How does your type of employment affect your super?
Being eligible to be paid super depends on how you earn your income. In most ongoing permanent jobs, your employer will pay your super. If you’re a sole trader, self-employed, or under 18 and working less than 30 hours per week, you generally won’t be entitled to be paid super, but you can make contributions if you choose.
Do full-time, part-time and casual employees get super?
In most cases, employers need to pay super for eligible employees, whether they work full-time, part-time or as a casual. Super is generally paid on top of your salary or wages and is calculated using your eligible earnings.
Your employer must pay at least 12% of your Qualifying Earnings (QE) into super - this is called the Super Guarantee (SG). Since 1 July 2026 super must be paid at the same time as wages. Learn more about Payday Super.
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Full-time employees
Most full-time employees are entitled to receive super contributions from their employer. This can be a very important part of building your retirement savings.
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Part-time employees
Part-time employees are generally entitled to super in the same way as full-time employees. There is no minimum amount you need to earn before your employer is required to pay super if you're eligible.
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Casual employees
Casual employees are generally entitled to receive super contributions from their employer. Even if your hours vary from week to week, your employer will usually need to pay you super if you meet the eligibility rules.
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Under 18s
If you're under 18 and working more than 30 hours in a week, generally you’re eligible for your employer to pay you super. If you're eligible, super is paid in the same way as it is for other employees, and can help give your retirement savings a head start.
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Super for temporary residents
If you're working in Australia on a temporary visa, your employer will generally need to pay you super if you’re eligible. When you permanently leave Australia and your visa has expired or been cancelled, you may be able to claim your super as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP). For detailed information, visit our Departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP) webpage.
Learn more at the ATO’s How superannuation applies to temporary residents
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Working in retirement
If you've retired and then return to work, you may still be entitled to receive super contributions from your employer. In most cases, the same SG rules apply.
Learn more at Returning to work after retirement
Do contractors get paid super?
Some contractors are entitled to be paid super by employers. This applies when a contractor is engaged mainly for their personal labour and skills. In this case they are employees for SG purposes. Keep in mind that having an Australian Business Number (ABN) doesn't determine whether you're entitled to super.
If you're a contractor or subcontractor and not sure if you should be getting paid super, it's worth checking your arrangement to see if super contributions are being paid by your employer on your behalf.
Learn more at the ATO’s page Super contributions for independent contractors
How super works if you're self-employed or a sole trader
In most cases, if you’re self-employed or a sole trader you don’t receive employer-paid super and will need to make your own contributions if you want to grow your super balance for retirement.
There can be exceptions. For example, if you have a company structure and pay yourself a salary or wage as an employee of that company, you may have to pay super to yourself.
Learn more at Super for self-employed and sole traders
How can self-employed people contribute to super?
Once your super account is set up, there are different ways to add money to it1.
Pre-tax contributions
These are super contributions you make from your pre-tax income and may help reduce your tax.
Learn about pre-tax contributions
After-tax contributions
After-tax contributions are payments you make to your super from income that’s already been taxed. You may be able to claim a tax deduction for these types of contributions.
How super works for the gig economy
Gig work means earning income by completing short-term jobs or tasks, often through a digital platform. This can include rideshare driving, food delivery, care work, freelancing or other on-demand services.
Whether you’re entitled to employer-paid super depends on your working arrangement. If you’re an employee, you’ll generally be entitled to super. If you’re a contractor, you may still be entitled if you’re paid mainly for your labour. Otherwise, you’ll need to make your own contributions.
Learn more at Tips on superannuation for gig economy workers
Super if you have more than one job
If you have more than one job, in most cases you should receive super contributions from each employer. Those contributions can be paid into the one super account. Having one super account can save you money on fees and help make it easier to manage and track your super.
Find out more about how to find lost super and combine your super accounts.
What happens if you’re not getting paid super
There are a few steps to take if you you're entitled to super but haven't received it. Keep in mind under Payday Super laws, from 1 July 2026 employers need to pay super at the same time as salary and wages.
Double-check your account: check your super statement or log in to your super account to see if contributions are being made.
Check your eligibility: Most Australians are eligible for super, but you may not be if you’re:
- under the age of 18 and work less than 30 hours in a week
- self-employed as a sole trader - in most cases you don’t have to pay yourself super.
Find out more at ato.gov.au
Ask your employer: Confirm with your employer if they’re paying your super, how much they are paying, and what account it’s going to.
Know your rights: Find out which award or agreement covers your job and check for any additional terms about your super.
Calculate your super: Use the ATO Estimate my quarterly super calculator to see how much super your employer should be paying for you.
Take action: If your super has been paid incorrectly, inform your employer. Learn more at the ATO’s page Report unpaid super contributions from my employer
Helpful links
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Disclaimers
- Before adding to your super, consider your financial circumstances, eligibility, contribution caps that may apply, tax issues and when your super can be accessed. We recommend you consider seeking financial advice.