2 million self-employed
Their interests are our interest
It's your contract: Take control of it!
We say you should control your contract. Here's how. Check for clauses that are:
Red for Stop
Amber for Caution
Green for Go
You can also make use of our Contract Template to design your contract.

Matrixes and template are available here (ICA members only). Not a member? Join here for as little as $55.
You and Your Contract
Charter of Contractual Fairness.

Debate: Suck it up?

Contract problems?
Fixing business disputes
There's lots happening for new dispute resolution services for small business people. The Small Business Commissioner (SBC) model is being rolled out across Australia. Explanation of developments.
Watching: The new world of work
We track and discuss what's happening with work.
The new Cuban revolution.
Watching: The coordinated attack against self-employed in Australia
Do unions hate the self-employed?
Federal tax attack
Sham contracting small problem
Watching: New Technology
Opportunities and new threats for self-employed people
Left versus right: the great debate
Ken Phillips (ICA) and Peter Strong (COSBOA) debate "The Future (or Death) of Employment". Vids are here.
Our Campaigning
We need unfair contract protections
Defend contractor tax laws
Watching: Your Super
We're monitoring superannuation
Watching: Work Safety Laws
Harmonised laws have big problems.
Watching: Government Contracts
Military Aircraft (JSF)

National Broadband Network
Watching: Fair Work Act
We're watching

What the AIG wants
Handy ATO Links
Filing your tax return:
A member's problem
ATO advice

Handy ATO tax links:
ATO debt collection: overview
ATO debt collection: 'Products'
Guide to managing your debt
Not-for-profit tax guide
Lodge your BAS online
PAYG withholding tax tables
New tax form: Taxpayer Statement of Account
New tax form: Notice of Assessment
Mortgage scams
Small business support
Payment arrangement calculator
Want an ATO visit?
ATO Help for small business
ABN eligibility rules
Self managing your tax debt

Handy Super links:
ATO SMSF compliance
ATO free seminars.
SMSF Admin advice
New Super clearing house
Tax on SMSF loans
Watching Global Economies
Watching Global Economies
Watching the USA
Watching China
Central Banks on Debt
Watching Housing Bubbles
Ken Phillips on the debt equation

Superannuation Clearing House:
Federal Government Media Release


CHRIS BOWEN MP
MINISTER FOR HUMAN SERVICES
MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, SUPERANNUATION AND CORPORATE LAW

DR CRAIG EMERSON MP
MINISTER FOR SMALL BUSINESS, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS AND THE SERVICE ECONOMY
MINISTER FOR COMPETITION POLICY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
MINISTER ASSISTING THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE ON DEREGULATION

MEDIA RELEASE
6 November 2009

CUTTING RED TAPE FOR SMALL BUSINESS - SUPERANNUATION CLEARING HOUSE

The Minister for Superannuation, Chris Bowen MP, and Minister for Small Business, Craig Emerson MP, today announced that the Government will deliver its free superannuation clearing house service for small business through Medicare Australia.

The clearing house service will be available small businesses with less than 20 employees from July 2010.

"To meet their Choice of Fund obligations, small businesses currently face the time and paperwork burden of paying contributions into numerous funds. The super clearing house will cut this red tape burden by enabling small businesses to pay their superannuation contributions electronically to a single location. " Minister Bowen said.

"Medicare Australia is well placed as one of the Commonwealth Government's key service delivery agencies - with significant electronic and payment processing capacity whilst ensuring the privacy of information and the security of funds."

"Today's announcement delivers on the Government's election commitment to reduce what is a significant compliance and cost burden for small business associated with the choice of fund obligations," Minister Emerson said.

Key features of the superannuation clearing house for participating small business include:
  • Superannuation contributions made to numerous funds will be electronically paid to a single location (the clearing house) which will process the transactions.
  • Small businesses that choose to use the clearing house service will have their legal obligation to make superannuation contributions discharged when payment of the correct amount is made to the clearing house;
  • The clearing house facility will be offered free of charge to small businesses with less than 20 employees; and
  • The clearing house will manage employers' choice of fund obligations. Under these arrangements, the clearing house not be available to larger businesses. This is in line with the Government's focus on assisting small business while also seeking to minimise the impacts of the measure on competition in the existing clearing house market.
The superannuation clearing house will be funded through the $16.1 million allocation that was made available in the 2008-09 Budget and will reviewed at the end of the initial three year period.

Media Contact - James Cullen 0409 719 879


ATTACHMENT
How will the superannuation clearing house service work?
  • Eligible small businesses (those with less than 20 employees) will register for the service on-line and thereafter their superannuation contributions will be paid to a single location (the clearing house) which will forward them on to the nominated superannuation funds.
  • Employers will also be able to pass on choice of fund nominations to the clearing house for processing.
  • Medicare Australia will develop an online system for registration and on-going payments, with payments initially being made via electronic funds transfer (EFT). Detailed information on the processes for registration and utilisation of the service will be made available closer to the implementation date.
How will small business be able to register for the clearing house?
  • There will be an online system for registration and payments, and payments initially will need to be made via EFT.
  • The details of how eligible businesses will be able to register with Medicare Australia for the service will be announced in due course.
Why did the Government choose Medicare Australia to deliver this service?
  • Given its current roles, Medicare Australia has significant capacity in payment processing which can be readily adapted for superannuation contributions.
  • Medicare Australia is able to leverage its existing infrastructure and capabilities, whilst ensuring the privacy of information and the security of funds.
When will the service be available?
  • The clearing house service will commence from July 2010. Small businesses will be able to register for the service from May 2010.