The Payday Super Shift: 2026 Employer Readiness Report

Are you ready for super contributions to move from a quarterly task to every single pay run?

For decades, superannuation has sat in the background; processed quarterly, separate from payroll and often treated as an admin afterthought. 

From 1 July 2026, that changes.

Under the new Payday Super legislation, employers will need to pay super at the same time as wages, with contributions reaching employees’ funds within seven business days. That means tighter timeframes, greater scrutiny and a direct impact on your payroll processes, cash flow and compliance obligations.

The employers who prepare early are best placed to stay in control and be confident ahead of the deadline. That’s why we created this report. Use it as a practical guide to help you understand what’s changing, what it means for your business and how to get ready.

What’s in the report?

To understand how prepared Australian businesses truly are, we went straight to the source, surveying 500 business decision-makers across the country. 

We uncovered what Payday Super will really mean for employers and the impact goes far beyond simply changing when you make payments.

In the report, we break down:

• The financial impact: How more frequent super payments will affect your cash flow and forecasting.
• The operational impact: What this change means for your payroll processes, systems and compliance risk.
• The opportunity: Where you can gain efficiency, strengthen processes and build greater trust with your people.
• The solution: How the right technology and processes can simplify the transition
• An employer action plan: Practical steps to prepare ahead of 1 July 2026

A snapshot of the key findings

Here’s a preview of some of the key insights we uncovered, including:

An awareness gap: 58% of businesses and 8 in 10 employees don’t yet know about the 2026 legislative changes.

Rising compliance pressure: 69% of employers are already concerned about staying on top of evolving super requirements.

Processes under strain: 84% of businesses are frustrated with their current super processes, from manual workarounds to returned funds, even before payment frequency increases.

A growing trust divide: Half of workers under 30 are worried about their employer’s readiness, compared to just 23% of those over 60.

The full report unpacks what these insights mean for your business and what you can do now to stay ahead.

The countdown to payday has begun

The 1 July 2026 deadline is closer than you think. Don’t wait until the pressure is on to prepare.

Download the report today to access:

• The latest insights from Australian employers in the lead-up to this key legislative change
• A practical Payday Super action plan
• A cash flow checklist to help you manage the transition

You’ll also discover how HeroClear can support your readiness by simplifying super payments, reducing manual admin and helping you move to Payday Super with confidence.

Looking for more information? Visit our Payday Super Hub for practical resources and tools, including our cash flow calculator, to help you prepare.