Overview
- SMC analysis published Monday found Australian workers were underpaid $24.4 billion in super between 2018 and 2023, affecting about a quarter of the workforce.
- From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super at the same time as wages under new payday super laws designed to expose and prevent missed contributions.
- The ATO says it will take a pragmatic approach in the first 12 months, with honest mistakes that are fixed quickly not a focus for compliance action.
- Underpayments fall hardest on women, younger workers and low‑income earners, and a typical $1,730 shortfall in one year can erode more than $30,000 by retirement.
- Shortfalls vary widely by location, with NSW at $8.1 billion in total and the Northern Territory recording the highest average per person at about $2,140 a year, while advisers warn real‑time payments could strain cash‑flow for some businesses.