As we begin the 2026–27 financial year, now is the perfect time to review your business compliance obligations, update payroll settings, and prepare for key lodgement deadlines.
REMINDER: Payday Super Has Arrived
The largest payroll change for employers this year is the introduction of Payday Super from 1 July 2026.
Instead of paying super quarterly, employers must now generally ensure super contributions reach employees’ super funds within 7 business days of each payday.
Key points:
- The SG rate remains 12%.
- Super must generally be paid each pay cycle.
- Payroll systems and processes may require updating.
- The ATO will have increased visibility over unpaid or late super.
Businesses should review cash-flow management and payroll procedures to ensure they are ready for the new requirements.
Here’s a summary of the upcoming important dates business owners should be aware of.
Single Touch Payroll Finalisation
Employers reporting through Single Touch Payroll must finalise their payroll data for the 2025–26 financial year by 14 July 2026 (unless special rules apply for closely held payees).
Before finalising, make sure you:
- Reconcile wages, PAYG withholding, and superannuation.
- Review any reportable fringe benefits.
- Check bonuses, commissions and allowances have been included.
- Check all employees have been included, including terminated staff and casual employees.
- Check your payroll reports agree back to your General Ledger expense accounts.
- Check your General Ledger clearing accounts are all in order.
- Confirm you are finalising the correct financial year.
Once finalised, employees will be able to access their income statements through myGov and lodge their tax returns.
Minimum Wage and Award Rate Increases
From 1 July 2026:
- The National Minimum Wage increases to $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week).
- Modern award minimum wages increase by 4.75%.
The increase applies from the first full pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2026.
Find out more here: [fairwork.gov.au], [fairwork.gov.au]
Employers should:
- Review employee pay rates.
- Update payroll software.
- Ensure award classifications remain correct.
Workers' Compensation Wage Declarations
Workers Compensation requires vary between States and Territories.
You need to ensure have the appropriate level of cover in each State/Territory.
Queensland employers should shortly receive their WorkCover renewal notices.
It’s important to be aware of who you must cover, and what payments you must declare as wages. Its important to review:
- Total wages paid during 2025-26
- Contractor arrangements
- Reportable fringe benefits
- Superannuation amounts to be included
You can find out more about this on WorkCover’s website: Policy renewal and declaring wages | WorkSafe.qld.gov.au
You’ll need to:
- Declare wages paid during 2025–26: Wage declarations due 31 August
- Pay your premium: Final premium payments due by 30 September
Taxable Payments Annual Report (TPAR)
Businesses that pay contractors for certain services may need to lodge a Taxable Payments Annual Report (TPAR) by 28 August 2026.
Industries commonly affected include:
- Building and construction
- Cleaning
- Courier and road freight
- Information technology (IT)
- Security, investigation and surveillance services
Make sure contractor records contain:
- Correct ABNs
- Business names
- Business contact details and addresses
- Total payments made during the year
Most accounting software programs include a TPAR reporting function – so make sure you’ve got that set up and working properly. Depending on your software, you may be able to either lodge directly with the ATO from the software, or generate a report from which you can prepare and submit the information online via the ATO Business Portal.
The TPAR lodgement deadline is 28 August each year.
📅 July Deadlines
21 July 2026: Queensland Annual Payroll Tax Return due (varies per State – check your obligations).
21 July 2026: Monthly Business Activity Statement (BAS) due.
28 July 2026: Quarterly PAYG Income Tax Instalments (for non-BAS lodgers) due.
28 July 2026: Quarterly Superannuation Guarantee (for April-June 26 payment due – the last payment due under the old system before Payday Super started.
📅 August Deadlines
21 August 2026: Monthly Business Activity Statement (BAS) due for lodgement and payment.
25 August 2026: Quarterly Business Activity Statement (BAS) due.
28 August 2026: Taxable payments annual report (TPAR) due.
31 August 2026: WorkCover Annual Renewal/Declaration due.
FInal Tip: Start the New Financial Year Strong
July is one of the busiest compliance months of the year, with STP finalisations, payroll updates and superannuation obligations, all demanding attention.
Now is the ideal time to review your payroll processes, ensure your records are up to date, and make sure you’re ready for the year ahead.
It’s also a good time to check whether you are liable for Payroll Tax, if you’re not already registered.
The good news is you don’t have to navigate it alone.
If you’re unsure how any of these changes apply to your business, please get in touch. A quick conversation now can help avoid costly mistakes and last-minute stress later.
Here’s to a successful, compliant and profitable 2026–27 financial year. 🚀
