The free Medicare-operated superannuation clearing house service for small businesses has already received over $45 million in compulsory super payments from employers since it was introduced last year, according to the government.
Around 4350 employers were registered with the clearing house and 29000 employees have been added as at 3 June 2011, Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten and Minister for Small Business Nick Sherry said in a joint statement on Friday.
Shorten also said that 84000 payments had been made since the clearing house service began in July 2010.
"When we introduced our legislation, the opposition did everything they could to delay it, including supporting a Senate inquiry and moving an amendment to allow the private sector to also provide the service," he said.
The clearing house service is available for small businesses with fewer than 20 employees.
Small businesses that choose to use the service will have their legal obligation to make superannuation contributions discharged when payment of the correct amount is made to the clearing house.
Former Superannuation Minister Chris Bowen announced the program in November 2009 and said it was designed to cut red tape for small businesses.
He said Medicare Australia was chosen to run the clearing house because it had significant capacity in payment processing which could be readily adapted for super contributions.
