Written and maintained by Jeongdo Kim, a working holiday maker in Australia. Not a licensed financial adviser — every figure is sourced from the body that sets it. Source: ATO guidance on the super guarantee rate and the payday super rules effective 1 July 2026. General information only, not financial, legal or tax advice. See our editorial policy.
Updated for Payday Super · July 2026
Is your employer paying your super correctly?
From 1 July 2026, your super must be paid every payday — not quarterly — and must land in your fund within 7 business days. This free payday super calculator checks your payslip in 30 seconds.
- Official ATO & Fair Work rates
- Updated July 2026
- Free — no sign-up
- Your numbers never leave your browser
How much super should I get for my pay?
Your employer must pay 12% of your qualifying earnings for that pay period — the same 12% whether you are paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly. So take your gross pay for the period, subtract any overtime, and multiply by 0.12.
| Gross pay for the period | Super your employer owes |
|---|---|
| $500 | $60 |
| $800 | $96 |
| $1,000 | $120 |
| $1,200 | $144 |
| $1,500 | $180 |
| $2,000 | $240 |
| $2,500 | $300 |
| $3,000 | $360 |
| $4,000 | $480 |
Over a full year
| Yearly earnings | Super per year |
|---|---|
| $30,000 | $3,600 |
| $40,000 | $4,800 |
| $50,000 | $6,000 |
| $60,000 | $7,200 |
| $75,000 | $9,000 |
These are the legal minimums under the Super Guarantee. Some awards and employers pay more. Overtime and expense allowances are excluded from the calculation.
What counts towards your 12%?
Super is calculated on your qualifying earnings— broadly your ordinary pay. Here's the quick breakdown:
✅ Super IS paid on
- Ordinary hours of work
- Most bonuses and commissions
- Shift loadings and casual loading
- Annual leave (while employed)
❌ Super is NOT paid on
- Overtime
- Expense allowances (e.g. meal allowance)
- Most termination payments
- Unpaid parental leave
Underpaid? Here's what to do
- 1
Check your fund, not just your payslip
Open your super fund's app or online account. Under Payday Super, contributions must arrive within 7 business days of each payday. A number on a payslip means nothing until it lands in your fund.
- 2
Raise it with your employer in writing
Payroll mistakes are common, especially in the first months of the new rules. Email payroll with your payslip and the 12% calculation from this page. Keep a copy.
- 3
Report unpaid super to the ATO
If it isn't fixed, lodge a free referral using the ATO's online tool 'Report unpaid super contributions from my employer'. You'll need your TFN, your employer's ABN and the period of concern. Employers who miss the deadline owe the shortfall plus interest, paid into your fund.
Frequently asked questions
›What is Payday Super?
From 1 July 2026, Australian employers must pay superannuation at the same time as salary and wages, instead of quarterly. Contributions must arrive in your super fund within 7 business days of payday.
›How much super should my employer pay in 2026?
The Super Guarantee rate is 12% of your qualifying earnings (roughly your ordinary earnings, excluding overtime and certain allowances). If you earn $2,000 in a pay period, your employer must contribute at least $240 to your super fund.
›Does overtime count towards super?
No. Overtime payments are excluded from qualifying earnings, so your employer does not have to pay super on overtime. Expense allowances and most termination payments are also excluded.
›My payslip shows super but nothing arrived in my fund. Is that legal?
Under Payday Super, contributions must be received by your fund within 7 business days of payday. A payslip line item alone is not enough — check your super fund's app or statement. If money consistently doesn't arrive, you can report unpaid super to the ATO.
›What can I do if my employer isn't paying my super?
First, compare your payslip against the 12% calculation and check your fund's transaction history. Then raise it with your employer or payroll in writing. If it isn't fixed, lodge an 'unpaid super' enquiry with the ATO online — they can investigate and recover it with interest.
›I'm on a working holiday or student visa. Do I still get super?
Yes. Employers must pay super for temporary visa holders at the same 12% rate. When you permanently leave Australia you may be able to claim your super back as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP).
›Am I paying for insurance inside my super without knowing?
Possibly, though usually not if you are young with a small balance. Since the Protecting Your Super reforms, funds generally cannot provide default insurance to members under 25 or with balances under $6,000 unless you actively opted in, with some dangerous-occupation exceptions. But if you ticked the insurance box when joining, or your balance has grown past $6,000, premiums come straight out of your balance and can quietly eat a small account. Open your fund's app and check the insurance section — if you are leaving Australia and have no dependants, cancelling is often worth it.