prepare

Lodge

OSB

OSFA

SBR

n/a

Direct Debit

Direct Debit

Prepare

Lodge

SBR

Excluding BAS agents

Early stage innovation company report

Early stage innovation company report

Prepare

Lodge

OSB

OSFA

n/a

Electronic Payments systems transaction report

Electronic Payments systems transaction report

Prepare

Lodge

OSB

OSFA

n/a

Electronic Portability Form

Electronic Portability Form

View

OSFA

n/a

Employee Commencement form

Employee Commencement form

View

Prepare

Lodge

OSB

OSFA

SBR

Employee commencement form access is required for stapled super fund requests

Employee Share Scheme annual report

Employee Share Scheme annual report

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Lodge

OSB

OSFA

n/a

Excise Claim

Excise forms

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Revise

OSB

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n/a

Excise Duty Return

Excise forms

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Revise

OSB

OSFA

n/a

FBT Return

FBT Return

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SBR

Fringe benefits tax

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)

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OSB

SBR

OSFA

n/a

Fuel tax credits non-business (FTCN)

Excise forms

Financial and payment details

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Lodge

Add/Update

OSB

OSFA

n/a

Further information

Objection and private ruling applications

View and action own mail

Prepare

Lodge

View

OSB

OSFA

Access is not available using Business Appointments

General Purpose Financial statements

General Purpose Financial statements

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Lodge

OSB

OSFA

Non-BAS agent functionality

GST Property credits

Accounts

View

OSB

OSFA

n/a

Income tax history and copy of return

Account

View

OSB

n/a

Lodgment deferrals

Registration

View and action own mail

Add/update

OSFA

n/a

Merchants Point of Sale transactions reporting

Merchants point of sale transactions reporting

View

Prepare

Lodge

OSB

OSFA

n/a

Non-Individual income tax return

Non-Individual income tax return

Prepare

Lodge

SBR

Non-BAS agent functionality

Objection and Private Ruling

Objection and private ruling applications
View and action own mail

Prepare

Lodge

View

OSB

OSFA

Access is not available using Business Appointments

PAYG Payment Summary

PAYG Payment Summary

Prepare

Lodge

SBR

Access is not available using Business Appointments

Petroleum Stewardship for Oil (PSO) claim

Excise Forms

Financial and payment details

View

Prepare

Lodge

Add/Update

OSB

OSFA

n/a

Private Health Insurance Report

Private Health Insurance Report

Prepare

Lodge

OSB

OSFA

Available to ABNs belonging to a private health insurance fund

Reported Transactions

Accounts

View

OSB

OSFA

n/a

Statement of Tax

Account

View

OSB

OSFA

n/a

Taxable Payment Annual Report

Taxable Payment Annual Report

Prepare

Lodge

OSB

OSFA

Access is not available using Business Appointments

Transfer balance Account Report

Transfer balance Account Report

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Lodge

OSB

OSFA

SBR

Non-BAS agent functionality

TFN declaration

TFN declaration

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Lodge

OSB

OSFA

SBR

Access is not available using Business Appointments

Transfer of shares and units

Transfer of shares and units

Prepare

Lodge

OSB

OSFA

Non-BAS agent functionality

Reserve Bank cuts interest rates a third time

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

Today the independent Reserve Bank of Australia Monetary Policy Board lowered the cash rate for the third time in six months.

This quarter of a percentage point cut brings the cash rate to 3.60 per cent, its lowest level in more than two years.

This is very welcome relief for millions of Australians.

This interest rate cut will make a meaningful difference to millions of mortgage holders around the country.

It will put more money in the pockets of people under pressure.

It’s more real cost of living relief that recognises inflation is now much lower under Labor.

It reflects the substantial and sustained progress we’ve made on inflation in a volatile and uncertain global environment.

For a household with a mortgage of $700,000, this rate cut will save them $109 a month, or around $1,300 per year.

When combined with the previous two rate cuts, the same household will save about $330 a month, or about $4,000 per year.

This is the first time in almost two decades we’ve seen rates come down three times in a calendar year at the same time the unemployment rate is below 5 per cent.

The three interest rate cuts we’ve seen this year would not have been possible without our collective efforts to get inflation down.

Headline and underlying inflation have fallen to their lowest rates in almost four years, and are now both in the RBA’s target band.

When we came to office, headline inflation was 6.1 per cent and rising, it’s now about a third of that.

When we came to office, trimmed mean inflation was 4.9 per cent and rising, it’s now almost half of that.

The RBA’s statement makes clear that inflation has fallen substantially since its peak in 2022 and it expects underlying inflation to “continue to moderate”.

Under Labor, inflation is falling, unemployment is low, real wages and living standards are growing again, more than 1.1 million jobs have been created, debt is down, the economy is growing and interest rates are falling.

Today’s cut doesn’t mean the job is finished, but it will help.

As the RBA noted in its statement, economic uncertainty and volatility are prominent and defining features of the outlook around the world, but all the progress we have made together holds us in good stead.

The best defence against global volatility and the best way to lift living standards is with a more productive economy, a stronger budget, and more resilience.

That’s why we’re building consensus on long term economic reform around these three priorities.

Two charged with aggravated armed robbery of taxi driver

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Two charged with aggravated armed robbery of taxi driver

Tuesday, 12 August 2025 – 3:11 pm.

