Navigating the Superannuation Changes: What Employers Need to Know

Superannuation is about to undergo some significant changes in the next few years, and it’s crucial for employers to stay ahead of the curve. With the Super Guarantee (SG) rate increasing to 12% in July 2025 and a major shift in how and when super is paid in July 2026, it’s time to start preparing your business for the changes ahead.

In this blog, we’ll break down what these changes mean, how they’ll affect your business, and what steps you need to take to stay compliant.

The SG Rate Increase: What’s Changing in 2025?

On 1 July 2025, the SG rate will rise to 12%. This means that employers will need to contribute more towards their employees’ superannuation. For example, if you have an employee earning $60,000 per year, their employer’s contribution will increase from $6,900 (at the current 11.5% rate) to $7,200 (at the new 12% rate).

While an increase of 0.5% might not sound like much, that extra $300 per year could make a significant difference to employees’ retirement savings in the long term, especially with compounding interest.

Superannuation Contribution Quarters

Super contributions will still be paid quarterly, according to the following periods:

Quarter 1: 1 July – 30 September
Quarter 2: 1 October – 31 December
Quarter 3: 1 January – 31 March
Quarter 4: 1 April – 30 June

These dates are important for calculating when super contributions are due. Employers must ensure payments are made within the required timeframes to avoid penalties.

Major Change: Payday Super from July 2026

Here’s where things start to get interesting: from 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay super contributions at the same time as wages. This means that employers will no longer be able to delay super payments until the end of each quarter. Instead, super must be paid within 7 days of payday.

What Does This Mean for Employers?

Aligning Payroll with Super Payments: This change means you’ll need to update your payroll systems to ensure that super is paid at the same time as employee wages. Many businesses will need to invest in better payroll software or work with payroll service providers who can accommodate these changes.
Managing Cash Flow More Carefully: With more frequent super payments, your business will need to manage cash flow carefully. You’ll be paying super contributions more often, which may impact your cash reserves. It’s a good idea to factor these payments into your budgeting and cash flow forecasts.
Avoiding Penalties: If super contributions aren’t made within 7 days of payday, employers will face a Super Guarantee Charge (SGC). This charge includes the outstanding super shortfall, interest (to compensate employees for the delay), and additional administrative fees. Not only could this impact your business financially, but it could also damage your reputation with employees.

What’s Changing for Small Businesses?

Starting in 2026, the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) will be retired. Small businesses will no longer be able to use this service to make super payments. Instead, businesses will need to transition to more modern payroll solutions that can handle the more frequent payments and ensure they’re made on time.

SuperStream and STP Updates

There are also some updates coming for SuperStream and Single Touch Payroll (STP):

SuperStream: Employers will need to ensure that contributions are processed faster. Super funds will have 3 business days (down from 20) to allocate or return contributions. Payments will also be processed through the New Payments Platform for faster, more accurate processing.
STP: Employers will need to report both ordinary time earnings (OTE) and the total super liability for each employee through STP. This ensures that superannuation contributions are tracked accurately and that any discrepancies can be spotted quickly.

Key Takeaways for Employers

The upcoming changes to superannuation will require some careful planning, but with the right steps, your business can easily adapt. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

Update Your Payroll System: You’ll need to ensure that your payroll system can handle the new requirements, particularly for Payday Super in 2026. This might mean upgrading software or finding a new provider.
Manage Cash Flow: With more frequent super payments, be mindful of your business’s cash flow. Start planning now to ensure that super contributions are paid on time without affecting your other financial obligations.
Avoid Penalties: Failing to pay super on time could result in hefty penalties. Stay on top of the 7-day deadline for super payments to avoid the Super Guarantee Charge (SGC).

Speak to Your Accountant and Consider Software Upgrades

As these changes can feel overwhelming, it’s a great idea to speak to your accountant if you have any questions or need advice on the best way forward for your business. They can help ensure that you’re fully prepared and compliant with the new rules.

Additionally, you may want to discuss options for software upgrades to streamline your payroll process and reduce administrative time. Modern payroll systems can automate super contributions and help ensure that payments are made on time, saving you time and reducing the risk of penalties.

Conclusion: Stay Ahead of the Changes

The changes to superannuation — from the 12% rate in 2025 to the Payday Super rules in 2026 — will affect how you manage and pay super for your employees. While these changes may require some initial adjustments, they will ultimately benefit both employees and employers by making the system more efficient and transparent.

By preparing now, updating your payroll systems, and keeping track of your cash flow, you can avoid penalties and ensure that your employees’ super is paid accurately and on time.

Have any questions or need help navigating these changes? Speak to your accountant or get in touch with us — we’re happy to help!