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Funds step up preparations for payday super reforms
Super funds are strengthening systems and modelling member benefits ahead of payday super.
Super funds are intensifying preparations for the rollout of payday super, with UniSuper and Rest moving early to upgrade infrastructure and highlight the benefits for members as the 1 July 2026 deadline approaches.
Speaking to SuperReview, manager of employer experience at UniSuper, Rhiannon Robinson, said the fund has been enhancing its employer-facing systems over the past year to prepare for the increased frequency of contributions.
“We are delivering an improved secure employer portal, a more robust and user-friendly contribution system and changed our contribution gateway,” she said. “These things put us in a stronger position to deal with the increase in contribution frequency in preparation for payday super.”
Robinson added that UniSuper expects less disruption than some rivals, as most of its largest employers already pay super in line with payroll.
The fund has also invested heavily in digital onboarding solutions, allowing new members to join instantly and transact securely using multi factor authentication.
According to Robinson, UniSuper is on track to meet its obligations under the New Payments Platform.
“We’re doing the preparation work to ensure that we can meet our obligations to accept NPP payments by the 1 July 2026 deadline.”
The reforms will also require funds to allocate contributions within three business days, down from 20. Robinson said groundwork with employers to improve data quality would leave UniSuper in a strong position.
Meanwhile, Rest chief service officer, Brendan Daly, emphasised the member benefits of the change, particularly for younger and casual workers.
“We believe payday super will help millions of working Australians achieve fairer and more equitable retirement outcomes, particularly those who work in part-time and casual roles,” he said.
While some employers already align contributions with payroll, Daly noted that many of Rest’s two million members are still paid out of sync.
The fund estimates a 20-year-old earning $36,000 could retire $8,400 better off if super is paid monthly rather than quarterly, and $10,600 better off if paid fortnightly.
He said more frequent contributions would also make it easier for members to track their balances, while highlighting the importance of upgrading infrastructure such as clearing houses.
Rest has piloted Wrkr’s new platform with employers, designed for payday super, and reported positive feedback on its ease of use and payroll integration.
“We are pleased with the success of the pilot and the encouraging responses we received from the participating employers, and we look forward to working closely with Wrkr and our administrator MUFG Pension & Market Services on the next steps to roll out the platform in the coming months,” Daly said.
Previously, ASFA has thrown its weight behind the reforms and urged parliament to legislate without delay.
Chief executive Mary Delahunty said any holdup would hurt long-term savings.
ASFA’s modelling revealed that a 30-year-old on average wages who misses one year of contributions will retire with $25,000 less.
Delahunty said missed payments in early working life can have significant long-term impacts because of compounding.
She also noted that quarterly payments make it harder for employees to monitor compliance, with underpayments often detected too late.
Payday super would allow workers to match payslips with fund statements each pay cycle, helping them spot issues early and improving retirement outcomes for around 90 per cent of Australian employees.
AUTHOR
Adrian Suljanovic
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