Employer Super Obligations: What You Need to Know and Do Before It Costs You

When you’re running a business, staying on top of your obligations can feel like juggling flaming swords—clients, cash flow, payroll, and the endless admin.

But one area you really can’t afford to drop the ball on? – Employee Superannuation.

At bennetts tax & bas service, we know that super compliance can be confusing, but getting it wrong isn’t just a minor inconvenience. It can mean penalties, extra costs, and ATO headaches.

So, let’s break down what you need to know and how we can help you stay compliant without the stress.


Super: Non-Negotiable and Time-Sensitive

As an employer, making super contributions is not just a nice-to-have. It’s a legal requirement, and the ATO is keeping a close eye on it.

Super must be paid at least quarterly, and it must reach the employee’s fund by the due date not just be submitted.

If it arrives late, even by a day, you’ll be hit with the Super Guarantee Charge (SGC), which includes:

  • The unpaid super (calculated on all earnings)
  • Interest
  • Admin fees

And here’s the kicker: It’s not tax-deductible.

That’s right, late super not only costs you more, it also hits your bottom line harder.


Super Due Dates You Can’t Miss

Here are the quarterly deadlines for super contributions to land in your employee’s fund:

QuarterPeriod CoveredPayment Due By
Q11 July – 30 September28 October
Q21 October – 31 December28 January
Q31 January – 31 March28 April
Q41 April – 30 June28 July

Our recommendation:
Aim to have payments completed by the 21st of the due month. That gives your super clearing house or fund enough time to process the payment, so you’re not left non-compliant due to technical delays.

Unfortunately, “the bank took too long” doesn’t count as an excuse with the ATO.


Why Monthly Super Payments Make Life Easier

At bennetts tax & bas service, we often recommend monthly super payments, and our clients love how it simplifies things.

Here’s why:

  • Better for cash flow
  • Easier to track and manage
  • Fewer last-minute scrambles at quarter-end
  • Reduces the risk of missing deadlines

It’s one of those small changes that can have a big impact on your financial operations and your peace of mind.


Common Super Traps to Avoid

Even well-meaning employers can run into trouble. Here are a few common mistakes we see:

1.   Paying but entering the wrong Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI)

Result: Money bounces back. And if it doesn’t land on time, you’re still considered late.

2.   Not confirming the employee’s stapled fund (now required for new hires)

Result: Payments to the wrong fund = non-compliance.

3.   Relying on submission confirmation but not checking when the funds actually clear.

Result: SGC applied even if you “thought it went through.”


How We Can Help You Stay Compliant

Whether you’ve got one employee or a growing team, we’re here to take the stress out of super. We can:

  • Help set up your super clearing process
  • Ensure you’re using the correct fund and USI
  • Request stapled fund details from the ATO
  • Track due dates and help plan ahead
  • Review past super activity for compliance

We’ll make sure your business is on the right track—and stays there.


Have Questions? Let’s Talk

Super doesn’t have to be a headache.
Let’s get your obligations sorted, on time, every time.

📧 admin@bennettstax.com.au

📞1300 TAX ACT

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