MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has reinforced its Director Penalty Regime, making company directors personally liable for unpaid PAYG, GST, and superannuation guarantee (SGC) obligations.

Since legislative changes in 2019, the three-month grace period for reporting unpaid superannuation has been removed. Now, if SGC statements are not lodged on time, directors are immediately exposed to lockdown penalties — meaning that even if your company later enters administration or liquidation, the personal liability remains.

“Once locked down, placing your company into administration or liquidation won’t remove the liability,” explains Melissa Lawson, Acumen Accounting Group, Melbourne’s trusted SME tax accountants and business advisory specialists. “The only way to eliminate it is to pay the debt or ensure timely lodgement before penalties apply.”

Why This Matters to Business Owners

Unpaid superannuation and payroll obligations can now have serious personal consequences for directors. Beyond business cash flow pressure, directors may face direct enforcement actions from the ATO.

✅ Stay compliant – Lodge PAYG, GST, and SGC on time.

✅ Monitor payroll accuracy – Avoid payroll taxation Melbourne errors that create superannuation shortfalls.

✅ Engage professionals early – Work with an experienced SME taxation Melbourne team.

✅ Avoid personal exposure – Ensure superannuation and tax statements are reconciled monthly.

How Acumen Accounting Group Helps Protect Directors

As a leading Melbourne firm offering bookkeeping services, payroll services, and tax advisory for SMEs, Acumen Accounting Group provides the expertise businesses need to stay compliant and confident.

Our team supports:

1. Bookkeeping Services Melbourne – Accurate daily records to avoid reporting delays and missed lodgements.
2. Payroll Services Melbourne – Full-service payroll management, including superannuation and tax reporting.
3. Payroll Taxation Melbourne – Expert guidance on payroll tax calculations, reporting, and lodgement.
4. SME Taxation Melbourne – Comprehensive small business tax planning, compliance, and quarterly BAS reviews.
5. SMSF & Superannuation – Advice, reporting, and auditing support for business owners managing self-managed super funds.
6. SMSF Accountant Melbourne / SMSF Accountants Melbourne – Specialised super fund compliance and performance reporting.
7. SMSF Tax Accountant Melbourne – Tax return preparation, contribution planning, and retirement strategy.

Our proactive approach ensures directors, SMEs, and business owners meet their ATO obligations, prevent penalty notices, and maintain full financial visibility through accurate bookkeeping and payroll systems.

The Bigger Picture: Business Insolvency & Superannuation Risk

According to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), company insolvencies have increased 36% year-on-year, reaching 7,742 external administrations by March 2024 - the highest in a decade.

Meanwhile, the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) recorded 3,179 new personal insolvencies in the June 2025 quarter, with nearly 30% business-related, often linked to directors personally liable for unpaid tax or superannuation guarantees.

These statistics underscore the importance of early financial management, professional bookkeeping, and compliance advice - especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Stay Compliant. Stay Protected.

Acumen Accounting Group helps business owners plan smarter, stay compliant, and avoid unnecessary penalties. Whether you need SME tax accountants, payroll services, or SMSF tax advice, our Melbourne-based professionals ensure your obligations are met with precision and care.

📞 Book your free 45-minute discovery call

📩 Email: hello@acumenaccountinggroup.com.au

🌐 Website: www.acumenaccountinggroup.com.au

📍 Locations: Melbourne, including Thomastown, Bundoora, Malvern, and our office is expanding to Cairns.

What Employers Need to Do

If you run a business, now is the time to make sure your payroll is up to date. A trusted accountant for small business can help you:

1. Update payroll software settings to reflect the new SG rate
2. Review employment contracts where super is listed as a fixed percentage
3. Confirm clearing house submission deadlines to avoid penalties for late payments

Falling behind on compliance can be costly, which is why many Australian business owners rely on Acumen Accounting Group’s accounting services in Melbourne to stay on track.

What Employees Should Check

For employees, the increase means more money being added to your super fund each payday – a quiet boost to your retirement savings. To make sure you’re receiving the right contributions:

1. Review your payslip to check the super calculation
2. Log in to your super fund portal to track contributions

Why Payroll Matters for Small Business Success in Australia

• Oct 11, 2025   (published)
• Oct 26, 2025   (last modified)

Why Payroll Matters for Small Business Success in Australia

Accurate payroll isn’t just about paying staff on time. It’s about: staying compliant with the ATO’s Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting requirements. managing superannuation contributions correctly, handling annual leave, sick leave, and overtime in line with workplace legislation. It's also important for reassuring your employees that their wages are correct. By outsourcing payroll to a reliable accountant for small business, you free up time to focus on growth while ensuring your obligations are met.

As one of the leading providers of accounting services in Melbourne, we tailor payroll solutions to meet the needs of small businesses. Our payroll services include: Payroll Processing – ensuring accurate and timely wage payments. Superannuation Management – calculating and lodging contributions. STP Compliance – seamless reporting to the ATO. Leave Tracking – managing employee entitlements with precision. Payslip Distribution – digital or paper, depending on your business needs. End-of-Year Payment Summaries – providing employees with the right information for tax time. When you choose Acumen, you’re not just getting payroll services – you’re partnering with a team that understands the bigger picture of small business accounting.

Why Choose Acumen Accounting Group?

Searching for an “accountant near me” or the “best accountant for small business” can feel overwhelming. What sets Acumen apart is our focus on relationships and results. We’re more than just business accountants – we’re partners in your growth.

Here’s why Melbourne businesses trust us:

Specialist Small Business Knowledge – as experienced accountants for small business, we know the challenges you face.

Compliance Expertise – we keep you updated on changing payroll and tax laws.

Tailored Service – no two businesses are alike, so neither is our approach.

Local Melbourne Focus – when you search “accountant small business near me” or “business accountant near me”, we’re here to provide accessible and responsive support.

Payroll Made Simple for Melbourne Small Businesses

Running a small business comes with many moving parts, and one of the most important responsibilities is managing payroll. For many owners, payroll is both time-consuming and complex, with compliance, superannuation, and employee entitlements to consider. That’s where Acumen Accounting Group steps in, offering expert payroll solutions as part of our small business accounting services across Melbourne.

At Acumen Accounting Group, we believe payroll should be stress-free. By combining payroll with our full suite of accounting services Melbourne business owners rely on, we provide end-to-end financial support that helps your business stay compliant, efficient, and ready for growth.

Whether you’re looking for small business accounting, bookkeeping, BAS lodgements, or a dedicated business accountant, our team is ready to help.

Reach out today to discover how you can tap into our payroll services to simplify your business activities and give you the time, freedom and confidence to focus on running your business.

https://www.acumenaccountinggroup.com.au/