Payday Super Is Now Law: What Employers Must Do Before July 2026

Earlier this year the Government introduced Payday Super legislation to Parliament. On 4^th November 2025, the new legislation passed into law.

From 1 July 2026, every employer in Australia will be legally required to change how they pay superannuation.

If you employ staff, you’ll need to be ready.

Let’s break down what this means for you in your business and what you should be doing now to prepare.

What’s Changed (And What’s Staying the Same)

Right now, you are probably paying superannuation quarterly. Under the new Payday Super laws:

👉 You must pay super at the same time you pay your wages. So, if you pay staff weekly, you pay Super weekly. If you pay staff fortnightly, super is also paid fortnightly. You’ll need to pay them super on that same cycle.

👉 Super contributions generally must reach the employee’s super fund within 7 business days of payday.

👉 The quarterly model is being replaced, so you can no longer wait until the end of the quarter to make all payments in a lump sum.

👉 These rules will apply whether you pay weekly, fortnightly, or monthly — so long as you have wages going out, super must follow.

This is a significant shift in how super payments are processed and tracked — and it will affect your payroll, cash flow, and compliance processes.

Why This Matters

The goal of Payday Super is to ensure employees receive their retirement contributions sooner and more consistently. It will also give employers and the ATO better visibility over super compliance.

For employers, the change means you’ll need to:

• update your payroll process
• review cash flow planning
• ensure employee super fund data is accurate
• be prepared to make contributions every pay cycle

These changes aren’t just technical — they affect how your business operates at the most regular level of payroll and people management.

Practical Steps to Get Ready (Now)

1. Review your super payment provider – Check whether your current super payment provider can handle more frequent super payments and 7-day settlement deadlines.
2. Review your employee super fund data – Make sure every employee’s super fund details are current and accurate to avoid rejected payments or compliance risks.
3. Plan your cash flow – Rather than setting money aside quarterly, factor super into each pay run so funds are available when needed.
4. Talk to your team (or advisor) – Whether it’s your accountant, bookkeeper, or HR support, make sure everyone involved in payroll knows what’s changing.

Final Thought

Don’t wait until the last minute — start preparing your systems and processes now so you’re ready from 1 July 2026.

Need help preparing for Payday Super?
The Aster HR team can help review your payroll processes, update systems, and build compliance confidence ahead of the July 2026 changes. Send us a message or book a consultation today. 👍