Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Enter your details below and create a login
Single-touch payroll (STP) requires that when employers pay employees their salary or wages, superannuation payments and PAYG withholding amounts are automatically reported to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as part of payroll processing.
The STP does not change dates for payments to the ATO. However, employers may choose to pay their PAYG withholding at the same time they pay their staff. This may have cashflow implications.
The STP data will allow the ATO to pre-fill the PAYG amount on your Business Activity Statement.
As part of STP, employers will also no longer be required to submit an annual PAYG report to the ATO and may no longer need to provide payment summaries (Group Certificates) to employees. Employers will be required to lodge a finalisation declaration at the end of each financial year. Once this is completed employees will have access to their payroll information via their myGov account and this information should be pre-populated in their taxation return.
A failure to lodge the approved form will attract an administrative penalty.
This system is being implemented gradually and not all employers are yet required to use the system. It is important, however, that all employers make themselves aware of the STP system as they will have to use it in the near future.
As of 1 July 2017, any employer regardless of size can voluntarily use STP. Your payroll system may be STP compatible and you could elect to use the system now. The ATO may be contacting employers soon to encourage them to start using STP voluntarily.
From 1 July 2018, STP became compulsory for ‘substantial employers’ with more than 20 employees. There is a process to apply for deferral if there are good reasons why you cannot start STP reporting.
The number of employees you had on 1 April 2018 will determine if you have 20 or more employees for commencement purposes. This is a head count of employees, not a count of full-time equivalent employees.
From 1 July 2019, employers with 19 or fewer employees will also be required to use STP. The process for applying for a deferral should also apply to these employers.
There may be special arrangements for micro employers (1–4 employees) that allow them to have their registered tax agent report quarterly to the ATO on behalf of the micro employer.
Employers with 20 or more staff must ensure their payroll system is STP enabled. This may involve additional cost to change to an ATO compatible software-based payroll system. If you have not yet started using STP you must seek urgent assistance or apply for a deferral if you have not already done so.
Employers with 19 or fewer employees should now start preparing to use STP. It is recommended that members check with their payroll system provider and their accountant to determine whether they are ready to use the STP system and make arrangements to prepare for STP.
The Australian government has announced that employers will not be forced to purchase payroll software with STP compatibility. Instead, software developers have been invited to develop software that may be used by employers for STP at a cost of $10 or less per month.
The ATO has published a list of software providers that intend to provide software for this purpose.
There is a process for applying for a deferral of commencing STP. The ATO website lists some reasons as being factors that will be considered by the ATO.
Further information about this process is available on the ATO website. You should get advice from your accountant or payroll service provider before making any application for a deferral.
No matter the size of the job, a watertight building contract is critical to protect your business, and the current climate presents a great opportunity to go digital with your contracts.
Supporting building professionals with custom built services and products.