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Moving from Quarterly Super to Payday Super – 2026 Guide

From 1 July 2026, businesses moving from quarterly super to Payday Super will need to change how they manage super payments, with the SBSCH also closing at the same time.


SBSCH Is Closing – Key Dates

The SBSCH closes permanently on 30 June 2026.

The ATO recommends making your final payment for the January-March 2026 quarter (due 28 April 2026) through the SBSCH.

After that:

  • You won’t be able to use it for the April-June quarter
  • You’ll lose access to all records

Before it closes:

  • Finalise payments
  • Download reports
  • Check employee super details

Moving from Quarterly Super to Payday Super – What to Expect

Many businesses will make their final quarterly payment in April and switch straight to Payday Super from 1 July.

This is where the biggest adjustment happens.

What changes

You’re moving from:

  • Paying super quarterly, to
  • Paying super every pay run

The system side is usually manageable – the real shift is timing and cash flow.


Why it can feel tight

  • Cash leaves your business much sooner
  • There’s no longer a 2-3 month buffer
  • Payments become frequent and consistent

It’s not double payment – but it can feel like it.


How to make it easier

  • Start processing super through your payroll system before July
  • Treat super as a regular payroll cost
  • Update your cash flow forecasts
  • Align super payments with each pay run

What Is Payday Super?

From 1 July 2026:

  • Super must be paid at the same time as wages
  • Funds must be received within 7 business days
  • Contributions are 12% of qualifying earnings

Late or incorrect payments may trigger penalties.


Paying Super Through Payroll Systems

Most modern payroll platforms already support Payday Super requirements.

For example, Xero’s Auto Super feature allows you to pay super directly from payroll, helping ensure compliance and reduce manual processing.

Regardless of the system you use, you should:

  • Confirm employee super details are complete
  • Ensure your payroll setup supports SuperStream
  • Test super payments before July

Choosing an Alternative to SBSCH

Your options include:

  • Payroll software with built-in super functionality
  • New payroll providers
  • Commercial clearing houses or super funds

Cash Flow Impact When Moving to Payday Super

This is the biggest shift.

Instead of holding super for up to 90 days, you’ll now pay it within days of each payroll.

What this means:

  • Less working capital in the business
  • Wages and super effectively paid together
  • More frequent cash outflows

What to do:

  • Update cash flow forecasts
  • Build a buffer
  • Align income and payroll timing where possible

Final Thoughts

Payday Super is a major change, but it’s manageable with preparation.

Start early, test your systems and don’t rely on the SBSCH past April 2026.


Need Help?

If you need help setting up super payments or preparing for Payday Super, our team can help you get ready before 1 July.

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