Small employers (19 or fewer employees) have been required to report their arm's length employees since 1 July 2019 (subject to any applicable deferrals or exemptions) but have been exempt from reporting their closely held payees (CHP). They were originally exempt only until 30 June 2020 but, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was extended until 30 June 2021 (i.e. for 2019-20 and 2020-21). There was no need to apply for this exemption.
From 1 July 2021, small employers will have to report payroll information relating to their CHP through STP.