Payday Super: Your super, paid sooner
New Payday Super rules mean super contributions will arrive in your account faster and be invested for longer.
From 1 July 2026, a major change is coming to how Australians receive their super. Known as Payday Super, the reform will require employers to pay your super contributions at the same time as your salary or wages, rather than only every three months as some do now.
For millions of Australians who are busy juggling work, family and finances, this change is designed to make super simpler, more transparent and potentially more rewarding over time.
Super paid when you’re paid
Under Payday Super, employers will need to pay your super on your pay day, whether you’re paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Your employer will then have up to seven business days to make sure the payment reaches your super fund.
This replaces the current system where employers can make contributions quarterly, or sometimes months after you’ve earned them.
The biggest benefit? Your super will reach your account sooner, giving it more time to stay invested and grow. Even small amounts invested earlier can make a difference over the long term thanks to compound returns.
Payday Super should also make it easier to keep track of what your employer is paying, as contributions will more closely align with each payslip. This can help members quickly spot if something doesn’t look right.
A few exceptions
There are some situations where the timing may differ. If you start a new job or change your super fund, your employer will have 20 business days from payday to make the contribution to your new fund. This allows time for the correct details to be processed.
What you can do now
While the changes don’t start until mid-2026, there are a few simple steps you can take now to prepare.
- First, make sure your employer has your correct super fund details. This helps to make sure your contributions are sent to the right place.
- Second, if you have more than one super fund, it may also be worth considering whether consolidating them makes sense for you. Combining accounts can help avoid paying multiple sets of fees and make your super easier to manage1.
- Finally, if you change super funds, remember to tell your employer straight away so future contributions go to the fund you choose.
Payday Super is designed to bring super contributions closer to your pay cycle, helping Australians stay on top of their retirement savings and potentially grow them faster over time.
1 Before you combine your super, you should find out about exit or withdrawal fees your other fund/s might charge, as well as any entitlements or insurance cover that might stop when you close your other account/s.
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