Payday Super Changes from July 2026: What Employers Need to Know
Written by Nadia Hollis - Bookkeeper.
A major change to how and when Super must be paid is coming from 1st July 2026.
This is a significant shift from the current quarterly system and will require changes to how and when super is paid for your employees (and eligible contractors).
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR BUSINESS:
Under the new rules, employers will be required to:
Pay superannuation on each payday, at the same time as salary and wages
Ensure the super fund receives the contribution within 7 business days of payday
Be aware that the ATO Small Business Superannuation Clearing House will be closed, meaning super will need to be processed via alternative platforms or payroll integrations (if you need help moving across to these please let us know)
Once these rules come into effect, quarterly super payments will no longer be compliant.
WHY WE RECOMMEND STARTING EARLY:
Although the official start date is July 2026, we strongly recommend beginning the transition as early as possible. Moving to payday super now allows you to:
Gradually adjust your existing payroll and cash-flow processes
Avoid last-minute changes or compliance pressure closer to the deadline
Reduce the risk of errors, late payments, and penalties
Early adoption also ensures your business is well prepared and compliant well ahead of time.
COMPLIANCE & ADDITIONAL COSTS:
It’s important to highlight that non-compliance (i.e paying late) with payday super rules may result in Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC) obligations. This can lead to:
Loss of tax deductibility on super payments
Interest and ATO penalties (which now on a weekly basis will be exposed to sadly potentially accumulate frequently)
Additional accounting and administrative fees for the time required to calculate, prepare, and lodge SGC statements
YOUR OPTIONS:
You can:
Have your super aligned to your regular pay cycle (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly)
Set it up through your payroll or an approved platform
Get help making sure everything is structured correctly
The right approach for you may depend on how your payroll currently runs.
If you’d like help understanding what this means for your business, or want support setting it up the right way, reach out to our team today.
📧 hello@fenwickcollective.com.au
📞 07 5630 1586
This is general advice only and does not take into account your financial circumstances, needs and objectives. Before making any decision based on this document, you should assess your own circumstances or seek advice from your financial adviser and seek tax advice from your accountant.