Payroll for Every business

payroll software australia

ClockOn is the leading payroll software solution that makes managing employee payments a breeze. Whether you’re a start-up or an established business, our rostering and attendance solutions are perfect for you.

More Features

Payroll for Every business

payroll software australia

We’ve worked hard to make a system that is specifically tailored to the needs of your business. Keeping track of your business just got easier with the help of our workforce management software.

Calculate your True payroll Cost

ClockOn Blog

Take control of your payroll expenses now! Discover the true cost of your payroll with our On-Costs Calculator. Start making informed decisions for your business today!

Learnings

Company

Support

← Australian Payroll Software

Payday Super Is Coming - Get Ahead, Stay Compliant

From July 1, 2026, super must be paid on payday. Are you ready?

ClockOn’s new integration with Beam (coming soon) helps you comply automatically – before the deadline hits.

  • Payday Super means paying super on payday instead of quarterly

  • Starting 1 July 2026, Super payments must reach funds within 7 business days

  • ClockOn + Beam support “Qualifying Earnings” calculations, real-time clearing and automated payments

payday super - july 1 2026

Trusted by businesses great and small

 

What Is Payday Super?

Payday Super means employers must calculate and pay the super guarantee at the same time as salary and wages. It changes both the timing and the calculation method, shifting from OTE to QE.

“From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super at the same time as salary and wages.”

The government’s intention is simple: reduce unpaid super and ensure workers receive their entitlements faster.


This is one of the most significant changes to superannuation since compulsory SG was introduced.
 

What You Need to Know

  • Payday Super begins 1 July 2026

  • You must pay super at the same time as wages

  • Payments must reach funds within 7 business days

  • Super is now calculated on Qualifying Earnings (QE) not just OTE

  • The ATO Small Business Clearing House shuts down

  • STP reporting expands to include QE and SG liability every pay run

  • ClockOn + Beam automate QE calculations and real-time payments

  • You can switch early to avoid disruption in 2026

 

The SBSCH will also close on July 1, 2026

The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) is a free online service provided by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) that allows eligible small businesses to manage and pay their employees' superannuation contributions in one transaction. 

Key Dates for the SBSCH Closure
 
If you are an existing user of the SBSCH, you need to be aware of the following dates:
  1. 1 October 2025: New employer registrations for the SBSCH closed. No new businesses can sign up for the service.
  2. 10 December 2025 (5:30 pm AEDT): The processing cut-off date before the ATO's annual office closure. Payments received after this time will not be processed until January 2, 2026.
  3. February to March 2026: The ATO's recommended timeframe for businesses to move to an alternative super payment option.
  4. 30 June 2026: This is the final day for existing users to use the service, make any final payments, and download reports.
  5. 1 July 2026: The SBSCH will be permanently closed and no longer available. 
 

Why the Law Changed

Unpaid super is a long-standing issue in Australia. The government’s review found:

  • More than $6.25 billion in unpaid super

  • Workers can lose over $30,000 of retirement savings

  • Casual and part time staff are impacted the most

  • Women are disproportionately affected due to time out of the workforce and higher rates of casual work

Payday Super addresses these problems by shortening the time between earning income and receiving super contributions.

What Counts as “Qualifying Earnings” (QE)?

QE replaces OTE as the basis for calculating super. It is broader and designed to remove ambiguity.

Common items included in QE

  • Ordinary hours worked

  • Casual loading

  • Shift loading and penalties

  • Commissions

  • Performance bonuses

  • Salary sacrifice arrangements

  • Leave loading

QE is designed to capture most earnings that relate directly to work performed.

 Real examples 

  1. Casual worker:
    A casual staff member working variable shifts earns base pay plus casual loading. Both form part of QE.
  2. Employee with commission:
    Sales commissions are included in QE alongside their base rate.
  3. Bonus payment:
    Most bonuses affect QE unless explicitly excluded by law.

This removes grey areas that previously led to disputes or underpayments.

