Time’s running out for small business super clearing house users

If you’re one of the thousands of small businesses using the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH), you need to act now. The service will permanently close on 1 July 2026, giving you just a few months to transition to an alternative payment method.  

The SBSCH closure is part of the government’s payday super reforms, which aim to modernise how employers pay superannuation. This service has been a lifeline for small businesses, allowing them to make a single payment that gets distributed to all their employees’ super funds. 

From 1 July 2026, the SBSCH will no longer process payments or allow access to historical records. If you’re currently using the service, you can continue until 11:59 pm AEST on 30 June 2026. 

Who can still use the SBSCH? 

Until its closure, the SBSCH will only be available to existing registered users with either:

• 19 or fewer employees; or 

• an annual aggregated turnover of less than $10 million. 

The service is no longer accepting new registrations, so if you’re not already signed up, you’ll need to find an alternative payment method immediately. 

What you need to do now

The ATO recommends making the January to March 2026 quarter your last quarter using the SBSCH. This gives you a buffer to establish your new payment process before the service closes permanently. 

Your immediate priorities should be: 

• Choosing your alternative payment method: Check if your existing payroll software already includes super payment functions. Many modern payroll systems offer integrated superannuation payments that meet SuperStream requirements. Alternatively, you can use commercial clearing houses or online payment services offered by some large super funds. 

• Downloading your records before 1 July 2026: This is crucial, because once the service closes, your transaction history and employee details will be permanently inaccessible. You’ll need these records for future audits and employee queries. To download your payment history, navigate to the Payment Instruction tab, select the Historical tab, choose your date range and save the print-friendly version. For employee details, go to the Employees tab, filter your results and print to PDF. 
• Switching early to avoid problems: By transitioning before the deadline, you’ll have an established process in place and reduce the risk of late payments for the April to June 2026 quarter. 

Finding alternatives

The ATO’s SuperStream Product register lists certified payroll software and service providers that can handle your super payments. Many of these solutions offer additional features like automated calculations, compliance reporting and integration with your existing accounting systems. 

Large super funds often provide online payment portals, and commercial clearing houses offer similar services to the SBSCH but with enhanced features and ongoing support. 

Don’t wait until the last minute

With the last quarterly super payments due on 28 January and 28 April, you need to have your new system operational well before the SBSCH closes, and before payday super starts. The transition period also allows you to test your new process and resolve any issues before they become urgent. 

Choosing the right super payment solution depends on your business size, payroll complexity and existing systems. The transition also presents an opportunity to review your entire payroll and super compliance processes. 

Source: www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/small-business-newsroom/get-ready-for-the-sbsch-closure