Police have charged two people with the aggravated armed robbery of a Launceston taxi driver last week.
Detectives from Launceston CIB arrested and charged a 14-year-old boy from Rocherlea last Friday, while a 20-year-old man from Invermay was arrested today and remains in custody awaiting a court appearance.
Both males have been charged with aggravated armed robbery over the same incident at Rocherlea, about 4.55am on August 8.
Police allege a male taxi driver was assaulted by the two accused, with the driver receiving non-life-threatening stab wounds.
Emergency services responded promptly to the incident and the victim received medical treatment for his injuries.
Police arrested the 14-year-old later on Friday, about 3.15pm, with ongoing inquiries resulting in the arrest today of a second person.
Investigations continue and Tasmania Police urges anyone with information to contact them on 131 444, or information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online at www.crimestopperstas.com.au

Warning on regional level crossing safety as Rail Safety Week begins

Source: Mental Health Australia

Regional motorists are being urged to obey the rules and stay safe around level crossings, after joint enforcement in regional areas resulted in 80 driver fines for ignoring signals about approaching trains and for speeding.

Regional motorists are being urged to obey the rules and stay safe around level crossings, after joint enforcement in regional areas resulted in 80 driver fines for ignoring signals about approaching trains and for speeding.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to lowering road fatalities toward zero, and part of that includes making level crossing safer for everyone.

It is investing $7.3 million a year through the Level Crossing Improvement Program to accelerate upgrades of priority public level crossings and through level crossing safety education and enforcement campaigns.

The safety message comes as Rail Safety Week begins, a reminder to be safe on and around the rail network. Rail Safety Week will be marked across NSW with events focused on Werris Creek and is strongly supported by the Minns Labor Government.

Read the full article here (PDF, 133.19 KB)

Not too late to get vaccinated against influenza

Source: Australian Green Party

NSW Health is urging the community to book in for a flu vaccine despite the winter season nearing an end, as cases remain high across the state.
The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report shows that more than 8,200 people in NSW tested positive for influenza in the week ending 2 August.
Most people with the flu do not test, so the latest figures represent a small proportion of people who have had influenza recently.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said influenza is still circulating at high levels in the community.
“Everyone aged six months or older is recommended to get their flu vaccine, even previously healthy children and adults can experience severe complications from influenza,” Dr Chant said.
“It’s not too late to get vaccinated, getting the flu vaccine is quick, easy and recommended for everyone aged six months or older.
“Despite the winter illness season nearing an end, we are strongly encouraging people to book in for their flu vaccine now. The flu vaccine which is widely available through pharmacists and GPs and is one of the best ways people can protect themselves against infection or severe disease.
“Influenza is a serious illness that can cause pneumonia, make chronic underlying medical conditions like diabetes, lung and heart disease much worse requiring hospital admission, and cause death.
“Complications can occur in anyone but are more likely in those at higher risk of severe illness.”
The flu vaccine is free for people at high risk of severe illness from influenza:

children aged six months to under five years
pregnant women
Aboriginal people aged six months and over
anyone aged 65 and over
people with chronic health conditions

People can book their flu vaccine at a GP, pharmacy, or Aboriginal Medical Service. Everyone aged two years or over, can get vaccinated at a pharmacy.
Parents or carers with children aged six months to under two years old should see their GP for their flu vaccine.
If an illness or injury is not serious or life-threatening, we encourage the community to call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, for 24-hour advice. A nurse will answer your call, ask some questions and connect you with the right care.
For more information on how to keep you and your loved ones safe visit Respiratory illness.

Three people charged with arson in relation to fire at Invermay

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Three people charged with arson in relation to fire at Invermay

Tuesday, 12 August 2025 – 2:36 pm.

Launceston Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) has charged three people in relation to a structure fire in Invermay on 26 July.
At approximately 8.50pm, emergency services were called to a fire at a unit on Dry Street.
Tasmania Fire Service extinguished the fire, however, the unit sustained total structural damage.
As a result of ongoing investigations, a 14-year-old, 15-year-old, and 18-year-old have been charged with arson.
Police continue to investigate the incident and urge anyone with information to contact Launceston CIB on 131 444 and quote OR780968.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.

Discover Ancient Pompeii at Wanneroo

Source: South Australia Police

The City of Wanneroo is teaming up with European Union to bring a unique cultural experience to Perth’s northern corridor this August.

Presented by the European Union, Inside Pompeii: Origins of a European Way of Life will be on display at the Wanneroo Regional Gallery from Wednesday 13 August to Saturday 4 October 2025.

The free exhibition offers a rare and intimate look at one of Europe’s most iconic historical sites featuring powerful photography by Luigi Spina, taken during the COVID-19 lockdown while Pompeii was closed to visitors.

The exhibition is part of the European Union’s cultural diplomacy efforts and reflects the growing relationship between Europe and Australia.

Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said it was an honour to host the Western Australian debut of the international exhibition.

“With nearly 10,000 residents in our community identifying as having Italian ancestry, this exhibition is a meaningful way to celebrate our diverse heritage and shared cultural values,” she said.

“We’re proud to bring world-class art and history to our local gallery, making it accessible to families, schools and visitors from across Perth.”

The exhibition features 38 large-scale photographs of Pompeii’s homes, streets and public spaces. Through the images, visitors can explore everyday objects, artworks and architecture that reveal how people lived thousands of years ago and how much we still have in common.

EU Ambassador to Australia, Gabriele Visentin, said the exhibition would give local communities a chance to explore cultural heritage and see the commonalities of life then and now.

“We value history’s lessons as we build our new future together – one that is about partnership, security and defending common values. So, it is fitting that we learn as much as we can about each other, from Brussels to Pompeii to Wanneroo,” he said.

“I am delighted that the exhibition is on display in Western Australia, which is already a part of our deepening EU-Australia relationship.”

Visitors can also explore a curated display of Pompeii-related books at the Wanneroo Library and take part in family-friendly activities during National Science Week and Book Week.

For more information, visit wanneroo.wa.gov.au/insidepompeii