With Payday Super kicking off, super funds are having to adjust to the new measures to support employers meet their requirements.
Payday Super is an Australian Government reform that requires employers to pay their employees’ Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions at the same time they pay their normal wages, rather than on a quarterly basis.
The Payday Super Regulations were formally made on 19 February 2026, detailing the rules to support Payday Super’s operation.
ASFA modelling shows a 25-year-old on average wages could be around $5,000 better off at retirement from receiving super fortnightly rather than quarterly.
Cbus
Cbus Super chief strategy officer Bernie Dean, said: “Cbus has been campaigning for this change for a long time because we know unpaid super is a persistent problem across the building and construction industry. This matters to our members more than most; they deserve to know their super is landing on time which means more time for it to compound and grow.
“Payday Super will become another key pillar in our world-leading compulsory superannuation system and will help Australian workers retire with dignity and security.”
Aware Super
Aware Super CEO Deanne Stewart said: “This is a genuine win for Australian workers. Super is as important to people’s financial wellbeing as the wages in their pocket and should be treated that way. Payday Super fixes an outdated system and Australian workers will ultimately be better off for it.
“This change will help ensure workers receive the right amount of super and can track their payments more easily. It also means contributions will be invested sooner, building retirement savings faster.”
Rest
Simone Van Veen, chief member officer at Rest, said: “Payday Super is good for working Australians and Rest’s more than 2.1 million members because it gives members greater visibility and confidence that contributions are being paid as expected, while supporting long-term retirement outcomes. Our focus is on helping employers transition with confidence, without adding administrative burden, so they can stay focused on running their business and supporting their teams.”
SMC
Super Members Council chief executive Misha Schubert said: “Australians right across the country overwhelmingly back payday super, because they want more visibility and confidence that their super is being paid properly – on time, every time, in full.
“Unpaid super is a silent pay cut that costs Australian workers nearly $6 billion each year. This is money Australians have earned but never been paid – and it’s leaving millions much poorer at retirement.”
ASFA
Mary Delahunty, chief executive of ASFA, said: “Payday Super is the most significant change to how employers pay super since 2005, when workers first gained the right to choose their own fund, putting them in full control of where their retirement savings were invested. This meant employers had to pay super to multiple funds rather than just one employer-nominated fund.
“This is a real milestone moment for the retirement savings of 18 million Australians. Workers will accumulate more simply by being paid super when they earn it, and unpaid super will be harder to hide.”
