Employment management platform Employment Hero has partnered with account-to-account payments provider Zepto and superannuation messaging provider OZEDI to develop a first-of-its-kind embedded clearing solution ahead of the reform’s 1 July 2026 start date.

The partnership underpins Employment Hero’s new HeroClear system — an automated super clearing tool set to launch in Q1 2026. The platform will eliminate the manual steps and delays between payroll and super fund payment, giving employers a verified, end-to-end proof-of-payment trail within the new seven-day window.

HeroClear uses OZEDI’s SuperStream connection to verify fund details before payment and Zepto’s real-time payments technology, powered by the New Payments Platform (NPP), to move contributions instantly. Embedded directly within Employment Hero’s payroll system, it removes the need for separate clearing houses or banking portals. Existing bank transfers can take up to three business days, creating silent delays and error loops that expose employers to risk under the new regime.

Without automation and live status tracking, many employers risk unknowingly breaching the seven-day rule — which carries penalties of up to 60 per cent administrative uplift — even when delays stem from external gateway or fund errors.

Employment Hero CEO Ben Thompson said the collaboration aims to reduce these compliance risks by ensuring small and medium-sized businesses can meet the new obligations as the wider ecosystem transitions.

“Right now, the Bill expects SMBs to Payday Super right on day one, even while parts of the system that employers rely on are still being upgraded,” Mr Thompson said.

“At the same time, hundreds of thousands of SMBs will need to move off the ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House, set to close 1 July 2026. That’s a big ask, especially when you consider the 60 per cent increase in admin overheads and $124,000 cashflow impact the average SMB will face on day one.”

“We continue to advocate for a short phase-in for SMBs and legislated obligations on other industry parties like funds and gateways, but we’re also building the solutions to make compliance practical even before the 1 July deadline,” he said.

“By validating fund details up-front, moving money in real-time, and providing live confirmations and a single audit trail, SMBs will see fewer errors, faster settlement and clear proof of action to meet new requirements. That means better outcomes for business and employees alike.”

Chris Jewell, President and Co-Founder at Zepto, said Employment Hero’s approach demonstrates the potential of technology-driven compliance.

“Employment Hero is showing what’s possible under the new Payday Super framework, taking a proactive, technology-first approach that gives Australian businesses confidence to meet these new expectations,” Mr Jewell said.

“After processing Australia’s first real-time super payment with OZEDI in 2023, we’re proud to extend that innovation through this partnership. By embedding Zepto’s real-time payment solutions within HeroClear, Employment Hero is leading the way — unlocking automation, transparency and instant settlement that make compliance faster, simpler and more reliable.”

David Field, Director at OZEDI, said the collaboration reflects a major leap forward for an industry process that has seen little change in more than a decade.

“OZEDI has been in the business of handling large volumes of superannuation contribution data since 2013. The industry-wide process has remained largely unchanged for more than a decade, but technology such as the NPP and our new data and payee verification services creates a whole new experience for employers,” Mr Field said.

“The integration of OZEDI’s services with Employment Hero’s advanced technology and vision, plus Zepto’s NPP payment services, has created a benchmark for the industry.”

By embedding an end-to-end automated workflow directly into payroll, HeroClear consolidates clearing, payments, and fund validation within one system — eliminating manual uploads and external portals.

The initiative supports the central goal of Payday Super: to strengthen retirement outcomes for Australian workers while ensuring small businesses can meet their new obligations with confidence.

Businesses can find updates and resources at employmenthero.com/payday-super.