First published on Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Last updated on Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Since the 1st of July 2026, Australia has implemented new superannuation laws regarding how employers are required to pay their staff their superannuation contributions. As a business owner, aligning your payroll processes with these updated requirements ensures compliance and peace of mind regarding Fair Work regulations.
Whether it’s an honest mistake or intentional, you can be held liable if you aren’t aware of the new superannuation laws and have acted upon them accordingly. Read on to see these new changes and what you must do as an employer.
The Superannuation changes from 1/7/2026
To maintain compliance with the updated Superannuation laws, employers must ensure super contributions are processed alongside regular wages and received by the super fund within seven business days. Timely payments protect your business from compliance risks under the Fair Work Act and modern awards. Please note that an extended grace period applies to new hires, granting up to twenty business days for their first super contribution to be received.
What you need to do
With the new Superannuation contribution laws already in effect, accidentally overlooking your legal obligations leaves you liable for action from Fair Work and the ATO, as you are required to have prepared in advance. If you haven’t done so already, you need to review your payroll systems to ensure you are compliant with the changes and that your employees are receiving their super contributions within the required timeframe. You should also review the processes in place within your organisation, to ensure that this change can be accommodated successfully.
If you’re unsure of how to approach these changes and need further guidance, at BrightHR we offer a 24/7 employment relations line where we can provide further assistance on how to implement these changes in your business and ultimately, remain compliant with Australian employment laws.
For more information and to book a free demo, get in touch with us today for more info. We’ve also just launched our Xero payroll integration here!
