Move from ‘doing the books’ to helping shape businesses
Payday Super is coming, and it’s changing how employers pay super.
For accountants and bookkeepers, this isn’t just another compliance update. Payday Super will touch payroll, cash flow and day-to-day operations for almost every small business in the country.
The change is scheduled during an already busy time of year (EOFY), which means your clients will need you more than ever. It’s a moment to step up, guide, and advise clients on how they can prepare for this legislation change.
What’s changing and why
Currently, most employers pay superannuation quarterly, often at the last possible moment. Under Payday Super, they’ll need to pay super at the same time as wages, and those payments must reach employees’ super funds within seven business days.
The goal of this change is to:
- Help employees grow their super balances faster.
- Reduce unpaid or missing super contributions.
- Make the system fairer, more transparent and harder to exploit.
To prepare, the government’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) will close on 1 July 2026, and employers will need to find new ways to make compliant, timely payments.
Why Payday Super matters for SME business owners
Most small business owners run with tight cash flow. For years, quarterly super payments have given them a bit of breathing space, but Payday Super removes that buffer. Suddenly, every payroll run, whether it’s weekly, fortnightly or monthly, also includes super.
That means:
- Cash will be going out more frequently
- Payment approvals must happen faster.
- Systems may need upgrading to handle real-time super and Single Touch Payroll (STP) integration.
- Expect more admin pressure, especially for smaller teams.
In short, it’s not business as usual. MYOB research suggests that around one in five SMEs could struggle with the cash flow impact of Payday Super, especially while inflation and borrowing costs stay high. And when small business owners start to worry about compliance, cash or payroll complexity, their accountant or bookkeeper is usually the first person they turn to.
Payday Super is a genuine advisory opportunity for accountants
According to MYOB’s 2025 Accounting Industry Monitor, 85% of practices believe that automated client onboarding creates a better client experience, and 65% of forward-looking firms operate in a full-service advisory model.
These figures matter in the context of Payday Super, because they highlight two things:
- Your clients expect more than “We’ll just file it.”
- You, as the advisor, are being judged on how easily you can help them transition and adapt.
In other words, clients are ready for proactive advice, and the numbers suggest you’ll stand out if you deliver it.
Here are four key opportunities:
1. Have meaningful cash flow conversations
Payday Super will force clients to think differently about cash flow. Instead of setting money aside quarterly, they’ll need to manage smaller, more frequent super payments.
That’s your cue to sit down and model what that looks like:
- How will regular super payments affect their working capital?
- Is their pay cycle (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) still the right fit?
- Do they need to build a buffer or adjust invoice timing?
This is the kind of tangible, practical work that delivers measurable value. It’s a great way to deepen your relationship and position your practice as a financial partner, as opposed to a compliance processor.
2. Review systems and processes before they break
Many small businesses are still using older payroll setups that aren’t designed for real-time super payments. And some rely on the SBSCH, which will soon be gone. That’s an opening to help clients modernise their systems.
If they’re using MYOB Payroll, you can help them turn on the integrated Pay Super functionality, so wages and super are paid together within payroll. For clients using other software, you may need to advise on system upgrades or provider switches before the SBSCH closes.
A simple audit of payroll workflows can uncover a lot, including outdated settings, inconsistent pay codes and missing employee fund details. Fixing these issues now saves admin headaches later, and demonstrates to clients that you’re proactive.
3. Redesign your own compliance workflow
Payday Super doesn’t just affect clients, it changes how you work too. With more frequent payments, you’ll need to review how your practice internally handles payroll checks and reporting cycles and consider incorporating super payment checks into every payroll review.
By tightening your own workflows, you’ll be better prepped to handle the increased advisory and compliance load, and deliver faster, more confident support to clients.
4. Turn advice into a structured service
Advisory doesn’t have to be a buzzword, it can be a line item. For example, you could consider launching a Payday Super Ready Package that includes:
- Payroll audit and super integration checks
- A cash-flow modelling session
- Implementation plan and training for staff
- Ongoing quarterly review (optional add-on)
You could host webinars, record short explainer videos, or send an email campaign covering key changes. Rather than looking at it as charging more for compliance, it’s about offering a high-value service that clients genuinely need and will happily pay for because it saves them time, stress and risk.
The bigger picture
For accountants and bookkeepers, Payday Super opens a clear advisory door. It’s a chance to deepen client relationships, have more strategic conversations, and reinforce your role as a trusted business partner.
Some clients may see this as another compliance headache or want to wait for the final details before worrying. But with your guidance, it can be a positive, stress-free shift. Explain why early preparation matters, highlight the risks of delay, and guide them through manageable next steps.
This is your opportunity to move beyond ‘doing the books’ and start shaping how clients run their businesses. Show them how integrated systems, like MYOB Payroll + Pay Super, where accounting, payroll and super work together, can simplify compliance, automate payments, and reduce errors. With real-time visibility and smarter cash flow management, clients can make confident business decisions.
Take advantage of the upcoming shift
Payday Super reforms are now legislated and the direction is clear. Waiting until mid-2026 will only make things harder for your clients, and busier for you.
As accountants and bookkeepers, you can lead the conversation around Payday Super. You can use this shift to start deeper conversations, modernise systems, and show the full value of your expertise.
Click here to learn more about Payday Super.
Information provided in this article is of a general nature and does not consider your personal situation. It does not constitute legal, financial, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as a statement of law, policy or advice. You should consider whether this information is appropriate to your needs and, if necessary, seek independent advice. This information is only accurate at the time of publication. Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained on this webpage, MYOB disclaims, to the extent permitted by law, all liability for the information contained on this webpage or any loss or damage suffered by any person directly or indirectly through relying on this information.
