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Back to Employer obligations

Get ready for Payday Super

What is Payday Super?
What Payday Super means for your business
How you can prepare for Payday Super
How Rest can help you meet your Payday Super requirements
Payday Super FAQs
January 28 2026
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From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super at the same time as wages. Let’s explore what Payday Super means, how it impacts your business, and how to prepare. 

What is Payday Super?

Payday Super is new legislation that means employers pay super contributions at the same time as wages. This comes into effect from 1 July 2026.

Previously, employers had to pay at least four times a year by the quarterly due dates (but could pay more often if they wanted). From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super at the same time as payroll, and contributions must reach the employee's super fund within seven business days.

For employees, this change means better visibility of contributions and more time for compounding returns. For employers, it means reducing the risk of missed payments, improving compliance and streamlining payroll processes.

With the Super Guarantee rate now at 12%, these changes help every dollar work harder for retirement. 

What Payday Super means for your business

Payday Super may make super obligations easier for some businesses by reducing missed payments and avoiding SGC penalties. However, many employers may need to upgrade payroll systems, adjust their payment processes, and plan for tighter cash flow to handle more frequent payments and real-time ATO reporting. 

Here are key areas to understand about Payday Super: 

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When to pay super

From 1 July 2026, you must pay super at the same time as wages. Contributions need to reach the employee’s fund within seven business days of payday.*

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Qualifying earnings

Payday Super introduces Qualifying Earnings (QE): the amount payable to an employee on their regular pay cycle. QE determines how much super you owe each time you run payroll, now called QE day. 

Find out more
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Super guarantee charge (SGC) changes

The penalty for late or missing super will align with the new payment frequency. Employers who don’t pay within the required timeframe may face additional charges and compliance action. 

Find out more

   

* There are a few exceptions to the seven-day rule, such as:

  • first-time super payments for a new employee; and
  • payments made outside the usual pay cycle.  

How you can prepare for Payday Super

Start planning now to make the Payday Super transition smoother:

  1. Check employee data: Make sure all details (name, TFN, super fund info) are correct in your payroll software to avoid delays.
  2. Update onboarding: Capture Choice of Fund early for new hires to prevent bounce backs.
  3. Plan for cash flow: More frequent payments may mean adjusting budgets and forecasts.
  4. Train your team: Ensure payroll and finance staff understand the new rules and timelines.
  5. Review payroll systems: Confirm your software can handle more frequent super payments.
  6. Stay informed: Keep up to date with ATO guidance and legislative updates.
  7. Consider Rest Pay: A new contributions platform we’re offering that can keep up with Payday Super. 

How Rest can help you meet your Payday Super requirements

Rest offer a super contributions platform to its employers at no cost.  

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Easy to use

Rest Pay makes managing super contributions simpler for you and your team. It’s intuitive, user-friendly interface, real time contribution tracking and purpose-built features support fast onboarding and workflow efficiency,

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Secure

In the current cyberthreat landscape, we know your data security is non-negotiable. Rest Pay requires multi-factor authentication, enforces strong password hygiene and has functions to reduce financial crime risks and keep your data and information protected.​

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Payday Super ready

With features like real time data validation and automated reminders and prompts, Rest Pay can help your team avoid errors, minimise rejected contributions and process refunds more quickly – supporting accuracy, compliance and speed.

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Need a way to pay super contributions? 

Rest Pay^ is a simple way to manage all your super contributions – for any super fund – from one place. It’s Payday Super ready, offers market-leading security and was designed to save you time.

Learn more

Here to help you manage your obligations

We know that changes like this can feel overwhelming. If you have questions about Payday Super or need help preparing, we’re here for you. 

Talk to us today

 

Payday Super FAQs

 

Do I need to change my payroll system?

Some employers will need to update their systems to support more frequent payments. Check with your provider early to avoid compliance issues. If you’re feeling lost, consider if Rest Pay may better suit your business.

How often will I need to pay super?

You’ll need to pay super aligned with every pay cycle, such as weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, and the payment must reach your employees’ super funds within seven business days of payday. The current quarterly payments and due dates will no longer be allowed as the minimum standard. 

What are Qualifying Earnings (QE)?

Qualifying Earnings (QE) is the amount you pay an employee for their regular pay cycle. It’s still based on Ordinary Time Earnings and worked out on the day you run payroll, called QE day. 

What happens if I miss a payment?

You may incur the Super Guarantee Charge and additional penalties.

What happens to the ATO’s Small Business Clearing House?

From 1 October 2025, new sign-ups will stop for ATO’s Small Business Clearing House, and it will close on 1 July 2026. Employers using it will need to find an alternative clearing house solution.

When does Payday Super start?

The new Payday Super rules apply from 1 July 2026.

Why is Payday Super being introduced?

Payday Super aims to improve retirement savings for employees and reduce instances of unpaid and underpaid super. More frequent payments means both employees, employers, and the ATO have better visibility over payments being made and allows for greater compounding returns over time.

 

^Rest Pay is the brand name for the clearing house solution provided by Wrkr Ltd (ABN 50 611 202 414) and ClickSuper Pty Ltd (ABN 48 122 693 985, AFSL 337805) trading as Wrkr PAY. The clearing house solution includes the Clearing House issued by ClickSuper Pty Ltd and the PDS is available here. You should consider the PDS before deciding whether to use or keep using the Clearing House. Wrkr Ltd and ClickSuper Pty Ltd are solely responsible for the clearing house solution.