Payday Super: what it means for you

Your super, working harder for you

Good news for your super – and it’s been a long time coming.


It’s called Payday Super, and it means that from 1 July 2026 all employers must start paying their employees super at the same time as they pay their wages, instead of the currently quarterly payments.

For employees this is a genuine win. Your super will arrive more regularly, giving it more time to be invested and grow. And the best part? Your employer is responsible for making it happen – you don’t need to do a thing.

What's changing

 

Until now, your employer only had to pay your super contributions once every three months. That’s three months your money isn’t invested. Three months it isn’t growing.

From 1 July 2026, that changes. Your super must be paid every pay cycle – weekly, fortnightly or monthly – and it must reach your super fund within 7 business days of each payday.


For you, more frequent contributions to your super mean:

Your super has more time to grow

Match super contributions with your pay

Easier to spot missing payments

Will you get more super?

As part of Payday Super the types of payments used to calculate how much super your employer needs to pay is changing from Ordinary Time Earnings to Qualifying Earnings. Your employer will still pay the same super guarantee rate of at least 12%.

It’s expected that most people won’t see a change to how much super they’re paid. Instead, the main difference will be when your super is paid to your super account.

This timing makes a real difference. When your super is paid more frequently, it has more time to be invested and grow. Over a working life that can really add up.


The Australian Government estimates this could mean thousands of dollars more in retirement savings for some people – just from being paid sooner.1
 

How to get ready

Here’s the really good news: there’s not much you need to do. Payday Super is your employer’s responsibility to implement – your super simply starts working harder for you.

It’s worth a quick check though to make sure your details are up-to-date – with both your employer and your super fund. Delays can happen if your information doesn’t match.

If you’re a Mercer Super member, log in to the member portal and head to the ‘My details’ section to make sure everything is correct.

If you need to update your name or date of birth, please complete and return the Change your personal details form.

You can also use the member portal and app to keep track of your contributions and super balance.

Check that your employer and your super fund have your correct:
 

Information Employer Super fund
First and last name ✓ ✓
Date of birth ✓ ✓
Tax File Number (TFN) ✓ ✓
Mercer Super account number
(note: this is not your member number)		 ✓ ✗
Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI) for your Mercer Super account ✓ ✗

Ready to make every payday count?

If you haven’t already, get your employer contributions paid directly into your Mercer Super account.
 

Complete the online Choice form and we’ll do the rest

Frequently asked questions

  • Are there any exceptions to the 7 business day rule?

    Yes, in some situations, your employer may have a little longer. For example, if you start a new job or change super funds.

  • What is Qualifying Earnings?

    Qualifying Earnings is the new term that defines the types of payments that an employer uses to calculate your Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions.

    It includes ordinary time earnings, commissions, eligible salary sacrifice amounts, and payments to some contractors paid mainly for their labour. Currently, SG contributions are calculated based on ordinary time earnings.

    For most members, this change to Qualifying Earnings won’t make a difference to how much super you receive.

  • Could I exceed the 2026/27 concessional cap?

    As Payday Super starts, your employer may pay your super more often than before. During the transition, you might see extra super paid into your account in July 2026.

    This can happen if:

    • your employer makes a final quarterly payment for April-June in July 2026, and
    • they also start making Payday Super payments around the same time.


    Why this matters:     The concessional contributions cap is the yearly limit for before-tax contributions. This includes employer contributions. If you’re close to this limit, extra payments during the transition could push you over.

    The Australian Government has confirmed they will provide relief for affected individuals.

  • I have 2+ employers and a high-income, can I opt-out of SG?

    You may be eligible to opt-out of SG contributions by applying for a Super Guarantee employer shortfall exemption certificate, if you meet both of these conditions:

    • You have more than one employer in a financial year (at the same time, or sequentially), and
    • You expect the compulsory SG contributions from those employers will cause you to exceed your concessional contributions cap for the financial year.


    Learn more about the Super Guarantee employer shortfall exemption certificate including how to apply, on the Australian Taxation Office’s website.

Read next
 

What is super?

Learn the basics of super, how it works and how it can help you save for retirement.

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SG contributions

Find out how the Super Guarantee (SG) works, including how much your employer pays.

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Financial advice

No matter your stage of life, the right advice at the right time can give you the confidence to take control of your financial future.

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1 The Australian Government estimates a 25-year-old median income earner currently receiving their super quarterly and wages fortnightly could be around $6,000 or 1.5% better off at retirement.

Issued by Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited (MSAL) ABN 79 004 717 533, Australian Financial Services Licence #235906, the trustee of Mercer Super Trust ABN 19 905 422 981 (‘Mercer Super’).

Any advice provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any advice we recommend you obtain your own financial advice and consider the Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide available at mercersuper.com.au. The product’s Target Market Determination setting out the class of people for whom the product may be suitable can be found at mercersuper.com.au/tmd.

‘MERCER’ and 'Mercer SmartPath®' are Australian registered trademarks of Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 32 005 315 917.

Any information on tax or references to legislation in this document is based on our interpretation of current laws which are subject to change. We recommend you obtain your own tax or other professional advice when considering the application and impact of tax laws or other laws that may affect you. No warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this information is given and no responsibility is accepted by Mercer or any of its related entities for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the information.