Tax Facts
Superannuation Guarantee
In addition to employees' salaries and wages, employers are required to pay superannuation contributions on behalf of all eligible employees. This compulsory contribution is called the superannuation guarantee. The definition of employee for this purpose includes certain contractors. The minimum contribution is calculated with reference to each eligible employee's earnings base (usually their ordinary time earnings) and must be paid within 28 days after the end of each calendar quarter. There is no minimum earnings amount. Employers must also provide employees with a choice of superannuation fund.
The minimum contribution rate was 10% from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 and has increased to 10.5% from 1 July 2022 and will continue to increase by 0.5% each financial year until it reaches 12% from 1 July 2025.
Employers are generally required to pay superannuation contributions for employees if they are:
Under 18 years old, you pay it if they work more than 30 hours in a week and note that earnings amount is not relevant
Over the age of 18 (no upper age limit applies)
If an employer fails to make the minimum contributions for a quarter by the due date, the employer is liable for the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC). The SGC comprises the unpaid contributions calculated on a higher earnings base, plus an interest charge (which is credited to the employee's superannuation account) and an administration fee. The employer cannot claim an income tax deduction for the SGC.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) provides the following tools to help you understand and meet your obligations:
Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC) statement and calculator - calculate the SGC liability and prepare the SGC statement
Employee/contractor decision tool - determine whether new or existing workers are contractors or employees (for tax and super purposes)
Superannuation guarantee eligibility decision tool - see whether an employer needs to make super contributions for employees
Superannuation guarantee contributions calculator - calculate how much superannuation an employee should be contributing for eligible workers