You must pay super guarantee (SG) contributions for eligible employees. SG is in addition to salary and wages.
We can help you work out if you have to pay super.
You will need to pay:
- a minimum amount of the current SG rate applied to their ordinary time earnings, but you can pay more
- into a complying super fund – in most cases, your employees can choose the super fund
- at least 4 times a year by the due date. A contribution is considered 'paid' on the date it is received by the super fund, meaning you need to allow time for processing. This is especially relevant if you use a commercial clearing house. If you don’t pay in full, on time or to the right super fund, you will have to pay the super guarantee charge (SGC) which is made up of:
- the super you owe (calculated on salary and wages, not ordinary time earnings)
- nominal interest on those amounts (currently 10%)
- an administration fee of $20 per employee, per quarter
- through SuperStream, where super payments and information move through the system electronically.
You may be able to use the free Small Business Superannuation Clearing House to make super contributions for your employees. You provide the contribution information for all your employees and make a single electronic payment to the clearing house – the clearing house does the rest.
If you miss the quarterly due date or underpay the super contributions, you need to lodge a SGC statement.
You need to keep records that show:
- the amount of super you paid for each employee
- that you offered your employees a choice of super fund
- how you calculated the super contributions.
When new employees start, you may have an extra step to take to comply with choice of fund rules if they don’t choose a super fund. You may now need to request their stapled super fund details from us.
If you don't meet your choice of super fund obligations, additional penalties may apply.
If you need help, phone the Superannuation infoline on 13 10 20.
You must pay super guarantee (SG) contributions for eligible employees. SG is in addition to salary and wages.