Everything you need to know about super contributions
Superannuation is an extra 9.5% on top of your salary paid by your employer
Employers are legally required to pay eligible employees
You’re eligible for super if you earn over $450 in a month*
Super must be paid at least 4 times a year by the due dates
Note: People aged under 18 must also work more than 30 hours in a week to be eligible for employer super contributions.
*Employers are required to pay 9.5% of an eligible employee’s ordinary time earnings as super.
The 9.5% super guarantee
Employers are legally required to make superannuation payments to all eligible employees, into a complying superannuation fund. These payments are called the super guarantee.
The superannuation guarantee is 9.5% of your ordinary time earnings, which means overtime hours are not included.
Super guarantee payments sometimes appear on your payslip as ‘SG payment’
FAQ
Am I eligible for super contributions from my employer?
As an employee you are entitled to receive super contributions from your employer if you earn $450 or more (before tax) in a month.
If you’re under 18 years, you must also work more than 30 hours in a week to be eligible.
The super guarantee contribution rate is currently 9.5% of your ordinary time earnings, which excludes overtime.
Example: If you earn $1,000 in a month, your super guarantee contribution is an additional $95 on top of your pay, paid into your super account.
I can see super on my payslip, why isn’t it in my super account?
You may not necessarily be paid super at the same time as it shows on your payslip. Employers are only required to make superannuation payments once a quarter. The super on your payslip may have been put aside to be paid later, but before the due date.
The only way to check if you’ve been paid super is by logging into your account and checking your transactions.
If you cannot see payments made to your super account at the same time as your wages you may wish to ask your employer how often payments are made.
When do I get paid super?
Employers can choose to pay your superannuation as frequently as they like. However, they must pay your super at least quarterly.
Super contributions legally must be paid into your super fund by the dates below:
Work period
Super guarantee pay day
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
1 July - 30 Sept
28 Oct
1 Oct - 31 Dec
1 Jan - 31 Mar
1 Apr - 30 June
Work period
Super guarantee pay day
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
1 July - 30 Sept
28 Oct
1 Oct - 31 Dec
28 Jan
1 Jan - 31 Mar
28 Apr
1 Apr - 30 June
28 July
So, if you worked from August to September and were eligible for super, your employer should pay this money into your account by the 28th of October.
Superannuation payments often take 1 – 2 business days to process, so allow at least 2 days to check your transaction history.
How can I check if I’ve been paid super?
Your employer must list the amount they have set aside for your super on your payslip. However, this does not mean your super has been paid into your super fund.
What can I do if my employer is not paying me super?
Companies that do not make super contributions for eligible employees are breaking the law. If you’re not receiving contributions from your employer, or are not sure if you are being paid enough, you can:
aTalk to your employer and ask them to explain how your super is being calculated and how often they are paying it;
Can I make my own contributions into my super account?
Yes. You can make contributions into your super account. These payments are called personal contributions.
Making personal contributions can be beneficial from a tax perspective. If you make personal contributions and earn less than $54,837 you may be eligible to receive the super co-contribution.
Personal contributions can also be used to help you save for your first home using the governments First Home Super Saver Scheme.