Significant reforms to the Australian superannuation system are about to take effect and could help people boost their super balances in the lead-up to retirement.
They are being billed as the biggest changes in decades to the superannuation system in Australia and the reforms may support improved retirement outcomes for Australians.
From July 1, 2026, a new set of laws known as Payday Super will alter the way compulsory retirement savings are paid, which may have long-term implications for millions of workers and investors.
Under previous rules, employers were only required to pay superannuation contributions at least once per quarter. In practice, this meant some employers accrued contributions each pay cycle but only transferred them to employees’ funds four times a year. The overhaul, as part of the Superannuation Guarantee Charge Amendment Bill 2025, means employers must pay employees’ super at the same time as wages are paid.
The contributions must also be received by your super fund within seven business days, unless special allowances apply (such as for new employees). This means that funds are expected to be directed more quickly to workers, rather than sitting in employers’ bank accounts for months earning interest.
The possible benefits
Treasury modeling suggests that, under the new rules, a 25-year-old median income earner currently receiving their super quarterly and wages fortnightly could be around $6,000, or approximately 1.5% better off at retirement.
Another likely advantage is a potential reduction of instances of unpaid Superannuation Guarantee contributions. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) estimates that around $6 billion is currently unpaid to workers.
Finally, it should make it easier for employees to stay on top of their super, as contributions are paid at the same time as their salary and can be tracked through their online accounts.
Keep monitoring your super options
What will not change from July is the Super Guarantee percentage for payments – this will stay at 12%.
However, having your super contributions paid earlier means that there may be more time for your balance to benefit from compound earnings. ASFA also comments that Payday Super should especially help younger Australians and workers such as tradespeople, who are more than twice as likely to miss out on super payments.
Of course, the returns that super contributions generate will depend on how your fund performs and the fees it charges.
For that reason, it’s still important to consider factors such as fees, and investment strategy when choosing a super fund.
ATO on the lookout
Most employees are unlikely to need to take action as a result of the Payday Super reforms, other than to check your pay slips and online account to ensure the right super is being paid at the right time. If it isn’t, first check directly with your employer and report to the ATO if needed.
The ATO has pledged to monitor employers to make sure they comply with the new rules. That promise provides hope that super will be paid more often to workers from July 1, potentially allowing them to build a larger nest egg for retirement.