Payday Super Is Coming July 2026 - What You Need To Know
The way employers pay superannuation is about to change.
From 1 July 2026, super must be paid at the same time as wages - not quarterly.
This reform, known as Payday Super, will benefit employees by getting money into their super sooner, but it will also mean changes to payroll processes and cash flow for employers.
Below, we break down what’s changing and how to get your business ready.
What’s changing?
From 1 July 2026:
You must pay super every time you pay staff
Weekly pay → weekly super
Fortnightly pay → fortnightly super
Monthly pay → monthly super
Contributions must be received by the super fund within 7 business days
Payments must be processed through payroll software, including:
Regular employees
Casuals
Directors being paid wages
Director fees where super applies
This marks a major shift away from the current system where employers can pay super up to 28 days after quarter-end.
Why the change?
Payday Super aims to:
Reduce unpaid and late super
Improve transparency
Boost long-term retirement outcomes
The government estimates that getting super into funds sooner means younger workers could retire with thousands more.
Key implications for employers
1) Cash-flow impact
This is the big one.
Most employers currently hold super contributions for up to three months before paying them.
From July 2026, that buffer disappears.
Your first July pay run will require a super payment straight away.
If payroll is weekly or fortnightly, you’ll now be transferring super just as frequently.
Businesses with tight margins or seasonal cash flow should start forecasting now.
2) Payroll + software updates
You’ll need to ensure:
Your payroll software supports super every pay cycle
Your super clearing house can process contributions within 7 business days
This also applies to Directors — where super is payable, it must be processed through payroll software and included in payday super timing.
If you currently pay directors outside of payroll, this process may need to be updated.
3) Higher compliance focus
More frequent reporting means it will be easier for the ATO to detect delays or missed payments.
Late payments may trigger Super Guarantee (SG) penalties.
Now is a good time to tighten record-keeping and payroll controls.
What to do now
Review how often you pay staff
Model cash-flow impact — especially July 2026
Speak with your payroll software provider
Check clearing house processing times
Confirm Director wage + super workflows
Ensure employee super fund details are correct
Early preparation will make the transition smoother.
We’ll be running a webinar next year
To help businesses understand these changes and prepare, True North will run a webinar in 2026.
We’ll cover:
What payday super means
Cash-flow planning + examples
Payroll/software updates including Director payments
Key timelines
Q&A
More details will be announced closer to the date.
How True North can help
We can help you:
Understand your obligations
Model your payroll + cash-flow impact
Review your payroll processes
Assist with Directors being onboarded through payroll
Support your compliance transition ahead of July 2026
The bottom line
Payday super starts 1 July 2026.
Super must be paid every time wages are paid — including Directors where SG applies — and processed through payroll software.
This will have cash-flow implications, so it’s important to plan ahead.
We’ll keep you updated as more guidance becomes available.
