If you employ people, there’s a meaningful change coming on 1 July 2026, and now is a great time to get across what’s coming so you’re not caught off guard when the new financial year kicks off. The government is introducing Payday Super, and it will change the way you calculate and pay your employees’ superannuation.
The good news? It’s not as complicated as it might sound, and there’s still time to prepare!
What’s actually changing?
Right now, employers pay super four times a year – as long as it reaches your employee’s super fund within 28 days of the end of each quarter, you’re doing the right thing.
From 1 July 2026, super will need to be paid on the same day as wages, every single pay run. Once it’s sent, it needs to land in the employee’s super fund within 7 business days.
Important tip: Think of it less like a quarterly bill and more like another line item on your payslip.
What about how super is calculated?
There is also a small change to how super is calculated. Super has traditionally been based on 12% of an employee’s regular wages. Under the new rules, the calculation will instead be based on Qualifying Earnings, which slightly broadens the amounts included. For example, salary sacrifice contributions will now form part of the calculation. For most employers, the practical difference will be minimal, but it’s worth checking with us to make sure your payroll is set up correctly.
What happens if a payment is missed?
If you fail to pay within the 7 business days, you’ll still need to lodge a Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC) Statement. This remains a self-reporting obligation, and penalties will apply, including 10% interest and administrative fees.
What should you be doing now?
There are a few things worth looking at before 1 July:
Your payroll software. Most modern systems will handle this automatically, but it’s worth confirming with your provider that everything will be ready in time.
Your employees’ super fund details. Any errors that were easy to fix under the old quarterly system will need to be sorted much faster under the new rules. Now is a good time to make sure everything is accurate.
Your payment method. If you currently use the ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House, that service is closing on 30 June 2026 and you’ll need to switch to an alternative. The easiest option for most businesses is checking whether your existing payroll software (like Xero or MYOB) already has a built-in super payment function, and if so, you’re most of the way there!
We’re here to help
Change can feel a bit daunting, but this one is very manageable with a little preparation. Whether you need help reviewing your payroll setup, understanding what counts as qualifying earnings, or just want to make sure you’re ready before the deadline – we’re here to walk through it with you and make sure you head into the new financial year prepared.
rebecca@kaleidoscopeaccounting.com.au | 0417 859 700
