1 July 2026
The new financial year brings important superannuation changes that employers need to be aware of. Being informed about these changes will help you meet your super obligations and support your employees' retirement savings.
Summary of changes, effective 1 July 2026:
| Super changes | 2025/26 FY | 2026/27 FY | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SG rate | 12% | 12% | No-change |
| Concessional contributions cap | $30,000 | $32,500 | Increase |
| Non-concessional contributions cap | $120,000 | $130,000 | Increase |
| Maximum super contribution base | $62,500 per quarter | $270,830 per year | Increase Shift from quarterly to annual calculation |
| Transfer balance cap | $2 million | $2.1 million | Increase |
| Total super balance | $2 million | $2.1 million | Increase |
Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate
As of 1 July 2026, the SG rate is 12%. This means employers must contribute a minimum of 12% of an employee's Qualifying Earnings (QE) to their super.
Find out more about paying super contributions for eligible employees, including how much to pay, how and where to pay and payment dates.
Super contributions caps
For FY27, the concessional contributions cap is $32,500 and the non-concessional contributions cap is $130,000.
These caps are important to note when employees are considering voluntary contributions, such as after-tax or salary sacrifice arrangements or when offering additional super benefits beyond the standard SG contributions. However, the monitoring of contribution limits is primarily the employee's responsibility, not the employer's.
Maximum super contribution base
From 1 July 2026, under Payday Super, the maximum contribution base (MCB) will move from a quarterly to an annual calculation, changing how employer contribution limits are applied. The MCB for 2026–27 is $270,830, as published by the ATO.
The MCB for a financial year is calculated using the following formula (rounded down to the nearest $10 multiple):
Concessional contributions cap × 100 ÷ charge percentage = maximum contribution base.
Example
$32,500 (Concessional contributions cap ) x 100 ÷ 12 (12% SG rate) = $270,830 (maximum contribution base)
Once an employee’s Qualifying Earnings (QE) reach this amount for the financial year, employers aren’t required to pay further Super Guarantee (SG) contributions for the remainder of that financial year.
Employers should review their payroll settings for employees with higher salaries to ensure compliance with this revised cap.
Transfer balance cap and total super balance changes
The transfer balance cap is the limit on the total amount of super that can be transferred into the retirement phase. As of 1 July 2026, this cap is $2.1 million.
The total super balance cap, which includes all super and retirement phase accounts for employees, is $2.1 million. This cap is used to determine eligibility for:
- Non-concessional contributions and the bring-forward arrangement
- Carry-forward concessional contributions
- Spouse tax offset
- Government co-contributions
While these caps primarily affect individuals rather than employers directly, they may impact employees' decisions about additional contributions.
Payday Super introduced from 1 July 2026
Payday Super is one of the most significant changes to the way super is managed in recent years. The Australian Government introduced Payday Super to better align super payments with wages, helping improve retirement outcomes and reduce the risk of unpaid super.
Under the new rules:
-
Super to be paid each payday
From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super contributions at the same time they pay salary and wages. For most, this will mean payments are made weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, depending on payroll frequency. -
New way to calculate super
Super is calculated as 12% of Qualifying Earnings (QE), a new term that combines Ordinary Time Earnings (OTE) with salary sacrifice and other relevant payments. -
New deadlines for super payments
Super Guarantee (SG) contributions must generally be received by your employees’ super funds within 7 business days of payday. For new employees, or employees who have changed funds, you’ll have a longer timeframe of 20 business days to make their first payment. -
Updated reporting requirements
Employers must report both QE and super liabilities through Single Touch Payroll (STP) each pay cycle. -
Changes to late payments and penalties
The Super Guarantee Charge (SGC) rules will align to the new payday timing, with possible penalties applying if contributions aren’t received within the required timeframe. -
System and payment improvements
Payday Super is supported by system upgrades that make payments faster and more reliable. Contributions can reach funds sooner with near real-time New Payments Platform (NPP) payments and upfront validation, while SuperStream improvements aim to reduce errors and make issues easier to identify and fix. -
Close of Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH)
Employers using the SBSCH should have transitioned to another SuperStream‑compliant solution before 1 July 2026. Check out the new Employer Portal. It’s one way to make your super payments with an integrated clearing house and self-service administration1.
The impact of super changes
As an employer, you play a critical role in paying compulsory super for your eligible employees. You can stay on top of the latest super changes, including payday super, by visiting our Changes to superannuation webpage.
Disclaimer
- The clearing house is a financial product offered by ClickSuper Pty Ltd ABN 48 122 693 985 (‘ClickSuper’) trading as Wrkr PAY (AFSL 337805), a wholly owned subsidiary of Wrkr Ltd ABN 50 611 202 414 (‘Wrkr’). Terms and conditions of Wrkr and ClickSuper apply and a Product Disclosure Statement for the clearing house is available from ClickSuper on request. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd doesn’t receive any commissions or other benefits from ClickSuper, nor is it recommending, endorsing or providing an opinion about the products or services offered by ClickSuper or intending to influence anyone to make a decision about them. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd is not liable for any loss or damage you incur in connection with the use of products or services provided by ClickSuper or Wrkr.