What is Single Touch Payroll (STP)?

STP is the ATO's real-time payroll reporting: every pay run sends wages, tax and super data directly to the ATO through your payroll software. It is mandatory for employers, and it is also why payroll errors are visible immediately.

How often do I pay superannuation?

Super guarantee contributions are currently due at least quarterly, by the 28th day after each quarter ends, and paying late means the costly super guarantee charge. We track the deadlines and the current rate so you never miss either.

Contractor or employee: does it matter for payroll?

Enormously. Misclassifying an employee as a contractor can trigger back pay of super, PAYG and penalties. The distinction depends on the whole working relationship, not the invoice. If you are unsure, ask before the first payment, not after.

How is payroll priced at MAS?

Payroll is delivered as part of the Bookkeeping & Payroll service, priced as a fixed monthly fee based on headcount and pay frequency, agreed upfront.

Part of Bookkeeping & Payroll

Payroll that runs itself while you run the business

Q: What do I need before hiring my first employee?

PAYG withholding registration, payroll software connected to Single Touch Payroll, a super fund process, workers compensation insurance, and clarity on the award or agreement that sets minimum pay and conditions. We set up the payroll side and point you to the right sources for the employment law side.

Wages, super, PAYG withholding and Single Touch Payroll handled every cycle inside our Bookkeeping & Payroll service. Your team gets paid correctly and on time, and the ATO gets exactly what it expects.

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The short answer

Employing people means four moving parts every cycle: wages (correct rates), PAYG withholding (tax taken from pay), superannuation (paid on time, at least quarterly) and Single Touch Payroll (real-time reporting to the ATO). Get one wrong and the others notice. At MAS, payroll is delivered inside our Bookkeeping & Payroll service, so all four run on the same clean books.

What's included

Every payroll obligation, covered

Pay runs, every cycle

Weekly, fortnightly or monthly: wages calculated, payslips issued, payments ready to authorise. On schedule without you chasing it.

Single Touch Payroll

Every pay run reported to the ATO in real time through compliant software, plus the end-of-year STP finalisation your employees need for their tax returns.

Superannuation on time

Contributions calculated at the current rate and paid before the quarterly cutoffs. Late super triggers the super guarantee charge, one of the most expensive mistakes an employer can make.

PAYG withholding

Tax withheld correctly from every pay and reported on your BAS, with new-employee TFN declarations processed properly.

Onboarding & offboarding

New hires set up right (tax, super choice, records) and final pays calculated correctly, including leave payouts.

Leave & records

Annual and sick leave tracked, payroll records kept the way Fair Work and the ATO require. Everything auditable, nothing in someone's head.

Getting started

From first hire to autopilot

STEP 01

Setup

PAYG registration, payroll software with STP, super process and employee records configured before the first payday.

STEP 02

Run & report

We process every cycle: wages, payslips, STP, super accruals. You approve payments; everything else happens.

STEP 03

Close the year

STP finalisation, super reconciled, payroll data flowing straight into your accounts and tax return.

Small business manager running payroll software while employees relax on payday

Payday, handled

Your team paid right while you stay focused

Wages, super and STP run in the background every cycle, and the ATO receives exactly what it expects.

Payroll FAQ

Employer questions

What do I need before hiring my first employee?

PAYG withholding registration, STP-ready payroll software, a super process, workers compensation insurance, and clarity on the applicable award. We set up the payroll side; setting it up before the first payday is far cheaper than fixing it after. See also Startup Accounting.

What is Single Touch Payroll?

Real-time payroll reporting to the ATO: every pay run sends wages, tax and super data automatically. Mandatory for employers, and the reason payroll errors are visible immediately.

How often do I pay super?

At least quarterly, by the 28th after each quarter ends. Late payments trigger the super guarantee charge (not deductible, plus admin and interest). We track deadlines and the current rate for you.

Contractor or employee: does it matter?

Enormously. Misclassification can mean back pay of super, PAYG and penalties. The whole working relationship decides it, not the invoice. Ask before the first payment.

How is payroll priced?

As part of Bookkeeping & Payroll: a fixed monthly fee based on headcount and pay frequency, agreed upfront, often bundled into Small Business Accounting.

Hire with confidence, pay without stress

Book a consultation: we review your payroll setup (or set it up from zero) inside your bookkeeping package.

Book a consultation