Your Guide to the ATO Super Clearing House Closure
If you’re a small business owner using the ATO Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) to pay employee super, you need to prepare for a major change. The government will close the SBSCH, and you must switch to a new super payment solution before July 2026.
The SBSCH has provided a free and convenient way to manage super contributions, but it will not continue under the new payday super system.
Why the ATO Is Closing the SBSCH
The government will shut down the SBSCH as part of its payday super reforms, which require employers to pay superannuation at the same time as wages instead of quarterly.
The SBSCH was designed for the old quarterly payment model and cannot support the tighter timeframes under payday super. As a result, the ATO will retire the service entirely.
Key SBSCH Closure Dates You Need to Know
Make sure you note these important deadlines:
- 1 October 2025 – New businesses can no longer register for the SBSCH
- 30 June 2026 – Existing users can make their final payments through the SBSCH
- 1 July 2026 – The SBSCH closes permanently
You must transition to a new super payment method before the end of June 2026.
How Payday Super Changes Super Payments
From 1 July 2026, the law will require employers to pay super contributions with each pay run. Under the new rules, super must reach employees’ super funds within seven days of payday.
This change significantly shortens payment timeframes and removes the option to pay super quarterly.
How the SBSCH Closure Will Affect Your Business
If you’re one of the more than 200,000 small businesses currently using the SBSCH, the closure will affect how you manage super in several ways:
- You must choose and implement a new super payment solution before June 2026
- Your costs may increase, as the SBSCH is free and many alternatives charge fees
- You will face tighter deadlines, with super due within seven days of payday
- You will need to integrate super payments into every payroll cycle
Planning early will help you avoid compliance issues and last‑minute disruptions.
Super Payment Alternatives to the SBSCH
Several alternatives can replace the SBSCH, depending on how your business runs payroll.
Payroll software with built‑in super payments
If you already use payroll software, an integrated payroll‑and‑super solution may offer the smoothest transition. Many accounting and payroll platforms now allow you to pay super directly after finalising payroll, often with just a few clicks.
Super fund clearing houses
Most super funds provide free employer clearing house services. These services let you pay contributions to multiple funds in one place, although you may need to upload payroll data or enter information manually through a separate portal.
Commercial clearing house providers
Independent providers typically offer more advanced features and handle high transaction volumes. While these services usually charge fees, they often provide strong compliance controls and reliable processing.
Start Your Transition Early
The ATO recommends starting your transition well before 2026. Moving early gives you time to test new systems, adjust payroll processes and resolve any issues before payday super becomes mandatory.
By acting now, you can ensure your business stays compliant and avoids unnecessary stress as the ATO super clearing house closure approaches.
Important: Clients should not act solely on the basis of the material contained here. Items herein are general comments only and do not constitute or convey advice per se. Also, changes in legislation may occur quickly. We, therefore, recommend that our formal advice be sought before acting in any of the areas.
