The ATO, in collaboration with the DWG Micro-Focus group, Focus group and DWG members has developed a concept paper that aims to deliver streamlined electronic employee commencement services.

The services outlined in this paper will be optional for employees, employers and software providers. Each party will need to assess for themselves whether using or implementing these services will be of value to them.

This paper outlines the concepts and scope for which we will base our detailed designs on, recognising that consultation with industry will be required in refining the designs to meet usability and industry requirements as well as meeting policy intent.

If you would like further information, the concept paper can be accessed here: Employee Commencement Concept Paper

---

Consultation Paper – Online choice of fund design (part of the employee commencement service)

Consultation had ended
In response to the Government announcement, Single Touch Payroll will be delivering new services to support employees commencing employment either directly through an employer’s software, or through a similar process in ATO Online. The core component of these services is the delivery of a pre-filled tax file number declaration and choice form.

Through this consultation paper the ATO is seeking industry feedback on:

• the principles supporting the online design for choice of fund;
• whether the ATO design achieves the stated policy intent; and
• how to support a more efficient member and employer experience (i.e. through both ATO Online and Employer business management software solutions).

We are also releasing the Usability Testing Report as referenced in the consultation paper.

Feedback from consultation and next steps
Consultation closed on 25 July 2017 and we received a total of 29 submissions. The responses have been reviewed and an initial micro focus group meeting held with four industry representatives to confirm the scope of feedback and headline issues. The ATO has developed a high level summary of the feedback received through the consultative process. The feedback will now be considered as part of confirming our design for next release of the STP Employee Commencement process in 2018.

Webinar
The ATO presented a webinar to go through this paper on Tuesday 4 July 2017. Please find a copy of the webinar slides.

Watch: