The SBSCH has closed: how to keep paying employee super

Published Wednesday 16 September 2026

Table of contents

• The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House system
• When did the SBSCH close?
• What to do now the SBSCH has closed
• Benefits of integrated payroll software for your super
• More guidance on paying super
• Simplify your super payments with Xero
• FAQs on the Small Business Super Clearing House closure

Key takeaways

• The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) closed permanently on 1 July 2026, so employers who used it have moved to a SuperStream-compliant way to pay super. Late or missed contributions can still trigger the super guarantee charge (SGC).
• Access to your SBSCH records ended at 11:59 pm AEST on 30 June 2026, so you can no longer download payment history or employee super details from the service.
• Payroll software with built-in super is a SuperStream-compliant option that calculates contributions and pays them from the same platform you use for payroll.
• Test your super payment method after switching to confirm contributions reach the right funds, amounts calculate accurately, and reporting meets SuperStream requirements.

The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House system

The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) was a free online service from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) that let employers manage and pay employee super contributions in one place. It closed permanently on 1 July 2026, so eligible businesses now pay super through a SuperStream-compliant method instead.

Businesses could use the SBSCH if they met one of these criteria:

• fewer than 20 employees
• annual turnover under $10 million

When did the SBSCH close?

The SBSCH closed permanently on 1 July 2026. Existing users could access the service until 11:59 pm AEST on 30 June 2026, after which logins were disabled and an alternative method was needed to pay super. New registrations had closed on 1 October 2025.

The closure is part of the Australian government's move towards simpler, automated super payments. For employers, this shift can reduce manual work and cut the admin errors that come with entering payments by hand.

For the current position, see the ATO's page on the SBSCH closure.

What to do now the SBSCH has closed

If you used the SBSCH, you've had to switch to a SuperStream-compliant way of paying super. If you've already moved across, this section helps you confirm everything's working. If you're still finalising the switch, here's what to sort out now.

Look at alternative ways to manage your super

Your replacement method must meet SuperStream standards, which require you to pay and report super electronically. These are the main options:

• Super fund clearing houses: some super funds offer their own clearing house services, though these often involve more manual data entry.
• Commercial clearing house providers: third-party services can process contributions for you, though they may need separate logins and manual uploads, and a contribution counts as paid on the date the super fund receives it.
• Payroll software with built-in super: tools like Xero calculate and pay super from the same platform you use for payroll, distributing contributions through its clearing house partner, SuperChoice.

Payroll software is the most streamlined option if you want to reduce manual work and keep everything in one place.

Keep the records you downloaded from the SBSCH

Access to download records from the SBSCH ended at 11:59 pm AEST on 30 June 2026. If you saved your records before then, hold on to them for compliance and audit reference.

The records worth keeping cover:

• Employee payment transaction history: shows all super contributions made through the clearing house.
• Employee details: contains super fund information, member numbers, and contribution rates.

If you still need details you didn't download, such as an employee's unique superannuation identifier (USI), you'll now need to get them from the employee or their super fund.

Sort out your new payroll process

Moving off the SBSCH also changed how you handle your quarterly super obligations. The super contributions for the April to June 2026 quarter, due 28 July 2026, couldn't be paid through the SBSCH and had to go through an alternative method.

Payday Super is now law under the Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Act 2025 and took effect on 1 July 2026, according to the ATO. Employers pay super at the same time as wages, with contributions reaching funds within seven business days of payday. That means more frequent payments and tighter timing to manage. For background on what Payday Super means for small employers, CPA Australia has a useful summary, and you can also read more about the Payday Super reform.

Test your new payment method

After switching, run a test payment through your new system to confirm everything works. If you've already moved across, it's worth checking these still hold true.

Check these elements:

• verify funds reach the correct super accounts, so contributions arrive at each employee's nominated fund
• confirm amounts calculate correctly, applying the super guarantee percentage to each employee's earnings
• check reporting meets SuperStream requirements, so your payment data transmits in the correct format
• ensure timing works for your pay cycle, so you can process payments within the required deadlines

This approach protects your employees' super and keeps you clear of payroll compliance issues.

Finalise a smooth switch

Whether you've finished the move or you're wrapping it up, a few factors help you avoid the super guarantee charge (SGC), which applies when super isn't paid correctly or on time.

Plan for these factors:

• Time: allow several weeks to set up, test, and get comfortable with your new system.
• Costs: budget for any subscription fees or setup charges with your new provider.
• Training: make sure you and your team understand the new process.

Benefits of integrated payroll software for your super

Integrated payroll software handles super and wages in one system, which reduces manual work and helps you stay on top of superannuation compliance. Here's how that plays out day to day.

Pay super from the same place you run payroll

Super calculates automatically when you run payroll, and payments process from the same platform. You pay the right amounts at the right times without switching between systems.

Keeping payroll and super together also gives you a clearer view of your cash flow in one place.

Accuracy and time savings

Payroll software calculates super automatically for each employee and takes funds from your nominated bank account. You control who can approve payments while the software handles the calculations. This reduces manual data entry and the errors that creep into super contributions.

See your cash flow in one view

One system for payroll and super means you see exactly what's coming in and going out of your accounts. You get reliable insights into payment amounts and timing without jumping between platforms.

A way to help future-proof your business

Xero updates automatically when government rules change, so you keep up without tracking every adjustment yourself, from super rates to Single Touch Payroll reporting. Automatic updates cover:

• current super guarantee rates
• future rate changes
• new requirements like Payday Super

You can see more features of Xero payroll software to understand how it fits your business.

More guidance on paying super

These sources give you more detail on paying super now the SBSCH has closed:

• ATO Payday Super guidance: the ATO's Payday Super for employers hub covers how super guarantee works now the reform is in effect.
• Payday Super background: the Australian government's original fact sheet sets out the reform's background, with the final rules confirmed by the ATO.
• Professional advice:talk to a bookkeeper or accountant for guidance specific to your business.
• Xero automated super setup:learn how to register for automated super payments in Xero.

Simplify your super payments with Xero

Now the SBSCH has closed, you need a SuperStream-compliant way to pay super, and payroll software keeps it in one place. Xero calculates super automatically and pays it through the SuperChoice clearing house, and it updates when the rules change.

Ready to bring payroll and super together? Sign up and get one month free to see how it works.

FAQs on the Small Business Super Clearing House closure

Here are answers to common questions about the SBSCH closure and moving to a new payment method.

Can I still use the SBSCH?

No. The SBSCH closed on 1 July 2026 and no longer accepts super payments, so you pay through a SuperStream-compliant method such as payroll software or a super fund's clearing house.

Do I need to tell my employees or super funds about the change?

Not if your employees' super fund details stay the same. Letting your team know you've updated your payroll system is still good practice.

How do I move from the SBSCH to Xero software?

All Xero plans include payroll and automated super payments. Subscribe to a plan, register for automated super payments in your account settings, then set up your bank account for direct debit payments.

Do I have to pay super through a clearing house?

No, a clearing house isn't mandatory. You can pay super through a clearing house, payroll software, or directly to funds, as long as your method meets SuperStream requirements and the Payday Super timing now in effect.

What if I haven't moved off the SBSCH yet?

The SBSCH is closed, so you can't make payments through it. Set up a SuperStream-compliant method now, because missing super can trigger the super guarantee charge (SGC), which under Payday Super adds the super shortfall, interest that compounds daily, and an administrative uplift.