News and Insights

Australia’s Payday Super Reforms: Transforming Employer Superannuation Obligations

Written by activpayroll | Oct 20, 2025 12:51:58 PM

Australia’s government has introduced landmark legislation that will transform how employers manage superannuation payments. The Payday Superannuation Bill 2025 and Superannuation Guarantee Charge Amendment Bill 2025, announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, aim to ensure employers will be required to pay their employees’ superannuation guarantee (SG) at the same time as their salary and wages. 

This change marks a significant shift in employer obligations, payroll processes, and compliance frameworks across Australia, setting a new benchmark for real-time superannuation payment and reporting. 

Employers: New Requirements and Key Changes

Under the proposed Payday Super legislation, employers will be required to make Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions at the same time as salary and wage payments, commonly referred to as Qualifying Earnings Day (QE Day). 

Key provisions under the draft legislation include: 

Preparing for Change

Although Payday Super is not yet law, its passage is expected, and businesses are encouraged to prepare early. Employers should take proactive steps to ensure compliance and operational readiness ahead of the 1st of July 2026 implementation date.

Key actions for employers include:

 Employee Perspective: Faster, Fairer Super Payments

For employees, Payday Super delivers clear benefits, super contributions will reach their accounts faster, enabling earlier compounding and improving retirement outcomes. The reform also reduces risks of unpaid or delayed super going unnoticed until compliance checks are completed.

The transition to Payday Super represents a major evolution in Australia’s payroll and superannuation landscape. With the government’s strong backing, employers should expect this initiative to become law and begin aligning systems, policies, and training programs accordingly.

Australia - Global Insights

Australia’s move towards real-time super contributions reflects a wider global shift towards digital-first payroll and tax compliance. For multinational employers, these developments reinforce the importance of harmonising payroll systems, improving data accuracy, and enhancing real-time reporting capabilities. 

For further detailed guidance on payroll, employment law, and compliance in Australia, visit our Australia Global Insights on the activpayroll website. 

Next Steps

If you would like to understand how Payday Super may impact your business or payroll processes, please get in touch. Complete our Contact Us form, and a member of our expert team will be happy to assist with your queries.