Investing through super might feel like something you only worry about later, but it usually starts working for you from your first job.

A big part of that comes from your employer. They’re required to pay money into your super fund on top of your wages. These are called employer contributions – and they’re not just a nice bonus. They’re a major part of how Australians grow their retirement savings.

But most of us don’t check our super regularly. It’s easy to miss what’s going in, when, or even if it’s being paid.

This article discusses employer contributions, how much you should be getting, when to expect the payments, and what you can do if something doesn’t look right.

What are employer super contributions?

Employer super contributions are payments your employer puts into your super fund. They're separate from your take-home pay and paid on top of what you earn.

These payments are part of the Australian superannuation system and are required by law under something called the Superannuation Guarantee (SG). If you’re eligible, your employer has to pay them. They’re designed to help you build a nest egg for retirement without needing to rely solely on the Age Pension .

You can usually see them on your payslip or in your super fund account transactions.

How much should employers contribute?

As of 1 July 2024, the minimum SG contribution rate is 11.5% and is set to rise to 12% at 1 July 2025. This rate applies to your ordinary time earnings , including your base wage, commissions, bonuses, and allowances.

Overtime is generally excluded. As such, if you’re working extra hours, that income may not count towards your superannuation guarantee contributions.

Here’s a quick example. If you earn $70,000 a year in ordinary time earnings, your employer should contribute $8,050 to your super. If you take on $10,000 in overtime, it’s unlikely that extra income will be included in the calculation.

This 11.5% is the compulsory minimum, but some workplace agreements or awards may offer a higher rate. That's why it’s worth checking your employment terms to see what applies to you.

Employers calculate this each pay cycle, but they only need to pay it into your fund every quarter (we'll cover that next). They also must pay contributions into a complying fund – one that meets government rules and is eligible for tax concessions.

When and how often should contributions be paid?

As mentioned, employers must pay super contributions at least four times a year. These are called quarterly payments.

Here are the payment deadlines:

Quarter	Payment due by
1 July – 30 September	28 October
1 October – 31 December	28 January
1 January – 31 March	28 April
1 April – 30 June	28 July

Employers can make more frequent payments, but they must be received by your fund by each due date.

That means you might not see the contributions land immediately after each payday – they may appear weeks later, depending on when your employer processes them.

You can track contributions through your super fund or by logging in to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website via MyGov .

Who is eligible for employer super contributions?

You don’t have to be full-time to receive super. There’s no minimum income requirement – low-income earners are still entitled to contributions.

Here’s who is generally eligible:

• All employees aged 18 and over, regardless of income or hours worked
• Employees under 18 if they work more than 30 hours a week
• Casual, part-time, and temporary staff – they’re all covered
• Some contractors, even if they have an ABN , may also be entitled if they’re paid mainly for their labour

An extra tip: If you're working as a contractor, you can use the ATO’s online tool to check if you should be receiving SG contributions.

As mentioned, super must be paid into a complying fund. If you don't choose a super fund , your employer will use their default fund.

What happens if your employer doesn’t pay super?

If you think your super isn’t being paid, don’t ignore it. Here’s what you can do.

1. Check your account . Log in to your super fund or the ATO website through MyGov. Look for the most recent employer contributions. Compare the dates and amounts with your payslips.
2. Ask your employer . Sometimes it’s a timing issue or admin delay. A quick chat with your payroll or manager can clear things up.
3. Still doesn’t add up? Report it . If something feels off, report it to the ATO. They have a form on their website to lodge an unpaid super enquiry. You’ll need your employer’s details, your fund info, and the period you believe super wasn’t paid.
4. Let the ATO handle it . Once you report it, the ATO investigates. They can recover unpaid super, charge penalties, and follow up with your employer directly.

This process is free, and you don’t need to deal with it alone. The ATO handles these cases every day. If your employer has gone under or vanished, the ATO may still be able to help.

Voluntary vs compulsory contributions

There are two main types of super contributions – compulsory ones paid by your employer, and voluntary ones you can make yourself.

The SG contributions we’ve been exploring so far are compulsory contributions.

Voluntary contributions are extra amounts you choose to add. They can be pre-tax contributions or after-tax contributions .

Here’s how they compare:

Type of contribution	Who pays it	When it's made	Tax treatment	Other notes
Compulsory (SG)	Employer	Regularly, each quarter	Taxed at 15% when paid into your fund	Counts toward your annual concessional limit
Voluntary – salary sacrifice	You (arranged through your employer)	From your pay before tax	Taxed at 15% when paid into your fund	Often used to boost super and manage tax
Voluntary – after-tax	You (paid directly)	Anytime	Not taxed in the fund if from after-tax income	May be eligible for government co-contributions
Catch-up contributions	You (if eligible)	Within five years	Taxed at 15% when paid into your fund	Lets you use unused concessional caps from past years

Contribution limits apply to both concessional and non-concessional amounts. If you go over, you may need to pay extra tax.

You’ll find more details, including current caps and eligibility, on the ATO website .

How employer contributions fit into your super strategy

For many Australians, employer contributions make up the bulk of their super over time. They often form the base of a super balance .

Here’s why that matters:

• Compounding returns over decades can turn regular contributions into serious savings. This is especially true when combined with investment returns inside the fund.
• Low-fee super funds can help those contributions go even further.
• Understanding how your super is invested can help you make sure it aligns with your goals – but that’s a topic for another day.

For now, just know that employer contributions are the default, automatic, long-term foundation of most Australians’ retirement savings. Keeping an eye on them is a simple habit with big long-term benefits.

You don’t need to check your super every week. However, knowing how it works can help put you in a stronger position.

Take five minutes to check your super

Employer contributions may not be exciting, but they can play a powerful role in building your retirement savings. Just by working and receiving SG payments, you're steadily building wealth for the future.

So if it’s been a while since you checked your super, you might want to:

• Log in to your fund or MyGov account
• Confirm your employer is contributing the correct amount
• Make sure your fund has your up-to-date contact details
• Consider consolidating your super if you’ve got multiple accounts (to avoid fees eating into your balance)

No need to overthink it. Just being aware of what’s going on behind the scenes is a strong start.

Employer contributions: what it all means for you

You don’t need to become a super expert but understanding superannuation basics , including employer contributions, can make a real difference.

Know what you’re entitled to. Know where to find it. And know what to do if something seems off.

Super might feel like a long game, but the small stuff like tracking your contributions—can help you stay in control. It’s your money and keeping an eye on it is one of the simplest ways to back your future self.