Payday Super: What You Need to Know Before 1 July 2026
Big changes are coming to how employers pay superannuation. From 1 July 2026, all employers will need to pay their employees’ super at the same time as wages — rather than quarterly.
This reform, known as “Payday Super,” aims to make super contributions more consistent, transparent, and easier for employees to track. But it also means businesses will need to adjust their payroll processes to stay compliant.
What’s Changing
Currently, employers only need to pay superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions by the 28th day after each quarter ends. Under the new rules, super must be paid within 7 business days of the employee’s pay day (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly).
In practice, this means:
Super contributions will need to reach the employee’s super fund within seven business days of payday.
Employers will no longer be able to hold super accruals until the end of the quarter.
The ATO will gain faster visibility of unpaid or late super through Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting.
Why It’s Changing
The move to payday super is designed to:
✅ Help employees grow their super faster by getting money invested sooner.
✅ Reduce unpaid, late or missing super contributions.
✅ Give workers more timely information and confidence about their retirement savings.
What It Means for Employers
While the change supports employees, it also means extra attention for business cash flow and payroll timing.
Key things to review before 1 July 2026:
Payroll Software: Ensure your system can process super automatically with each pay run (Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks, etc. are already building updates). Some accounting software has already rolled out the changes to make payday super easier so you may see these new options when completing a payroll.
Cash Flow: Budget for more frequent super payments so you’re not caught short mid-quarter.
Employee Records: Double-check everyone’s super fund details are correct to avoid rejected payments.
Processes & Authorisations: Update internal procedures so super is approved and paid alongside wages.
Training & Communication: Let staff know what’s changing and when they can expect to see super appear in their fund.
We do recommend that employers start transitioning to payday super now to spread the impact and avoid a last-minute rush before July 2026. Taking proactive steps early — such as updating payroll software, adjusting cash-flow forecasts, and reviewing employee super fund details — will make the shift smoother and help ensure compliance when the new rules begin.
How We Can Help
At Dawson Accounting & Business Solutions, we can help you:
Review your current payroll setup and ensure your systems are ready for payday super.
Model cash-flow impacts and help you plan for the transition.
Provide guidance on ATO compliance and reporting requirements.
Support you with practical tools — checklists, payroll templates, and reminders — to keep things running smoothly.
Final Thoughts
These reforms are a positive step for employee super and business transparency, but they do require early planning. Getting payroll right now means fewer headaches later.
If you’d like help reviewing your systems or understanding how this affects your business, reach out to our team — we’re here to make the transition simple and stress-free.