More payday details confirmed for 2026

Recently, the Federal Treasury released a fact sheet containing more details about the upcoming changes.  The fact sheet contains further information about the payment timings required. The most important update is that employees must receive their contributions in their super account within 7 calendar days of payday.   

Why does Payday need to happen? 

While most employers do the right thing, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) estimates $3.4 billion worth of super went unpaid in 2019–20. These SG underpayments are negatively affecting retirement outcomes for millions of Australians.  

Although not yet finalised, Payday Super also has an update to the Super Guarantee (SG) charge.  

This update reflects the serious impact that underpayment or late payment of SG can have on individuals outcomes at retirement.  

These updates to the SG charge also make up for delays or potentially missed money from late payments. It’s also an incentive for employers to address unpaid superannuation quickly.   

The updated SG charge framework will:  

• Put workers in the same position as if the contributions had been received in full and on time;   

• Incentivise employers to quickly disclose and rectify any instances of unpaid superannuation; and  

• Scale up consequences for employers who don’t pay on time, with bigger penalties for employers who repeatedly do the wrong thing. 

You can read more about SG charge in the Federal Treasuries Payday Super fact sheet 

Transitioning to Payday Super

In the latest announcement, the Treasury has also provided details to support employers, employees and the payroll industry prepare to transition to Payday Super.  

• The deadline for superannuation funds to allocate or return contributions will be reduced to three business days, down from 20.   

• The SuperStream data and payment standards will be revised to allow payments via the New Payments Platform and improve error messaging to ensure employers and intermediaries can quickly address errors.  

• Given the improvement in payroll software solutions over recent years provides employers with cost-effective and more fit for purpose options for paying superannuation contributions on payday, the ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House will be retired from 1 July 2026. The ATO will engage with small businesses ahead of time to support them in transitioning to an alternative that is fit-for-purpose for Payday Super. 

•  Revised choice of fund rules will make it easier for employees to nominate their superannuation fund when they start a new job. Employers will be able to show employees their existing ‘stapled’ fund during onboarding, as part of the choice of fund. This will reduce the risk of unintended duplicate accounts and give employers more timely and accurate details.  

• Advertising of superannuation products during onboarding will be limited to MySuper products that have passed the most recent performance test to protect employees from poor outcomes. 

Payday Super Fact Sheet, The Treasury, 2024 

Payday Super brings employers closer to their employees 

Lead the way with Payday

Payday Super will have a significant impact on how Australian businesses are paying super, particularly if you’re already struggling to make super contributions on time. 

Super payments resources for business owners 

Although Payday Super isn’t kicking in until 2026, you can start preparing now. Employers can streamline their payments process by using Beam’s integrated payroll supertech. Our Supertech makes paying super simpler 

Find out if your payroll is integrated with Beam here 

Already using one of our payroll partners software?

Find out how to register here

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This is general information. It’s not based on the specific objectives, financial situation or needs of your business. So think about those things and read the Product Disclosure Statement before you make any decision about our products. Contact us or your payroll provider for a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).  

Beam is issued by Precision Administration Services Pty Ltd (Precision) (ABN 47 098 977 667, AFSL 246 604). Precision is wholly owned by Australian Retirement Trust Pty Ltd (ABN 88 010 720 840, AFSL 228 975), trustee of Australian Retirement Trust (ABN 60 905 115 063).  

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