Choosing the right superannuation clearing house is one of those decisions that can save your business significant time and money — or cost you both if you get it wrong. A clearing house streamlines the process of paying employee super contributions to multiple funds in a single transaction, reducing your administrative burden and making compliance far easier to manage.
Below is an in-depth comparison of the five most widely used superannuation clearing houses in Australia — covering features, pricing, support, accuracy, and reporting — so you can make an informed decision for your business.
"The right clearing house can transform super contributions from a monthly headache into a five-minute task."
The Five Main Options
SuperChoice is one of Australia's most widely used clearing houses, catering to businesses of all sizes. It provides an efficient way to manage super contributions across multiple funds in a single transaction, with strong compliance support and payroll integration.
Strengths
- User-friendly interface
- Scalable for small and large businesses
- Robust, customisable reporting tools
- Comprehensive compliance updates
Considerations
- Fees vary with usage — can add up
- Learning curve when integrating with payroll
QuickSuper is designed specifically for small to medium-sized businesses, offering a straightforward online platform for managing super contributions to multiple funds. Its no-fee model for smaller employers makes it particularly attractive for businesses just starting out.
Strengths
- Free for businesses with fewer than 20 employees
- Quick and easy setup
- Simple, clean interface
Considerations
- Limited advanced features for larger businesses
- Basic reporting — lacks customisation
- Longer support response times at peak periods
SACH is the government-backed clearing house administered by the ATO, available free of charge to eligible small businesses. For sole traders and businesses with fewer than 20 employees, it offers a trusted, no-cost way to meet super obligations — backed by the weight of government oversight.
Strengths
- Completely free for eligible businesses
- Government-backed — high trust and security
- Single transaction to multiple funds
Considerations
- Only available to businesses with fewer than 20 employees
- Limited support options
- Lacks advanced features of commercial platforms
Employsure's clearing house is part of their broader HR and workplace compliance platform. If you are already using Employsure for HR support, the integrated super clearing functionality adds convenience — though it may not be the most cost-effective choice if you only need the super clearing component.
Strengths
- Seamless integration with HR and payroll
- Excellent compliance and HR support resources
- User-friendly interface
Considerations
- Costs depend on HR service tier chosen
- Super clearing features lack depth for complex needs
- Not ideal if you only need a clearing house
SmartSuper is a flexible clearing house that supports businesses of all sizes, with an emphasis on payroll system integration and electronic submissions. It offers detailed reporting tools and solid compliance resources, though some users find the interface less intuitive than alternatives.
Strengths
- Works well with a wide range of payroll systems
- Detailed, customisable reporting
- Solid compliance support resources
Considerations
- Monthly fees apply
- Interface less intuitive than some competitors
Side-by-Side Summary
| Platform | Best For | Cost | Reporting | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuperChoice | All sizes | Subscription + fees | Excellent | Strong |
| QuickSuper | Small business | Free <20 employees | Basic | Moderate |
| SACH (ATO) | Small business | Completely free | Basic | Limited |
| Employsure | HR-integrated | Varies | Standard | Excellent |
| SmartSuper | Medium–large | Monthly fees | Excellent | Good |
Our Recommendation
The right clearing house depends entirely on your business size, budget, and how sophisticated your payroll setup is. Here is our practical guidance:
Sole traders and businesses under 20 employees should start with the ATO's SACH — it is completely free, government-backed, and does exactly what you need without any unnecessary complexity or cost.
Growing businesses that need more features without committing to a subscription should look at QuickSuper — free for smaller employers and a clean, simple platform to work with day-to-day.
Medium to large businesses with complex payroll needs and a desire for detailed reporting will find SuperChoice or SmartSuper better suited to their requirements. The additional cost is justified by the depth of functionality.
Businesses already on the Employsure platform for HR support will find the integrated clearing house a natural fit — the convenience of having super and HR compliance in one place is hard to argue with if you are already a customer.
If you are unsure which option suits your situation, we are happy to talk it through. Getting your super obligations right from the start saves significant time and avoids penalties down the track.
Need help with super compliance?
JJ162 Chartered Accountants helps businesses manage payroll, super, and employer obligations. Get in touch for a no-obligation conversation.