This Strategic Working Group (SWG) meeting was held in Melbourne on 14 October 2025.
Key messages
Summary
Below is a summary of key messages. Note: The full outcomes and presentation materials are available in Online Services for DSPs.
Welcome and introductions
Members of the DSP SWG met in Melbourne on 14 October 2025.
Elissa Walker, Chief Digital Officer and Deputy Commissioner – Digital Delivery, welcomed members and guests.
Environmental Scan
Annual Study Group on Asia-Pacific Tax Administration and Research (SGATAR) was hosted by ATO in Brisbane from 15 to 18 September, bringing together more than 200 delegates.
ATO representatives presented our digital journey and participated in bilateral meetings with our key regional partners.
From an industry perspective, Matthew Prouse highlighted:
- Payday Super was introduced to Parliament on 9 October 2025.
- Government continues signposting productivity and AI, however industry are waiting on a legislative framework to support confidence in what they can and can’t build.
2025–26 ATO Corporate Plan
This year, the plan has been streamlined, simplified and carefully refined to reflect the current environment and support the ATO’s continued focus on core responsibilities. The ATO’s response to the APSC’s capability review, Our Performance Evolution (OPE), is also reflected as an Enterprise Priority in the plan.
Payday Super
Law was introduced to Parliament on 9 October 2025, with some changes to take into account key feedback received.
The Payday Super (PDS) team will be developing supporting documentation and artefacts including cheat sheets on what QE means, and other important concepts.
Future direction of Digital Identity
In December 2024 the Digital ID Act came into effect with The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) now being the primary regulator for the system including accreditation of private and public sector entities.
There are two significant developments on the horizon:
- Participation of the private sector from December 2026.
- Digital ID program is testing how Verifiable Credential technology could enhance and add to the current system with several pilots being conducted to date.
TPB Workshop – Part 1
The TPB confirmed that the primary focus of the session was to ensure a shared understanding of the TPB’s regulatory remit and the service offerings of DSPs and any impediments they are seeing in the system.
TPB Workshop – Part 2
Members were asked to answer a series of questions through an anonymous poll to help ATO and TPB gain insight into DSP understanding and perception of TASA.
The DPO and TPB will return to the group to evolve discussions in 2026.
SBFTA – Enhanced prefill for individuals in business
Enhancing prefill for small business provides the opportunity to streamline and improve the reporting experience by integrating third-party data directly into income tax returns.
Work is being progressed to deliver the following changes for delivery for Tax Time 2026:
- Pre-filling of ABN, main business name, and main business address.
- Reordering of ‘Business Status’ and if 'Ceased business' is selected this will now result in cancelling the taxpayer’s ABN if required.
- Introduction of reason codes when users edit or remove pre-filled data for TPAR and Government grants.
- SBR pre-fill services will pre-fill opening stock to allow it to be allocated to the correct label on the return.
Counter Fraud – ATO App update
Enhancements to the ATO app have been made to improve security, boost user trust and identify fraudulent transactions early.
2024–25 focused on sending post transaction messages to advise individuals that registered their device using ATO app, of key changes to their ATO record Users will need to sign in to see details of the changes.
Users can self-serve to lock their ATO record using the ATO app if they notice any suspicious transactions.
ATO app messages are visible to registered Tax and BAS agents through client communication history.
Compromised Accounting Treatments – Service behaviour in software
ATO invested in testing to determine how compromised accounting treatments are managed by services on the SBR and DSG platforms. All tests were successfully received through the channel.
The group was asked if the test results gave them confidence that systems were operating as expected. While members agreed, they raised the need for messaging to assist their support teams in explaining delayed returns to their customers.
Other business
Elissa noted this is the last face to face SWG for 2025 and member input throughout the year has been greatly appreciated. Members were reminded that the expression of interest for SWG membership in 2026 would open at the end of October and will be concluded by the end of the year.
Next meetings:
- 14 November 2025 – Online (Joint ATO Strategic Working Group & New Zealand Digital Advisory Group
- First quarter 2026 – Face to Face (date to be confirmed).
Papers:
- Priority Issues for Ongoing Monitoring
- EST Organisational chart.
If you have any questions, contact the secretariat by email at DPO@ato.gov.au or raise a ticket in the DSP service desk.
No previous versions available.