How to report
This page has information about how to identify a reporting period, deadlines to submit a payment times report and how to access and use the Portal to submit and revise your reports.
When to report
Reporting entities must submit two reports per year, each covering a six-month period based on their financial year. The following examples are for reporting entities that have a standard 12-month financial year:
- For a financial year ending on 30 June, reporting periods are:
- 1 July - 31 December; and
- 1 January - 30 June.
- For a financial year ending on 30 September, reporting periods are:
- 1 October - 31 March; and
- 1 April - 30 September.
Reporting deadlines
A reporting entity must submit its reports within three months after the end of each six-month reporting period. A failure to report by the deadline could be made public on the Register and penalties may apply.
Reporting entities that cannot meet a reporting deadline may consider applying for an extension.
How to report
The Payment Times Reporting Portal is a secure website where reporting entities can meet their obligations under the Payment Times Reporting Scheme. You must use the portal to submit payment times reports and to make applications.
Portal Quick Reference Guides
Quick Reference Guides for the refreshed Portal are available to help reporting entities access and get set up in the Portal, prepare and provide their entity information, and submit a new payment times report.
Quick Reference Guide 1: Getting set up in the Portal [DOCX 1.24MB]
Quick Reference Guide 2: Entity Information [DOCX 568KB]
Quick Reference Guide 3: Submitting a Report [DOCX 703KB]
Accessing the portal
A reporting entity needs to set up a Digital ID to access the portal.
myID is the Australian Government’s identity app, formerly myGovID. Visit the myID website for further information.
Setting up myID:
- Download the myID app from Google Play or the App Store to your compatible smart device
- Enter your details
- Verify your identity.
Check the myID website for help setting up a myID.
Check the Digital ID website for more information on Digital ID.
How to register an entity in the portal
A reporting entity needs to register their business details and create a profile in the portal.
When creating a profile in the portal for the first time, the Digital ID will be linked to the business’s Australian Business Number (ABN) in Relationship Authentication Manager (RAM). The portal will request the completion of the Entity Set-up form for entity registration of that initial ABN.
If a business needs to register more than one reporting entity in the portal, they must follow these steps:
- Log in to the portal via Digital ID.
- Select the reporting entity using the Relationship Authentication Manager (RAM).
- Complete the RAM access authorisation.
- Complete the Entity Set-up form.
Setting up the Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM)
Once a Digital ID has been set up, it then needs to be linked to an ABN in Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM). RAM is an authorisation service, managed by the Australian Taxation Office, that allows access to the Department of the Treasury online services on behalf of an entity.
To access services on behalf of a business, you need to link your myID to the business’s Australian Business Number (ABN) in RAM.
If a reporting entity does not appear on your RAM screen when logging into the portal, you will need to link your myID to the entity in RAM. How you link your Digital ID to an ABN using RAM depends on your role.
Principal authority
A principal authority is a person responsible for the entity. They need to link to the entity in RAM first.
Once linked, the principal authority can authorise others to access government online services, such as the reporting portal on behalf of the entity. When authorising others, make sure to select The Treasury (full access) under agency access.
Authorised user or administrator
An authorised user or administrator is someone who acts on behalf of an entity.
A principal authority or authorisation administrator needs to authorise you before you can access the reporting portal on behalf of an entity. You will use your Digital ID to log into RAM and accept the authorisation request.
Find out more about creating and accepting an authorisation request.
Check the Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) website for help linking.
Prepare to submit payment times reports
To assist with submitting payment times reports, a reporting entity should:
- From the portal home page, select the ‘Submit Payment Times Reports’ tile.
- Update the ‘Financial Year’ date (this is the last day of your financial year)
- Update the ‘Start Date as Reporting Entity’.
The ‘Start Date as Reporting Entity’ field should be the date the entity became eligible for reporting. Otherwise, the portal will automatically default the start date to 1 January 2021. Please update this field if this is incorrect.
Entity nominated contact
In the portal, entities are required to provide a nominated contact (first name, last name and email address). A group mailbox can be used for the email address.
It is important that the nominated contact field information is kept up-to-date.
The Regulator uses this email address to contact the entity about submitted reports and to provide important information about the scheme.
Volunteer reporting
Constitutionally covered entities that aren't required to report can volunteer to report under the scheme.
To volunteer, an entity needs to register their business details in the portal, create a profile and submit an Application to Volunteer.
Small Business Identification (SBI) Tool
The Payment Times Reporting Small Business Identification (SBI) Tool must be used to identify which suppliers are small businesses for payment times reporting.
The SBI tool is only available through the portal.
Trouble accessing the portal
Users experiencing portal issues should do a hard reset and clear the cache of their internet browser. This will ensure the latest version of the portal is loaded.
Common instructions for clearing browser caches:
If possible, try an alternate browser on another operating system before reporting the issue to the Regulator.
Issues submitting a report
All payment times reports must be submitted via the portal.
Contact the Regulator if you are having issues lodging a report.