What Changes for Employers in 2026

Area Before July 2026 After July 2026
Super calculation 12% of OTE 12% of QE
Payment deadline Quarterly Within 7 business days
Super fund allocation time 20 business days 3 business days
SGC penalties Based on salary Based on QE, daily compounding interest
Reporting method STP (OTE or SG) STP (QE + SG liability)
SBSCH Still available Shutdown (from July 1, 2026)

 

Why ClockOn + Beam Is Built for Payday Super

ClockOn’s upcoming Payday Super functionality uses Beam’s fast, secure super clearing system to deliver a compliant end to end workflow.

ClockOn x Beam integration
Key advantages for employers

  • QE calculations every pay run without manual work

  • Super payments triggered automatically when payroll is finalised

  • Payments clear in around three business days through Beam

  • Full visibility inside ClockOn with audit trails

  • STP Phase 2 reporting handled in one place

  • No reliance on external clearing houses

  • Supports early transition well before July 2026

This reduces workload for payroll teams and removes the most common causes of late or incorrect super.

SBSCH vs Payday Super

❌ Old Way:
A multi-site hospitality group relied on spreadsheets to estimate super for 200 staff. Payments were processed quarterly through the SBSCH. Errors were found only at quarter end and adjustments were slow.
✔️ New Way:
ClockOn + Beam automated super calculations for every pay run. QE is generated within payroll and payments are sent automatically at the end of each cycle. STP handles reporting with no double handling.
Outcomes for employers

  • Hours saved each pay cycle

  • Faster identification of errors

  • Full compliance ahead of the 2026 deadline

  • No anxiety about the SBSCH closure

  • Managers gained clearer cost visibility each week

This reduces workload for payroll teams and removes the most common causes of late or incorrect super.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? We’ve got answers!
 
Is Payday Super mandatory?

Yes. From 1 July 2026 all employers must comply.

What is QE and how is it different from OTE?

QE is a broader measure of earnings and captures most payments related to work performed.

What happens if super is not paid within seven days?

The employer may face SG Charge penalties that are based on QE with daily interest.

Can a business start Payday Super early?

Yes. Many are choosing to start early to avoid disruption in 2026.

What replaces the SBSCH?

Businesses will need to use payroll systems such as ClockOn to process super payments.

How does the Beam integration work in ClockOn?

Once connected you can trigger super payments directly from the payroll process with automated reporting and reconciliation.

Who Uses ClockOn for Payroll?

ClockOn payroll software is trusted by well known brands like IGA, Specsavers, and Mitre 10, as well as hundreds of small to mid-sized businesses across Australia. While it's popular in pharmacy, retail, hospitality, and healthcare, the system is built to support any industry that needs compliant, reliable payroll with local support.

Can I upgrade to include HR features?

Absolutely. You can add HR tools like WHS tracking, visa checks, and onboarding features anytime by upgrading to our Pro package.

start free, scale when you're ready

simple pricing for every business size

Whether you’re a small business or a growing company, ClockOn makes workforce management simple and affordable.

Payday Super will be available on our Paid subscriptions only

free starter package

FREE

Full access to payroll & STP features for up to 12 months or 27 STP submissions (whichever comes first). Cancel anytime.

get Started for free

Standard Package

from $2.45

per employee/month

Includes Time tracking, our Mobile App, Payroll, Award Interpretation, STP & Compliance.

get Started

Pro Package

from $7

per employee/month

everything in Standard + HR Management, Manager Portal, Document Storage, WHS, and Work Rights Checks.

Contact Sales

"The support from ClockOn during the implementation and change-over period was exceptional; the training provided was concise and the system itself very user friendly"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
EBC logo
CEO, Ettalong Bowling Club

Need a formal quote?

Complete your details below to receive a quote within 1 business day.

Request a Quote

See For Yourself

Take Control of Payroll, Without the Complexity

With ClockOn’s payroll software, you get powerful tools to manage pay runs, STP, and compliance - backed by built-in rostering and attendance.

Book a Demo Today
Mask group (16)-2