Employment Hero tests real-time super ahead of 2026

Employment Hero has processed what it says is Australia's first real-time superannuation payment from within a payroll system, ahead of new Payday Super rules that start in 2026.

The company has launched an embedded superannuation payment and validation feature called HeroClear. The feature sits inside Employment Hero's payroll software.

HeroClear runs on the New Payments Platform. It uses payments technology from Zepto and SuperStream messaging from OZEDI.

The move comes as employers prepare for Payday Super. The new regime will require superannuation contributions to be paid at the same time as wages from mid-2026.

Under the reforms, super funds, clearing houses and banks face pressure to upgrade old systems. They need to handle more frequent payments and faster data flows.

First live payment

Employment Hero said it has now sent the first live superannuation contribution using HeroClear. The payment moved over the New Payments Platform from inside the payroll workflow.

HeroClear calculates contributions inside payroll. It then validates the payment data. It then sends the payment in real time and tracks the transaction.

The system removes the need for separate clearing house portals. It also removes the need for file uploads and manual reconciliations.

Employment Hero said the approach gives instant confirmations on super payments. It also offers a single audit trail and fewer data errors.

Regulators will introduce a seven-day rule under Payday Super. That rule will tighten the time between when wages are paid and when super reaches employees' accounts.

Rob Dunn, General Manager Benefits and Superannuation, Employment Hero, said the first payment marks a shift for the market. "We're incredibly proud to deliver this Australian first and show what modern, embedded super infrastructure makes possible. Fully embedding clearing into payroll is one of the most effective ways to reduce the time and cost of managing super payments. It's a clear signal we're supporting employers through one of the most significant payroll changes in decades," said Dunn.

Real-time rails

Zepto provides the underlying payments connection for HeroClear. It uses the New Payments Platform and PayTo services for account-to-account payments.

Chris Jewell, President and Co-Founder, Zepto, said the speed of the rollout underlined demand for new approaches. "Seeing Employment Hero process its first PayTo and super contributions through HeroClear just weeks after the legislation came into effect is a remarkable milestone. The speed and reliability delivered over the NPP show the power of real-time infrastructure, and Zepto's API-led platform builds on that foundation with fast integration, instant settlement and full transparency," said Jewell.

OZEDI supplies SuperStream messaging for HeroClear. SuperStream is the standard that manages data flows between employers, funds and the Australian Taxation Office.

David Field, Director, OZEDI, said customers were responding to the immediacy of the payment data. "It's been incredible to be part of such a collaborative and fast delivery and to see the majority of payments to superannuation funds made with Zepto over the New Payments Platform (NPP). Employers really value the instant, date-and time-stamped receipt generated by the receiving bank account," said Field.

Beta launch

HeroClear is currently in beta release. It is running with selected customers inside Employment Hero Payroll.

Employment Hero said its payroll system processes about AUD $120 billion in wages and superannuation contributions each year. It serves more than 350,000 businesses.

The first beta customer is Chesterton Customseal. The company uses Employment Hero for its payroll.

Chesterton Customseal reported that HeroClear flagged a data issue before a payment failed. This involved incorrect fund details.

"HeroClear picked up a critical fund error that our existing system missed. If it hadn't flagged it, our super payment would have failed, but instead we fixed it instantly and everything went through smoothly. It was fast, simple and gave us confidence straight away," said Deborah Kerr, the first HeroClear beta customer at Chesterton Customseal.

Employment Hero said real-time validation is a key feature for businesses that face new compliance risks under Payday Super. Employers that miss payments under the new regime could face penalties and higher administrative work.

The firm said HeroClear gives employers visibility within their existing payroll process. It also reduces the number of systems staff need to use to manage super.

Preparing for 2026

Australian employers now have a fixed deadline for Payday Super. The start date is set for 1 July 2026.

Industry groups have warned that many payroll and finance teams still depend on manual workflows. Many also rely on batch banking processes and separate clearing house portals.

Dunn said Employment Hero is already working on the broader rollout. "We're already deep in the next phase of development to ensure HeroClear is ready for all Employment Hero Employment OS and Payroll customers well ahead of 1 July 2026. We look forward to sharing more with customers and the broader industry," said Dunn.