Big Super Changes Coming in 2026 (and what it means for your business)
From 1 July 2026, superannuation rules in Australia are getting a pretty major refresh under the Australian Taxation Office - and yes, it will change how and when you pay super for your team.
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Super will move to ‘pay-as-you-pay’
Forget quarterly super payments. In the past, you could run your weekly payroll, and record super owing, but make one payment at the end of every quarter.
From 2026, you’ll generally need to pay super within 7 business days of each payday (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly). For people engaging sub-contractors, this means within 7 days of paying their invoice, when applicable.
So instead of super being a ‘quarterly admin task’, it becomes part of your regular payroll rhythm, like sending invoices or paying contractors.
If you’re a creative running a studio, freelancing team, or small business, here’s what you need to know without the jargon overload.
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Late super = more painful consequences
The ATO is tightening things up.
If super is paid late, expect:
- Higher charges
- Extra penalties
- More compliance pressure overall
In short, timing matters more than ever.
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The Small Business Super Clearing House is retiring
If you’ve been using the SBSCH to manage super payments, heads up! It will be shut down from 1 July 2026.
You’ll need to move to:
- Your payroll software, or
- Direct payments through super funds
It’s a good idea to check this early so there’s no scramble later. We recommend using Xero software for this - they have a full accounting software option. This move may justify setting up a full version of Xero to get bank feeds, send invoices, record bills, and do all of the prep (instead of using spreadsheets). Another option is to consider a lighter model, just focused on payroll (Xero Payroll) and then keep the spreadsheet for income and expenses… but this could get messy to be honest.
What this means for creatives + small businesses
If your world is already full of deadlines, shoots, gigs, clients, and creative chaos - this adds one more thing to sync with your payroll.
The main shifts:
- More frequent cash outflows
- Less ‘set and forget’ super
- A need for tighter payroll systems
A quick heads-up (future you will thank you)
Start chatting with your payroll software provider now. Most platforms will eventually roll out updates, but getting ahead means less stress later.
Also worth doing:
Revisit your cash flow planning, so super doesn’t catch you off guard when it becomes more frequent.
Final thought
This change is really about getting super paid closer to when people earn it, which is good for employees long-term.
However, for business owners, especially creatives, it means you’re going to need a little more structure around payroll, so your creativity doesn’t get interrupted by admin surprises.
