In the 2019–20 Budget, the government announced that Single Touch Payroll (STP) would be expanded to include additional information.
The expansion of STP, also known as STP Phase 2, will reduce reporting burden for employers who need to report information about
their employees to multiple government agencies.
The mandatory start date was 1 January 2022 however Xero Payroll users obtained an extension until 31 December 2022. STP Phase 2
will be rolled out in phases:
| Stage one: |
The first stage will start being available within Xero from mid-April onwards. This will include updates to the way new employee records are set up in payroll, ensuring STP Phase 2 compliance. |
| Stage two: |
The second stage will begin rolling out within Xero mid-year. This will extend the set up process to enable the transition of existing employee payroll records to STP Phase 2 compliance. This will provide ample time for you to ensure all employees in your business are correctly set up for STP2 Phase 2 compliance. |
| Stage three: |
The final stage will be available in the second half of this year. It will see the new pay items from STP 2 finalised in Xero, with product support to review existing pay items that may need to be changed to those stipulated by STP Phase 2. |
After overwhelming demand and sold-out sessions in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Mornington in 2025, we’re inviting expressions of interest for 2026. If you missed out earlier or are ready to dive into hands-on automation training, we’re considering additional sessions in various locations across Australia in 2026.
LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - MELBOURNE CBD
15 & 16 December 2025
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT. Tailored for accounting and finance
professionals, bookkeepers and small business owners, this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and
optimise VBA scripts, and deploy robust automation solutions independently.
LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - SYDNEY
11 & 12 December 2025
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT. Tailored for accounting and finance
professionals, bookkeepers and small business owners, this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and
optimise VBA scripts, and deploy robust automation solutions independently.
With more Australians living well into their 80s and beyond, managing your longevity risk is more important than ever. Learn how income products like annuities can support your lifestyle for the long haul – no matter how long your retirement lasts.
Retirement isn’t one-size-fits-all. We examine the three stages of retirement – and how each one affects your spending, planning and financial wellbeing.
Understanding the 3 stages of retirement and what they mean for your money, and how to future proof your retirement income.
LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - ADELAIDE CBD
8 & 9 December 2025
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT. Tailored for accounting and finance
professionals, bookkeepers and small business owners, this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and
optimise VBA scripts, and deploy robust automation solutions independently.
In most cases, car loans in Australia can be paid out before the end of the loan term. However, depending on your loan type and lender, early repayment fees may apply.
Debt consolidation involves rolling several existing debts into a new single loan. Instead of managing five different repayments.
Choosing a principal and interest loan from the outset can lead to long-term savings and financial security.
Australia's housing market is heating up with property prices across capital cities rising at their fastest rate in almost four years.
This is a great time to explore your mortgage options. You may need to refinance your current loan or take out an investment loan.
Gold Coast unit prices have overtaken Sydney's for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the Queensland coastal market.
Equipment finance makes the most sense when it helps your business grow. If new machinery will increase productivity, open up new contracts, or allow you to expand your services.
SMART Business Solutions is proud to announce its recognition as the winner of Excellence in Local Community Connection (Medium–Large Business) and Excellence in Access and Inclusion at the 2025 Mornington Peninsula Business Excellence Awards.
A good rule of thumb is to match the finance term to the useful life of the asset. This ensures your repayments align with the equipment’s value to your business.
It might seem like a clever strategy - moving surplus business cash into your personal mortgage offset account to save on home loan interest, then shifting it back to the company around tax time. But there’s a catch: the ATO sees this, and they’re not fans.
Commercial property has rebounded strongly, reaching $15.9 billion year-to-date through the second quarter of 2025.
Retail has positioned itself as one of the strongest performing sectors in the commercial property market.
With $7 billion in Games-related infrastructure investment already underway, demand for office space in engineering, construction and professional services sectors is increasing substantially.
Running a small business has always been personal. Every sale, every setback, every sleepless night - it all comes back to the same person: the owner.
A staggering 93% of small business owners reported higher costs this year, while 64% saw profits fall. Taxes, wages, and insurance top the list of pressures, with taxes ranked as the number one cost by half of respondents of a recent report.
Australia’s small business sector has always been defined by its resilience - but the latest Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) and CommBank Small Business Perspectives Report 2025 shows that resilience is being tested like never before.
ONLINE WEBINAR
23 February 2023 // 12:30pm
In our upcoming webinar we'll be diving into some common exit
strategies for successful succession planning, the pros and cons, and what you need to consider before making a decision.
You’ve worked hard for what you have – it’s time to protect it for the next generation.
ONLINE Webinar: Insurance Stripped Bare - What you really need to protect your assets
It doesn’t matter how much you have. It’s what you do with it that counts.
Not just for young entrepreneurs, this webinar is designed for anyone who is within their first 2 years of a new business to ensure you've got the most important operational, legal and financial structures in place.
