Employers must pay super with wages
Payday super will start on 1 July 2026, changing when Australian workers receive superannuation guarantee contributions from their employers.
From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super at the same time as salary and wages instead of paying it at least quarterly. Contributions must generally reach a worker’s super fund within seven business days of payday.
The new timing means super money can be invested sooner. Over 30 or 40 years, those earlier payments have more time to compound.
Kate Rolfe, Aware Super’s Retirement Experience Lead, said the timing change could make a meaningful difference over a working life. “Payday super is powerful because it changes the timing. Super belongs to workers when they earn it – and from July 1, it should start working for them much sooner,” Ms Rolfe said.
Aware Super said more regular payments could also help workers check whether super has been paid correctly. Rolfe said that may help younger workers, casual employees and people changing jobs spot missing or late payments earlier.
ASFA modelling on retirement balances
ASFA modelling shows a 25-year-old on average wages could be about $5,000 better off at retirement if super is paid fortnightly rather than quarterly. The same modelling shows that missing one year of contributions at age 30 could leave a worker about $25,000 worse off at retirement.
Rolfe said the reform does not add extra pay from employers. Instead, it moves workers’ existing super into their accounts sooner so it can start earning returns earlier.
“This is not extra money from employers – it is workers’ own money reaching their super sooner,” Ms Rolfe said. “When contributions arrive more regularly, people can check their payslip against their super account and feel more confident their retirement savings are on track.”
Aware Super member Samantha Walsh, a primary school teacher, said the change has made her pay closer attention to her retirement savings. “Super used to feel like something happening in the background. Payday super makes it feel more real – I can see my money going in, know it’s being invested sooner, and feel like I’m doing something for my future every time I’m paid,” Ms Walsh said.
Millions of young Australians could get a stronger start on retirement savings under payday super from 1 July 2026. Because employer contributions will arrive closer to when wages are earned, balances can begin compounding sooner.
