STP technical working group
Topics discussed at the recent Single Touch Payroll (STP) technical working group included:
- understanding the broader context around Payday Super, including the SuperStream changes
- progress of technical specification documents
- timing of the exposure draft release and concerns from members about meeting the implementation date of 1 July 2026.
A separate working group has been formed to discuss how existing Australian Taxation Office (ATO) guidance on ordinary time earnings can be improved.
SuperStream technical working group
The second round of technical documents and a timeline and roadmap explaining key delivery items have been shared with the technical working group for feedback.
The group is working through the key design scope of items that will deliver improved error messaging, reduce the number of errors and enable faster payments.
Items under consultation within the STP and SuperStream technical working groups fall within the ATO's administrative scope and do not require legislation to change.
Industry feedback on key implementation issues
Members discussed a range of issues around what they view as the key implementation areas for their respective industries. Issues raised included:
- Significant investment is required for digital service providers (DSPs) to build STP and SuperStream changes into their software products, without understanding the broader impacts of the elements of Payday Super that are dependent on legislative changes.
- DSPs will need full technical documents so the changes can be scoped and costed before they allocate resources.
- Members expressed concern that the implementation date of 1 July 2026 is unachievable, and a longer transition period is needed.
The working group will not meet once the federal election is announced and government agencies enter caretaker mode.
Attendees
|
Organisation |
Member or Attendee |
|---|---|
|
ATO |
Emma Rosenzweig (Chair), Superannuation and Employer Obligations |
|
ATO |
Amanda Keeble, Frontline Risk and Strategy |
|
ATO |
Justin Micale, Superannuation and Employer Obligations |
|
ATO |
Karen Blok, Enterprise Solutions and Technology |
|
ATO |
Naomi Westwood, Superannuation and Employer Obligations |
|
ATO |
Peta Lonergan, Superannuation and Employer Obligations |
|
Access Software |
Phillipa Durante |
|
Australian Bookkeepers Association |
Peter Thorp |
|
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
Peter Grist |
|
Australian Payroll Association |
Jasmine Fernance |
|
Australian Retirement Trust |
Matt Dickson |
|
Automatic Data Processing Limited |
Graham Coutts |
|
Bluebird Accounting |
Julian Shimmin |
|
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand |
Tony Negline |
|
Council of Small Business Organisations Australia |
Adele Sutton |
|
Digital Service Providers Australia New Zealand |
Maggie Leese |
|
Financial Services Council |
Kirsten Samuels |
|
Genesis Accounting |
Pat McCarthy |
|
Giuntabell |
Nunzio Giunta |
|
Institute of Certified Bookkeepers |
Matthew Addison |
|
KPMG |
Andy Larmour |
|
SuperChoice |
Nikki Murray |
|
Super Members Council |
Kate Brown |
|
The Association of Payroll Specialists |
Jason Low |
|
The Tax Institute |
Robyn Jacobson |
|
Treasury |
Adam Hawkins |
|
Treasury |
Benjamin Murphy |
| Woolworths | Coral Hargrave |
|
Xero |
Erin Adams |
Guest attendees
|
Organisation |
Attendee |
|---|---|
|
ATO |
Amanda Keeble, Frontline Business Improvement |
|
ATO |
Anne Vandenhurk, Policy, Analysis and Legislation |
|
ATO |
Jason Aitchison, Frontline Services |
|
ATO |
Michael Thompson, Superannuation and Employer Obligations |
|
ATO |
Shane Moore, Superannuation and Employer Obligations |
Apologies list
|
Organisation |
Member |
|---|---|
|
ATO |
Adam O'Grady, Frontline Business Improvement |
|
ATO |
Michelle Allen, Superannuation and Employer Obligations |
|
ATO |
Sheridan Harvey, Policy, Analysis and Legislation |
|
Australian Council of Trade Unions |
Casey Thompson |
|
Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association |
Wes Lambert |
|
Brilliant Admin Solutions |
Kerrie Jarius |
|
Gateway Network Governance Body |
Michelle Bower |
|
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia |
Hans Van Daatselaar |