Receive support from Aware Super to help make your superannuation obligations as seamless as possible.
Start here and get underway in 5 easy steps
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Setup a super fund of choice (default) fund
The first step of setting up super is to choose a super fund of choice.
Your super fund of choice needs to be MySuper authorised (meeting a government regulated set of features) and it must offer minimum life insurance for employees.
Some employees are eligible to choose their own super fund, and they can do this by completing a Choice of Fund form within 28 days of their start date.
If your employees are under a state or federal award that specifically nominates a fund or benefit, then you will need to pay super into that nominated fund.
Choice of fund eligibility can be complex, so it’s best to check a government website such as the Australian Taxation Office if you're unsure.
More on choice of fund
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Working out who’s eligible to receive super
From 1 July 2022, you need to pay super guarantee contributions to an employee's super fund regardless of how much they are paid.
This is irrespective of whether the employee is permanent, casual or part-time; or if they’re travelling on a working holiday or helping out with the family business. No matter what their employment arrangements are, they’re entitled to superannuation guarantee contributions.
There are a few exceptions where you don’t need to pay super, for example, if you have employees under the age of 18 working less than 30 hours per week.
If you’d like more information on paying super to your employees, please refer to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) super eligibility tool, this gives an extensive overview of Australian superannuation rules.
Super eligibility tool -
Calculate super payments
Superannuation Guarantee (SG) is the contribution you’re required to make into a super fund on your employees’ behalf. Currently, the minimum SG contributions are 10.5% of your employee’s ordinary time earnings.
Ordinary time earnings include your employee’s base salary and any additional payments, such as bonuses, commission, allowances, casual and/or shift loading. They don’t include overtime, or lump sum payments for time in lieu.
The SG Act has some very specific definitions for ordinary time earnings. If you’re unsure, we recommend you seek advice from the ATO or from a legal adviser to ensure you are making the correct contributions.
Seek advice -
Adopt a SuperStream compliant process
The government introduced the SuperStream reforms to make the superannuation system stronger for all Australians.
These reforms require all employers to submit contribution payments and super data online using SuperStream compliant processes. These processes are designed to prevent errors by providing better visibility if something happens to any contributions being made.
Aware Super’s clearing house lets you make compliant contributions in one transaction, and this service is free for registered Aware Super employers.
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Schedule on-time contributions
The minimum level of superannuation guarantee contributions must be paid into your employees’ fund by the quarterly cut-off dates listed in the link below.
If you don’t make payments on time or don’t pay the required super amount (a super guarantee shortfall), you could risk missing out on your tax deduction and be required to pay interest at 10% per annum, plus a $20 administration fee per employee for every quarter you miss.
View key dates
