Super Changes Are Coming For NDIS Participants Who Directly Employ Staff | NDIS | payroll | superannuation | employers
| Free resource | Build your team | Rules for hiring | News
| Article
| NDIS | payroll | superannuation | employers
| Free resource | Build your team | Rules for hiring | News
| Article
If you directly employ your own support workers, there are some important changes coming from 1 July 2026.
These changes are about superannuation, and they matter whether you manage payroll yourself or have someone helping you.
What is changing?
From 1 July 2026, employers will generally need to pay super at the same time as wages, on payday. This is called Payday Super. At the same time, employers will need to use SuperStream, the electronic system for sending super payments and information to super funds.
Many NDIS participants directly employ their own workers so they can have more choice and control over who supports them and how support is delivered.
But direct employment also means taking on employer responsibilities, including paying super correctly.
Some participants use a WPN, or Withholding Payer Number. WPN holders can still use SuperStream, but not all payroll systems or super payment platforms support WPNs. That means some direct employers may need to change systems before 1 July 2026.
Another major change…
Some direct employers currently use the ATO Small Business Super Clearing House to pay super.
That service is closing permanently from 1 July 2026. If you use it now, you will need to move to another option before then.
What does this mean in practice?
In plain English, if you directly employ staff, you need to make sure your payroll and super arrangements are ready for the new rules.
That means checking:
- whether you use an ABN or a WPN ,
- how you currently pay super,
- whether your payroll system can pay super on payday,
- whether your system is SuperStream compliant,
- whether your system supports WPN holders, if that applies to you.
If you leave this until the last minute, you may find that the system you currently use no longer works for your situation.
The good news
These changes do not mean you have to stop directly employing your own workers.
But they do mean you need to get ready.
For NDIS participants who directly employ staff, the smartest thing to do now is check your setup early. If someone helps you with payroll, bookkeeping, or accounting, ask them to confirm whether your current arrangement will still work from 1 July 2026.
What you should do now
If you directly employ staff, now is a good time to:
- check whether you use a WPN or an ABN,
- check whether you currently use the ATO Small Business Super Clearing House,
- ask your payroll provider or adviser whether your system is ready for Payday Super,
- make sure your system can handle WPNs, if relevant,
- start planning now, not in late June 2026.
Helpful ATO information
Payday Super, overview of the new rules
https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/super-for-employers/payday-super/about-payday-super
SuperStream for employers, explains how super must be paid electronically
https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/super-for-employers/paying-super-contributions/how-to-pay-super/superstream-for-employers
Information for WPN holders, important for direct employers without an ABN
https://www.ato.gov.au/tax-and-super-professionals/for-superannuation-professionals/super-funds-newsroom/supporting-wpn-holders-or-employers-with-a-wpn
Small Business Super Clearing House, information about the closure
https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/super-for-employers/paying-super-contributions/how-to-pay-super/small-business-superannuation-clearing-house
Self Manager Hub will be hosting a workshop with representatives from the Australian Tax Office to talk about the upcoming changes on 24 April 2026.