Payday Super Starts Here

The proposed Payday Super reforms will require Australian employers to pay Super Guarantee (SG) contributions on every payday, rather than quarterly.

This means more frequent SG payments that must reach super funds within seven calendar days of each payday. The proposed start date for this change is 1 July 2026.

Payday Super is designed to:

• Boost retirement savings: earlier, more frequent contributions help super balances grow faster
• Close the unpaid super gap: around $3–5 billion remains unpaid each year; Payday Super aligns payroll and super data to improve compliance.
• Empower employees: super payments will be more visible to workers, improving transparency.
• Clarify obligations for employers: clear rules and updated penalties (SGC) for late payments.

Payday Super is all about making the super system stronger for Australians and driving better transparency and integrity when it comes to superannuation payments.

The Payday Super reforms will require employers to:

• Make more frequent SG payments, aligned with each pay cycle
• Ensure employees’ superannuation contributions reach their superannuation funds within seven7 days of payday
• Review and upgrade their payroll systems to ensure Payday Super readiness
• Prepare for tighter salary and wages cash flow planning each financial year
• Avoid SG shortfall issues and the risk of an unpaid super complaint

These changes apply to any business that pays their employees, regardless of their size. The Australian Government has made it clear through their proposed reforms that compliance will be enforced once the proposed start date comes into effect. 

While the legislation is still being finalised, Payday Super is expected to come into effect on 1 July 2026. It’s important for all employers to start getting ready now.

Yes. If/when Payday Super passes into law, it will be mandatory for all employers.

Yes, The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House will be decommissioned from 1 July 2026.

Regardless of where the final legislation lands, these changes are going to have a big impact on Australian businesses. Over 95% of Australian businesses are SMBs, which means that if even a fraction of businesses fail due to these kind of changes, jobs could be lost and super payments won’t be made at all. 

Employment Hero modelling shows the average SMB customer will need to unlock $124,615 in additional working capital just to comply with the current legislation. No superannuation system can succeed without solvent, supported employers. That’s why Employment Hero is both advocating for businesses as part of this reform, and building tech solutions to help them navigate the changes.

Employment Hero supports the intent to improve super payment timeliness and integrity, which is aligned with our mission to make employment easier and more valuable for all.

However, the draft laws require further refinement to ensure they do not unintentionally impose disproportionate compliance burdens on Australia’s SMBs. We are:

• Advocating for change on behalf of small businesses; and
• Building solutions so our platform is ready to fully support Payday Super compliance.

We’re working directly with Government to recommend key changes, including:

• Addressing infrastructure gaps and clarifying employer liability when systems fail.
• A phased rollout and simplified pathway for SMBs and micro-businesses.
• Scaled penalties and reasonable grace periods during transition.
• Clear guidance and support for employers.
• Protecting employee choice and engagement during onboarding.

Our goal is to ensure the final legislation is fair, practical and achievable for SMBs.

We are rapidly enhancing our platform to help employers:

• Automate payroll and super; accurate, compliant, timely payments per cycle.
• Monitor compliance in real time; proactively resolve issues.
• Onboard employees with full fund choice and transparency.
• Manage cash flow; plan for more frequent super payments.
• Integrate with ATO; seamless STP and super reporting.
• Stay industry connected; collaborating with Clearinghouses, ATO and Super Funds.

Our end-to-end Employment Operating System (eOS) will help businesses meet their Payday Super obligations on time and with confidence.

Under the new laws, the Super Guarantee Charge (SHC) will apply to any late or missed payments, and that includes penalties and interest. The longer the delay, the bigger the penalties. The SGC is also set to be updated to include new charges and penalties. 

How can I avoid penalties under Payday Super? 

• Make sure your payroll system is set up in time to process super alongside wages by 1 July 2026.
• Keep an eye on your payment schedules and double-check that contributions reach the right super fund on time.
• Review cash flow regularly. Frequent super payments may affect your liquidity — plan ahead to avoid late payments.
• Start preparing now. We know mid-2026 might seem far off, but getting ahead of these changes will save you from a stressful scramble later. Start reviewing your payroll processes now, make sure your systems are up to date, and explore solutions like Employment Hero to help lighten the load.

Employment Hero’s eOS provides a fully integrated solution (replacing the functionality of the SBSCH) so employers can process payroll and super in one seamless flow:

• Automated payroll & super payments
• Real-time compliance and error handling
• Transparent employee onboarding
• Integrated cash flow management
• Seamless ATO/STP reporting
• Ongoing collaboration with industry partners

No extra tools, no additional complexity – just one streamlined platform.

Where can I find more information? 

Stay up to date with Payday Super here. 

You can also find more information via Australian Treasury or via the Australian Taxation Office.