How super is paid¶

Paying super is not like writing a cheque or handing over cash. Super has to be paid electronically, in a set digital format, so it reaches the right person's super account with the right information attached.

That standard way of paying is called SuperStream. Every employer paying super uses it, usually through a clearing house or their payroll software.

In one line

Super is paid electronically through SuperStream — a standard format that sends both the money and the data to each employee's fund, usually via a clearing house or payroll software.

Why this matters¶

Employees can be in many different super funds. Without a common method, an employer would have to deal with each fund in its own way. SuperStream gives everyone one consistent way to pay, so the money and the details reach the right accounts. Knowing how this works helps you understand what your payroll software or clearing house is doing on your behalf.

What you will learn¶

How super is actually paid to funds
What SuperStream is and why it exists
The role of a clearing house or payroll software

Understanding the concept¶

When you pay super, two things need to travel together:

the money — the super amount for each employee, and
the data — who it is for, which fund, and which member account.

The ATO explains that SuperStream is a standard that requires employers to send both the payment and the related data to super funds electronically in a standard format. Because everyone uses the same format, the information can move consistently across the whole super system — between employers, funds and the ATO.

Most employers do not send to each fund themselves. Instead they use one of two things:

a clearing house — a service that takes a single payment from you, with all your employees' super details, and splits it out to each employee's fund for you, or
payroll software that is built to send super the SuperStream way.

The ATO describes the clearing house method like this: you send one electronic payment with all your employees' super data, and the clearing house passes the right amount and details on to each fund. That means you can pay many funds in a single transaction instead of chasing each one separately.

SuperStream exists so there is one consistent way to pay super to many different funds. It links each payment to the right member using a reference number, so the money and the data stay matched together and the right person gets credited.

For accountants & bookkeepers

The ATO notes that some payroll systems handle both the data and the payment, while others handle the data only — in which case the money may still need to go to each fund separately. It is worth checking with the software provider that the system is SuperStream-compliant. The ATO also flags that the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House closed on 1 July 2026, so employers who relied on it need an alternative SuperStream option. Confirm the current options with the ATO.

Example¶

A café employs several people, and they are spread across a few different super funds. Instead of contacting each fund one by one, the owner sends a single payment through their payroll software with everyone's super details attached. The SuperStream data tells the system who each amount is for and which fund it goes to. Each employee's fund receives the right amount, matched to the right person — all from one action by the owner.

Common mistakes¶

Trying to pay super by cash or cheque — super must be paid electronically the SuperStream way.
Assuming every payroll system sends both the money and the data — some send data only, so check what yours does.
Sending money to a fund without the matching data — the fund needs the details to credit the right member.
Using incorrect fund or member details — wrong details can stop the super reaching the right account.

How this works in myaccountant¶

In the app — myaccountant lets you pay super to your employees' funds electronically, sending the payment and the required details together. You add each employee's super fund and member details, then pay super from within the app, and myaccountant keeps a record of what was paid, to which fund, and when — so you have proof each contribution was sent.

Key points¶

Super must be paid electronically, not by cash or cheque.
SuperStream is the standard format for paying super.
SuperStream sends both the money and the data to each employee's fund.
Most employers pay through a clearing house or payroll software.
A clearing house lets you pay many funds in a single transaction.
SuperStream exists to give everyone one consistent way to pay many funds.

Learn next¶

General information only — not tax, super or financial advice.

Did this answer your question?