How to Transition Away from the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House Before July 2026

The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) will permanently close on 1 July 2026. If your business currently relies on this free ATO service to manage super payments, now is the time to plan your move to an alternative solution — before it’s too late.

As part of the broader Payday Super reform, the SBSCH is being retired because it was built for a quarterly payment model and isn’t designed to support the more frequent super contributions that Payday Super demands. With over 200,000 small businesses affected, this is one of the most significant operational shifts in years for Australian employers.

Here’s everything you need to know about transitioning smoothly — and the key dates you can’t afford to miss.

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Written by Jo Sutton (Payroll Solution Expert).

How to Transition Away from the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House Before July 2026

Here’s everything you need to know about transitioning smoothly — and the key dates you can’t afford to miss.

Why is the SBSCH Closing?

The SBSCH has long been a convenient, no-cost way for eligible small businesses to pay employees’ superannuation contributions in a single transaction. However, from 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay superannuation at the same time as wages, with contributions to employees’ superannuation funds to be paid within 7 business days of each payday.

The SBSCH wasn’t built for this kind of frequency. The shift from quarterly to per-pay-cycle contributions means employers need a payment solution that can keep pace — and the SBSCH can’t deliver that.

Key Dates to Keep in Mind

Understanding the timeline is critical to a smooth transition. Here are the dates flagged by the ATO:

1 October 2025 — The SBSCH stopped accepting new registrations. Only existing users can continue to access the service.

28 January 2026 — Quarterly SG payment due date for the October–December 2025 quarter.

February–March 2026 — The ATO’s recommended window to move to your alternative payment method.

28 April 2026 — Quarterly SG payment due date for the January–March 2026 quarter. The ATO recommends this be your last payment through the SBSCH.

30 June 2026 (11:59 pm AEST) — The SBSCH closes permanently. After this time, you will not be able to submit payment instructions, make payments, or access any records.

1 July 2026 — Payday Super takes effect. All super payments must now align with your pay cycle.

28 July 2026 — Final quarterly SG payment due date, covering the April–June 2026 quarter only. This payment cannot be made through the SBSCH.

Your Step-by-Step Transition Checklist

The ATO has published a detailed transition checklist to help businesses move away from the SBSCH. Here’s a practical breakdown of the steps involved.

1. Choose an Alternative Payment Method

You have several options to replace the SBSCH, and the right choice depends on your business setup:

Your existing payroll software. Many modern payroll platforms already include integrated super payment functionality. Check whether yours supports SuperStream-compliant contributions — you may already have a solution at your fingertips.
Clearing house services from super funds. Some super funds offer free clearing house services for registered employers, allowing you to make contributions to multiple funds through a single platform.
Commercial clearing houses. Third-party clearing house providers offer dedicated super payment services. These may carry subscription or per-transaction fees, so it’s worth comparing options.

You can browse available providers through the ATO’s SuperStream Product Register for a list of compliant solutions.

2. Set Up and Test Your New Method Early

Don’t wait until the deadline is looming. Once you’ve selected your new provider, set it up and conduct a test pay run for super payments well before 30 June 2026. This gives you time to iron out any issues with employee data, fund details, or payment processing before you’re relying on the new system under Payday Super’s tighter deadlines.

Make sure you understand how to handle rejected contributions and error alerts through your new provider — these will be more time-sensitive under the new rules.

3. Verify Your Employee Super Data

Accurate employee super fund information is essential for a smooth transition. Before migrating to a new system, confirm that the following details are correct for every employee:

Super fund name and USI (Unique Superannuation Identifier)
Member number
Employee personal details (name, date of birth, TFN)

Incorrect or outdated details are one of the most common causes of failed payments, and under Payday Super’s seven-business-day window, there’s far less room for error.

4. Download Your SBSCH Records

This is a step many businesses overlook — and it’s one you absolutely cannot skip. After 30 June 2026, you will lose access to the SBSCH entirely, including all transaction history. You’ll need these records for future audits, employee queries, and compliance purposes.

Here’s how to download your records, as outlined by the ATO:

Transaction history:

Log in to the SBSCH via ATO Online Services or Online Services for Business.
Go to the Payment Instruction tab, then the Historical tab.
Select the relevant period to display payment instruction details.
Click Print friendly version.
Save the files securely.

Employee records:

Go to the Employees tab.
Filter for All, Active, or Inactive employees.
Update the Results per page dropdown to 100.
If you have more than 100 employees, use page navigation to view additional records.
Expand each employee record using the down arrow to view their fund details.
Save the information as a PDF for use when transferring details to your new system.

Store all downloaded records safely and securely — you may need them for years to come.

5. Make Your Final SBSCH Payment

The ATO recommends that your super payment for the January–March 2026 quarter (due 28 April 2026) be the last payment you make through the SBSCH. This gives you a full quarter to settle into your new system before Payday Super officially kicks in on 1 July.

Remember: the April–June 2026 quarter payment, due 28 July 2026, cannot be processed through the SBSCH as the service will already be closed.

What Happens If You Don’t Transition in Time?

Failing to move away from the SBSCH before the deadline could have real consequences for your business:

You won’t be able to make super payments. Once the SBSCH closes, there is no grace period. If you don’t have an alternative in place, you won’t have a way to pay your employees’ super.

You risk non-compliance with Payday Super. Late or missed super payments will trigger the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC), which includes the unpaid super amount, interest, and administrative fees.

You may lose access to your records. According to the Australian Taxation Office, transaction history from the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House will no longer be available after its closure on 1 July 2026, so employers should download any necessary records before that date.

The Bottom Line

The SBSCH served small businesses well for many years, but the move to Payday Super requires a more capable solution. The good news is that you likely already have options available through your payroll software, super fund, or a commercial clearing house.

The key is to act early. Choose your alternative, test it thoroughly, download your SBSCH records, and give yourself plenty of breathing room before the 30 June 2026 deadline.

If you need help navigating the transition or getting your payroll systems ready for Payday Super, we’re here to help. Get in touch with our team to find out how Access can support your business through the change.

This article is intended as general information only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. For guidance specific to your business circumstances, consult a registered tax professional or visit the ATO’s Payday Super page.