Single Touch Payroll is a way employers report payroll information to the ATO through enabled software. It connects payroll processing with reporting of relevant income, withholding and super information.
What this means in practice
Correct software settings matter, but the underlying pay run still needs to be accurate. Employee details, pay categories and year-to-date balances should be checked. Reporting through STP does not itself pay wages or super to employees’ funds. Those payment steps need their own approval and reconciliation process.
Your next steps
- Check employee details
- Review pay item categories
- Reconcile payroll totals
- Confirm reporting and payment steps separately
Get help with the next step
If this relates to your business, tell us about your current records and the task you need help with. We can explain our service scope and the information needed before work starts.
Official guidance: Fair Work Ombudsman: Pay and wages ↗
General information prepared on 26 September 2026. Rules and individual circumstances can change. Confirm the treatment that applies to you before acting.
Prepared by the Affordable Bookkeeper content team. Our services and practitioner arrangements.
