SuperStream Alternative File Format (SAFF) is a file format accepted by all super funds. This file format contains all mandatory data in an ATO-accepted format.
To create a Super Fund or to check that the Super Fund has all the required fields completed:
Go to Setup, Superannuation Funds, Add to add a new fund or Edit to check and modify an existing Fund.
Mandatory fields for a SAFF under the General tab are:
Fund Name:
Fund ABN:
Unique Super Id:
Clearing House Reference: Suggested but not mandatory.
Important: If you are setting up a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) you will also have a mandatory field ESA Alias:
Address tab, advisable to complete.
Notes, Contacts tab not mandatory.
On the Delivery tab, check that the Delivery Mode is File and the File Format must be SuperStream Alternative. In File Location: select where the file is to be saved, and add .csv to the end of the file location.
For example: C:\CompanySuper\Clearinghouse.csv
Bank tab contains the Clearinghouse information: All fields need to be filled in with the same details for each fund.
Note: If you are setting up a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF), please refer to:
Self-Managed Super Fund set up for additional banking steps introduced in v8.1.2
Creating the SuperStream Alternative File Format (SAFF)
Upon completion of the setup, you can then process your superannuation file after each pay by creating a super file to send to your clearing house.
To create the file, follow the steps below:
Go to Reports, Superannuation, Export File
Select the date range for the information to be created, Next.
Enter the date range on the Superannuation Export Wizard
Ensure that SuperStream Alternative is selected as the Delivery Format, Next.
Select the employees’ superannuation contributions for inclusion in the export file. By default, all available contributions that have not yet been included in a file, will be included, however, specific employees and specific contributions can be selected and deselected as required. Each employee can be expanded to show the details of which PPE is included and how much is paid for each PPE Next.
Enter or modify the Output file: location and file name this is the file that you can upload into your Super Clearing House. Payment ID can be added as required before completing the file creation. The Payment ID is a unique payment reference that employers create to link both the contribution data and banking file. The wizard also shows you the previous payment reference used and the date the file was run, Next.
Once the export is finished Explore to browse the output file location and/or click Close to close the wizard.
If the option to include superannuation payments in the EFT file is selected (from File, Company Details, Banking, Bank Account), then the EFT file can be created at this time. For more information on this please read the article Processing super for Payday Super.
Once the EFT file creation wizard is finished, the file is ready to send to the Clearing House via your online banking software.
Best Practices for Saving and Handling Files
File Naming: - Use unique and descriptive names for each export file (e.g., include the date or version number) to avoid overwriting existing files. - Example: 31072026SuperStream_v1.csv.
Avoid Excel Corruption: - Do not open and resave the original .csv file in Excel, as this can corrupt the data (e.g., remove leading zeros or change formats). - If you need to review the file, make a copy and open the copy in Excel instead.