Employer Superannuation Obligations: Key Dates and Deductibility

Written By Shiranga Mendis – Senior Accountant 

As we approach the end of the year, it is crucial to stay on top of your superannuation obligations to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. Here is a simple guide to help you navigate the key aspects of superannuation for your employees. 

Superannuation Guarantee (SG) Contributions 

As an employer, you are required to pay superannuation contributions for your eligible employees. These contributions, known as the Superannuation Guarantee (SG), are currently set at 11.5% of an employee’s ordinary time earnings. This will change to 12% at 1 July 2025. 

Making Payments

Superannuation contributions must be made at least quarterly. Here are the due dates for each quarter: 

• 1st Quarter (1 July – 30 September): Due by 28 October 

• 2nd Quarter (1 October – 31 December): Due by 28 January 

• 3rd Quarter (1 January – 31 March): Due by 28 April 

• 4th Quarter (1 April – 30 June): Due by 28 July 

Please note that the payments must be paid and cleared from the super clearing house into the superannuation fund account of the employees by this date. Therefore, paying at least a week before is recommended to allow time for this to occur. 

You can make super payments more frequently than quarterly, such as monthly or fortnightly, but you must ensure that the total SG contribution for the quarter is paid by the due date. Payments can be made through a superannuation clearing house, which distributes contributions to your employees’ funds on your behalf. 

However, from 1 July 2026, the ATO will be introducing ‘Payday Superannuation’. This means that employers will be required to pay their employee’s SG contributions at the same time as their salary and wages. You can find more information about this here: Changes Ahead: Payday Super is Coming! | WLF Accounting & Advisory 

Deductibility of Super Contributions 

Super contributions are generally tax-deductible in the financial year they are paid. However, if you miss a quarterly payment deadline, the late contributions are not tax-deductible, and you may incur Superannuation Guarantee Charges (SGC). The SGC includes the shortfall amount, interest, and an administration fee. These are calculated by completing SGC forms for unpaid amount or amounts paid late. If you need assistance in lodging SGC forms, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. 

Default super fund  

If an employee does not provide you with their superannuation fund details, or if the employee does not have an existing fund, the ATO requires that employers pay the employee’s superannuation into a default nominated superannuation fund. This means that you can continue to meet your obligations of paying their superannuation on time to a new fund. 

Alternatively, the ATO recently allowed employers to request the stapled superannuation fund details of their employees through the ATO business portal, or WLF can request this through our Tax Agent Portal.  A stapled super fund is an existing super account linked, or ‘stapled’, to an individual employee so it follows them as they change jobs. 

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact your WLF Advisor, or the office should you wish to join the WLF team on 6223 6155. 

Disclaimer

This information does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and so you should consider its appropriateness, having regard to these factors before acting on it. This information may contain material provided by third parties derived from sources believed to be accurate at its issue date. While such material is published with necessary permission, WLF Accounting & Advisory and its related entities, does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of, or endorses any such material. Except where contrary to law, we intend by this notice to exclude liability for this material. Any tax considerations outlined in this publication are general statements, based on an interpretation of the current tax law, and do not constitute tax advice.  You should seek specific tax advice from us as your registered tax agent or registered tax (financial) adviser.