What is Payday Super?

Payday Super is a new set of laws passed in November 2025 (the Superannuation Guarantee Charge Amendment Bill 2025), that are changing when employers pay your SG contributions.

Starting from 1 July 2026, your SG contributions must be paid at the same time your salary/wages are paid. And they must hit your super account within seven business days (unless an extended timeframe applies, such as for new employees).

What happened before Payday Super?

Previously, SG contributions only needed to be paid 28 days after the end of the quarter.

It meant your super may have only been paid four times a year – on 28 January, 28 April, 28 July and 28 October.

It was confusing and didn’t make much sense.

Unpaid super affects your retirement savings. Missing or delayed contributions mean you miss out on compounding returns. Any insurance cover you have may also lapse if contributions stop.

And it’s a major issue. Unpaid superannuation was estimated by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to be over $6 billion in the last financial year^*.

^{*Source: Payday Super Readiness | APRA.}

What should I do if my super is unpaid or late?

Super might not land in your bank account like your regular pay, but it’s still your money – just saved for future you.

While most employers stay on top of their super obligations, mistakes can and do happen.

If you’re comfortable doing so, talk to your employer if you think payments are missing.

If you’ve spoken with your employer and still don’t see your super, you can report it to the ATO. They can investigate and, if necessary, recover the unpaid amount from your employer.

Payday Super explained: what it means for your super payments