With the third month of Payday Super underway, it's time to bust more myths.
Myth: If I don't report something through Single Touch Payroll (STP), Payday Super doesn't apply
Fact: Under Payday Super, you need to report both qualifying earnings and super liability amounts through STP.
You need to report employees' payroll information through your STP-enabled software. This includes:
- salaries and wages
- pay as you go (PAYG) withholding
- qualifying earnings
- super liability.
Not reporting these amounts doesn’t remove your obligations.
If you haven’t started reporting qualifying earnings and super liability, you should begin reporting these amounts as soon as possible. Ensure you report the correct year-to-date figure for qualifying earnings and super liability in that first lodgment.
You don't need to request a STP deferral if you can start reporting qualifying earnings during the 2026–27 financial year.
From 1 July 2027, if you don't report qualifying earnings and super liability, the ATO will reject your report and penalties may apply.
See STP reporting under Payday Super for more information.
Myth: If I miss a super payment, I can fix it in the next payday with no consequences
Fact: If you don't pay the right amount, on time and to the correct fund, you are liable for the super guarantee charge (SGC).
If you miss a super payment, you should fix this as soon as possible by paying outstanding amounts to your employee's super fund. Even if you can't pay the full amount, paying a partial amount to the fund will reduce any SGC that you will become liable to pay.
Where you are liable for the SGC, we will issue you a notice of assessment. Once issued, you need to pay the SGC to the ATO.
Myth: Payday Super changes who I need to pay super for
Fact: Payday Super changes how often you pay super, not who you need to pay super for.
Depending on your payroll, you could now be paying super weekly, fortnightly or monthly. You need to continue to pay super for:
- most employees (full-time, part-time and casual)
- employees aged 18 and over
- employees under 18 if they work more than 30 hours per week
- independent contractors paid mostly for their labour.
If you’re unsure, we have information to help you work out if you have to pay super.
Myth: If I pay within 7 business days, it’s on time
Fact: Payments only count once they are received by your employee’s fund, not when you submit them.
Super must generally be received by the super fund within 7 business days after payday to be considered on time (unless longer applies, such as for new employees).
Check processing times for payments and how rejected payments are communicated so you can identify and fix any errors quickly. Funds must allocate to a member’s account or return unallocated contributions to you within 3 business days.
Don’t leave paying super to the end of the 7 business days as you won’t have enough time. There are no extensions to the timeframe if a payment is rejected by a super fund.
See more tips on meeting the 7 business day timeframe.
Find more information and resources on Payday Super.
You can also speak to a registered tax practitioner for advice.
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