Update on Single Touch Payroll

We recently started using Single Touch Payroll (STP to make it easier for Centrelink customers to report their income.

Employers are required to report employment details and payroll information to the Australian Tax Office every payday through STP. We’re combining the use of this information already reported to government with policy simplification to drive service improvements.

We’re pre-filling employer name and ABN details in Centrelink Online Accounts and the Express Plus Centrelink app. In the next 12-18 months, this will be expanded further.

Into the future income will also progressively be pre-filled for customers, and people will no longer need to calculate their income.

We expect this process to continue to improve, and be implemented for other payroll details, like separation certificates and leave entitlements, including pre-filling new claims. STP will also make it easier for Family Tax Benefit and Child Support customers.

It’s a new way that’s respectful of everyone’s time.

In most cases, having access to payroll information reported through STP will mean employers won’t need to be contacted to confirm employee payroll details. All employers will need to worry about is paying employees, instead of extra administrative burden.

Key to the success of this new way forward will be for employers to make sure they are reporting through STP. More than 780,000 Australian employers are now on board. For those employers who are yet to transition to STP, we encourage you to take full advantage of the benefits it provides.

You can read more on STP here: servicesaustralia.gov.au/organisations/about-us/continuous-improvement-activities/what-single-touch-payroll-means-customers