The Albanese Government will require super to be paid on payday, a reform that will benefit the retirement incomes of millions of Australians.
From 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay their employees’ super at the same time as their salary and wages.
Paying super on payday is part of the Government’s efforts to ensure Australians earn more, keep more of what they earn, and retire with more as well.
This change will strengthen Australia’s superannuation system and help deliver a more dignified retirement to more Australian workers.
The Government is today announcing further policy design details on these reforms that will incentivise compliance and ensure employees are compensated for any delays in receiving their super, including:
- An updated super guarantee charge framework will ensure employees are fully compensated for any delay in receiving their super, incentivise employers to catch‑up on any missed payments quickly, and increase the severity of consequences for employers that deliberately or repeatedly do the wrong thing.
- Businesses will become liable for the updated superannuation guarantee charge if super contributions are not received by their employees’ superannuation fund within seven days of payday. This allows time for payment processing to occur, as well as for swift action to be taken against those employers that are not meeting their obligations.
- Revised choice of fund rules will make it easier for employees to nominate their existing super fund when they start a new job, reducing unintended duplicate accounts and giving employers more timely and accurate details.
More information on the design of payday super is available from the fact sheet published on the Treasury website.
While most employers do the right thing, the Australian Taxation Office estimates $3.6 billion worth of super went unpaid in 2020–21.
By switching to payday super, a 25‑year‑old median income earner currently receiving their super quarterly and wages fortnightly could be around $6,000 or 1.5 per cent better off at retirement.
Legislative design will progress through the second half of 2024 ahead of draft legislation being released for consultation.