If you are an employer, then it's all about how much you need to pay and when you need to pay it.

For employees, it's checking that you are being paid, and what you can do if your funds don't show in your super fund.

And for the self-employed - why you should be adding money to your super fund, and how to claim it.

Here are some tips for you...

When is Super Due for Payment?

Superannuation is due into the super funds by 28th day after the end of the quarter. You should be using a clearing house, either the ATO SBSCH or the clearing house provided by your payroll software or a super fund. This means that generally you can't pay it on the 28th - it needs to be received on the 28th - so we generally advise to pay it by the 18th of the month so that there's time for the transfers to get into the employee super fund.

Key Dates:
Jan - Mar super due 28th April

Apr - Jun super due 28th Jul (but if paid before 30/6 it's claimable in that year's tax return)

Jul - Sep super due 28th Oct

Oct - Dec super due 28th Jan

How much super needs to be paid?

Superannuation of 10% (this changed on 1 July 2021) of the employee's Ordinary Times Earnings is due to be paid.

What is Ordinary Times Earnings? It is the pay that is base pay, and is generally described as standard pay and bonuses but not including overtime.

Here's a list that the ATO has: https://www.ato.gov.au/business/super-for-employers/paying-super-contributions/how-much-super-to-pay/list-of-payments-that-are-ordinary-time-earnings/

HOWEVER...

If you lodge superannuation late, then you are to pay super on the WHOLE of the employee's gross pay - including overtime, allowances, and leave loading.

PLEASE NOTE:
There is pending legislation that announced in May 2021 that all employees will receive superannuation, regardless of how much they earn (the threshold is currently more than $450 per month.) Be on the lookout for when this change occurs as part time staff who previously weren't earning enough may soon require super payments.

What if I don't receive details from my employee?

From November 2021, you are now able to request super fund details your new employees via the ATO online services. This is called Stapled Super - as the super fund is stapled to the employee's tax file number.

See more details here: https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Super-for-employers/Setting-up-super-for-your-business/Offer-employees-a-choice-of-super-fund/Request-stapled-super-fund-details-for-employees/?=redirected_stapledsuperfund

Previously you were required to have a default fund, to nominate that employee to pay into the default fund. Now you are required to search.