Employer
contributions
The super guarantee
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% super of a valid employer’s ordinary time earnings.
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.
To find out more visit the ATO’s Am I entitled to super tool.
How much super should I be paid?
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.
To check if your super has been paid, login to your super account and view your transactions.
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;
- bCheck that your employer is paying into the correct super fund – give them your pre-filled super nomination form; and
- cLogin to your super account and check when your super was last paid and how regularly it has been paid.
If your employer has not paid your super, you can report them to the ATO.
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 $53,564 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.
For more information visit our personal contributions page.
Why is there a tax payment in my transaction history?
Employer contributions, including salary sacrifice payments made into your super fund are taxed by the ATO at 15%.
For more information on superannuation tax, visit the ATO’s Tax on contributions page.
Can I use employer contributions to save for my first home?
No. Employer contributions cannot be used as part of the First Home Super Saver Scheme.
There are two types of contributions that count towards the scheme:
- aSalary sacrifice contributions or,
- bPersonal after-tax contributions (e.g. when you transfer money from your bank account into your super account).
All other contributions, including employer contributions don’t count towards your deposit.
Can I still open a super account if I’m not eligible to receive employer contributions?
Yes. You can open a super and make personal contributions even if you are not eligible for employer contributions.
You can also open a super account when you’re looking for a job so you’re prepared for your first day of work.
Learning
This is general information only and does not take account of your individual investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on it, consider if the information is appropriate and whether you need to speak to an accredited professional.
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