Changes to SCH Online

What’s changed?

The existing SCH Online platform has been enhanced to become a SuperStream compliant channel for submitting employer contributions. This enhancement includes additional mandatory data fields and new validation rules as defined within the SuperStream Data and Payments standard (2012) that are applicable for contributions processed via SCH Online.

Additional data elements and data validations such as the Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI) or Electronic Service Address (ESA) will become mandatory for choice members under the new legislation for all employers with more than 20 employees after 1 July 2015. SCH Online will enforce mandatory data specifications to ensure that the processing of contributions is SuperStream compliant.

Choice funds
For choice funds that are APRA regulated superannuation funds, employers will need to supply that fund’s USI (Unique Superannuation Identifier). The “SPIN” field previously used to identify APRA-regulated funds in SCH Online has been replaced with USI. The ATO has a Super Fund Lookup service available (accessed via the URL below) to assist employers to collect the required fund data for contributions under SuperStream. http://superfundlookup.gov.au/Opens in new window

Self-Managed Super Funds
For Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF), employers must provide an Electronic Service Address (ESA) eg. AUSPOSTSMSF. The ESA is an alias validated by the ATO (no more than 16 characters long) which is to be used as an additional identifier. The ESA enables an SMSF to receive data messages associated with employer contributions using SuperStream. Employers will need to collect the ESA from their employee. The ATO has published a register of valid SMSF providers (accessed via the URL below).
https://www.ato.gov.au/Super/SuperStream/In-detail/Contributions/SMSF-messaging-service-providers/#RegisterOpens in new window

You can now submit contributions via the following options:

  • Manually entering the details into a grid within the web portal (Existing)
  • Mapping and uploading a contribution file in CSV/XLS/XLSX/TXT format (Existing)
  • Uploading a Contribution file in the ATO SuperStream Alternative File Format* (CSV) (New)

What do you need to do to become SuperStream compliant?

For employers currently registered on SCH Online:

File to Grid
If submitting their contributions through the grid they can continue manually registering their employees online and making contributions using the unique reference details generated on SCH Online.

File upload
If currently submitting contributions by uploading a data file, employers simply need to add the newly legislated mandatory fields - it must contain all mandatory data as per the Data and Payment Standards (2012). Importantly, in addition to those fields already required by SCH Online:

  • Employers will need to add data fields for USI and ESA.
  • Employers will also now have the option to separate Employer additional contributions from Salary Sacrifice.

Once the file is mapped to cover the new fields, data submissions and payments (Direct Debit, EFT or BPAY) should be made electronically with the reference information generated by the system, as per the current process.

Uploading a file in the SuperStream Alternative File Format (SAFF)

Where employers are able to supply their data in this format, the SuperStream Alternative File Format (SAFF) is a preferred contribution method. The benefit for employers is that SCH Online is “pre-mapped” for the SAFF data elements so mapping of individual data fields to our system is not required – all the employer needs to do is to select SAFF upload from the contribution method selection screen.

Mandatory data validations

For choice funds within SCH Online, there will be minimum data warning icons and an acknowledgement which the employer must agree to if not providing the minimum mandatory data. This is designed to ensure that the employer supplies the minimum mandatory data for each member. In the case where minimum mandatory data elements are not provided for a choice member (but the employer acknowledges to us they don't have this information), SCH Online will forward the contribution to the target fund who may then accept, reject or follow up with the employer for the additional information.