Superannuation Guide for Small Business Owners in Australia

Superannuation (super) is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — obligations for Australian small business owners who employ staff. Getting super wrong can result in the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC), which costs significantly more than simply paying super on time.

This guide covers your super obligations as a small business employer, how to calculate the correct amount, super payment deadlines, and what changes are coming in 2026.

The Superannuation Guarantee Rate in 2026

The Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate for the 2025-2026 financial year is 12% of an employee's ordinary time earnings (OTE). This rate has been increasing gradually under legislation:

At 12%, the Super Guarantee rate has reached its legislated ceiling. This is the rate you must use for all eligible employees in 2026.

Who Is Eligible for Super?

You must pay super for an employee if they are:

• 18 years old or over and paid $350 or more (before tax) per month
• Under 18 years old, paid $350 or more per month, AND work more than 30 hours per week

Importantly, the $350 threshold was removed in July 2022 — previously, employees earning less than $450/month did not attract super. Now, even low-income workers earning any amount are entitled to super if they are 18+.

Super is payable regardless of whether the employee is:

• Full-time, part-time, or casual
• A temporary resident
• A sole trader or company director paid as an employee
• A family member employed in the business

How to Calculate Super

Super is calculated on Ordinary Time Earnings (OTE) — not all payments you make to employees. OTE includes:

OTE does not include overtime, reimbursements, or termination payments. Check the ATO's OTE guidance if you have employees with complex remuneration arrangements.

Example: An employee earns $5,000/month in ordinary wages. Super = $5,000 × 12% = $600 per month.

Super Payment Deadlines

Super must be paid at least quarterly, with amounts deposited into employees' chosen super funds by:

Note: the payment must be received by the super fund by the due date — not just sent. Allow several business days for processing. Many employers pay super monthly to simplify cash flow management.

Consequences of Not Paying Super on Time

If you miss the quarterly deadline, you become liable for the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC), which is much more expensive than simply paying super on time:

• SGC is calculated on total salary and wages (not just OTE) — so the base is larger
• Interest of 10% per annum applies from the start of the quarter
• An administration charge of $20 per employee per quarter applies
• SGC payments are not tax-deductible (unlike regular super contributions)
• You must lodge an SGC statement with the ATO

Super for Sole Traders (Your Own Super)

As a sole trader, no one pays super for you — but you can make voluntary contributions to your own super fund:

• Concessional (before-tax) contributions are capped at $30,000 per year and taxed at 15% inside super
• You can claim personal super contributions as a tax deduction (lodge a Notice of Intent with your fund)
• The government co-contribution applies if you make non-concessional contributions and earn below $58,445
• You can carry forward unused concessional cap from the previous five years if your super balance is under $500,000