Modelling shows expanding super for under-18s could help close the gender super gap from day one: Rest

Rest, one of Australia’s largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, says it’s time to scrap an unfair loophole and allow all under-18 workers to earn super, with new modelling showing the change could help to close the gender super gap.

Modelling by the Super Members Council of Australia, released today, shows a typical teenage female worker could boost their super by $2,500 by the time they turn 18 if they receive super contributions for at least 2 years. This is projected to grow to $11,000 (in today’s dollars) by the time they retire. ¹

The modelling also shows a typical male teenage worker could have $2,000 more super by age 18, and $9,000 more by retirement.

Currently, workers under the age of 18 are only eligible for compulsory Superannuation Guarantee payments from their employer if they work more than 30 hours per week for that employer, although some employers already voluntarily pay this.

Rest’s Chief Member Officer Simone Van Veen, says the modelling confirms that making super universal for all under-18 workers is essential for fairer and more equitable retirement outcomes.

“By changing this unfair law, not only can we help countless young Australians have a fairer start with their super, we can also help close the gender super gap,” says Ms Van Veen.

“Women under the age of 18 are less likely to work more than 30 hours than men.² We also know female Rest members of this age typically have smaller monthly contributions than under 18 male members.”³

“By the time they’re nearing retirement in their 60s, our female Rest members typically face a gender super gap of 27%.⁴

“Changing this law would mean we are taking another step to close this gender super gap for young women from day one of their working life.”

Ms Van Veen says an overwhelming majority of Rest members – especially our female members – support this change.

“We represent more than 1 million young members under the age of 30, many who work in part-time and casual roles. Every worker under the age of 18 deserves to earn super and receive the benefit of compounding returns no matter how many hours they work,” says Ms Van Veen.

“Research commissioned by Rest earlier this year showed that nearly all Rest members believe it’s important that superannuation applies to all working Australians regardless of how much they earn or how many hours they work.

“We urge the Government to commit to this change and include a thorough consultation process and multi-year staged approach to implementation to ensure the impact to employers is properly considered.”

Research conducted for Rest by Redbridge Group in early 2025⁵ included the following findings.

• 98% of Rest members said it was important for superannuation to apply to all working Australians regardless of how much they earn or how many hours they work.
• 99% of female Rest members said it was important.
• 71% said they supported making super payable to all workers under the age of 18, regardless of how many hours they work. Only 5% opposed it.
• 73% of female members said they supported this.