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Superannuation overview (Australia)

Understanding superannuation requirements for Australian payroll.

Updated over 4 months ago

Superannuation is a compulsory retirement savings system in Australia. As an employer, you must make superannuation contributions for eligible employees.

Superannuation guarantee

The Superannuation Guarantee (SG) requires employers to contribute a percentage of an employee's ordinary time earnings to their nominated super fund.

Current SG rate and threshold amounts are automatically implemented in SmoothPay and update when legislation changes.

Employee eligibility

You must pay super for employees who are 18 years or older and earn $450 or more (before tax) in a calendar month or are under 18 years old and work more than 30 hours per week and earn $450 or more (before tax) in a calendar month.

SmoothPay automatically determines eligibility based on employee settings and earnings.

Calculating superannuation

Superannuation is calculated on ordinary time earnings, which generally includes salary and wages, commissions, allowances, certain bonuses and certain paid leave.

Ordinary time earnings generally excludes overtime payments, some allowances, some bonuses and loadings and payments in lieu of notice.

SmoothPay automatically applies the correct calculation based on pay code settings.

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