Starting 1 July 2026, all Australian employers will be required to pay the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) on or before an employee’s payday. This transition from quarterly super contributions to payday-aligned payments marks a significant shift for business owners and payroll administrators. Preparing now ensures a smooth transition and avoids future compliance headaches.
Table of Contents
- Audit Your Payroll Software and Processes
- Align Pay Schedules With Super Contributions
- Train Your HR and Finance Teams
- Choose a Compliant Clearing House
- Test and Monitor Your Systems
- Establish Internal Compliance Checks
- Communicate With Employees
- Conclusion
Step 1: Audit Your Payroll Software and Processes
The first step is conducting a comprehensive audit of your current payroll systems. Are they capable of handling real-time SG calculations? Can they integrate seamlessly with clearing houses? Many legacy systems may fall short, requiring upgrades or complete overhauls.
Using platforms like PayTime, businesses gain access to automated SG compliance features. These tools instantly calculate contributions for each employee and initiate payments as part of the payroll cycle — saving time and reducing errors.
Step 2: Align Pay Schedules With Super Contributions
Payday super requires synchronisation between pay schedules and super remittance timelines. Employers must adjust their internal pay calendars to accommodate SG payment deadlines, which will now occur weekly or fortnightly for most companies.
If your business runs payroll weekly, you may end up making super contributions 52 times a year. This demands strong internal systems and scheduling to ensure no payment deadlines are missed. Using automated solutions like PayTime means you don’t need to manually track each due date — the system handles it.
Step 3: Train Your HR and Finance Teams
Training is essential. Many payroll administrators are used to quarterly super compliance and might not realise how often they’ll now need to process payments. Running workshops, sharing ATO documentation, and offering demos of your payroll software can help everyone understand their new responsibilities.
Also consider cross-training your HR and finance teams. If one team member is out sick, there should always be someone else capable of processing a compliant pay run.
Step 4: Choose a Compliant Clearing House
ATO’s SBSCH may not be fast enough for the new model. A delay in processing could mean you’re late — even if you initiated the payment on time. A private, fast-clearing superannuation service ensures SG contributions are processed and reach employee funds quickly.
PayTime partners with modern clearing houses that can confirm SG receipt within hours, not days — adding certainty and removing the stress of potential penalties.
Step 5: Test and Monitor Your Systems
Before July 2026, run multiple test payroll cycles. This simulation helps you:
- Validate contribution timing
- Identify software issues
- Improve internal workflows
Use PayTime’s dashboards to review payment timelines and compliance health scores. This gives you full visibility and peace of mind as the new system becomes mandatory.
Step 6: Establish Internal Compliance Checks
Don’t wait for the ATO to flag errors. Set up internal compliance checks:
- Review super calculations monthly
- Verify clearing house processing times
- Confirm SG deposit confirmations from super funds
Internal audits every quarter — even though contributions are now due earlier — help maintain long-term consistency.
Step 7: Communicate With Employees
Educate your workforce. Let them know they’ll see super contributions appear more frequently, and that their fund balances will grow faster. This builds trust and boosts your employer brand.
Use payslip notes, emails, and intranet updates to reinforce the benefits of the new system.
Pro Tip: PayTime offers communication templates to help businesses explain payday super clearly to staff.
Bonus: Keep an Eye on Government Guidance
The ATO continues to release guidance on payday super. Sign up for ATO alerts or consult with your accountant to stay ahead of any adjustments in implementation timelines or reporting requirements.
Conclusion
Preparing for payday super isn’t just about ticking compliance boxes — it’s about embracing a smarter, faster, more employee-friendly approach to payroll. By auditing your systems, training your staff, upgrading your clearing house, and partnering with solutions like PayTime, you’ll be ready to lead, not follow
