Payday Super Is Official: What Small Business Owners Need to Do Before 1 July 2026
On 4 November 2025, the Federal Government passed legislation that officially introduces Payday Super — a major change to how employers will need to handle superannuation.
Instead of paying super quarterly, employers will soon need to pay it at the same time as wages.
For many businesses, that means updating payroll systems, payment processes, and bookkeeping workflows well before the deadline.
Here’s what you need to know, and what to start preparing for now.
✅ What Is Payday Super?
From 1 July 2026, employers must pay their employees’ super contributions every time they pay wages or salary — weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.
This is designed to improve retirement outcomes for workers and reduce unpaid or late super contributions across Australia.
⏰ Key Changes for Employers
Starting 1 July 2026:
✔ Super is due at the same time as payroll
No more quarterly payments. Each pay run must include a super payment.
✔ Super funds must receive SG within 7 business days
Even small delays can trigger compliance issues.
✔ The Super Guarantee Charge (SGC) rules are changing
Penalties will increase for late or unpaid super — making accurate, timely bookkeeping more important than ever.
✔ New employees’ super must be processed sooner
You’ll have 20 business days from the day after wages are paid for the employee’s super fund to receive their first contribution.
✔ The ATO Small Business Super Clearing House (SBSCH) will close
All employers will need to move to a new clearing house or payroll-integrated payment system before July 2026.
💼 What This Means for Small Businesses
If your business pays staff weekly or fortnightly, your super payment frequency will increase — and your systems need to keep up.
For most employers, this will mean:
Updating payroll software
Checking super clearing house integrations
Improving record-keeping accuracy
Adjusting cash flow planning
For businesses still making manual payments or processing super quarterly, it’s time to start transitioning.
📍 Why This Matters
Payday Super will help protect employees, but it also changes compliance obligations for employers.
Missing payments — even by a few days — may trigger tougher penalties under updated Super Guarantee rules.
For small businesses without in-house payroll staff, this makes accurate, timely bookkeeping more important than ever.
✅ How to Prepare Now
Make sure your payroll software can process super every pay run
Choose a new clearing house if you currently use the SBSCH
Review your payment cycle and cash flow
Keep clean payroll and super records — every pay period, not quarterly
Test your system ahead of the 2026 deadline
📊 Support for Gold Coast Businesses
At Masttocs Bookkeeping Services, we help small businesses transition smoothly through changes like Payday Super.
Whether you need help setting up payroll systems, moving away from the SBSCH, or making sure your records stay compliant, we’re here to make the process stress-free.
If you’d like help preparing for Payday Super before it arrives, get in touch — planning early is the best way to stay compliant and avoid costly penalties.
