Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation)

Current status

This bill became law on Nov 6th, 2025.

Policy area

Budget, tax & economy

What does this bill do?

The Act reforms the superannuation guaranteeThe minimum employer superannuation support required for eligible employees. The bill changes how the charge framework encourages employers to pay it on time. framework so employers have a strong incentive to make superannuation contributions at the same time as employees are paid their qualifying earnings.

Why was it introduced?

The bill was introduced to shift superannuation guaranteeThe minimum employer superannuation support required for eligible employees. The bill changes how the charge framework encourages employers to pay it on time. contributions from the quarterly model to a payday-aligned model, after government materials identified nearly $5.2 billion in unpaid superannuation in 2021-22 and argued earlier payment would improve compounding, transparency and ATO enforcement.

Broader context

Payday superThe policy of paying employer superannuation contributions at the same time as wages, rather than under the old quarterly timing model. came out of the 2023-24 Budget’s unpaid-super package. The government’s explanatory materials framed the reform as a shift from quarterly SGThe minimum employer superannuation support required for eligible employees. The bill changes how the charge framework encourages employers to pay it on time. timing to contributions linked to each pay cycle, while debate focused on unpaid super, compounding losses, small-business transition risk, and Greens amendments on onboarding advertising and under-18 part-time workers.

Key criticism

The main criticism was not that workers should miss out on super, but that the implementation timetable and compliance design would be hard for small businesses and software providers. The Greens supported the bill but criticised omitted protections on super fund advertising during onboarding and sought stronger coverage for young part-time workers. One Nation opposed the bill, saying it would hurt small-business cash flow and employment.

Who supported it?

Jim Chalmers MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.

Introduced in House 09 Oct 2025
Passed House 30 Oct 2025
Passed Senate 04 Nov 2025
Became law 06 Nov 2025

Did it become law?

Yes

Became law 06 Nov 2025

Final passage

Passed without a counted vote

1 recorded amendment or procedural vote was found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.

Passage speed

28 days

From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step

Official record

View on APH

Parliament of Australia bill page

What does this bill do?

  1. The Act reforms the superannuation guaranteeThe minimum employer superannuation support required for eligible employees. The bill changes how the charge framework encourages employers to pay it on time. framework so employers have a strong incentive to make superannuation contributions at the same time as employees are paid their qualifying earnings.

  2. The new framework starts on 1 July 2026 and applies to superannuation guaranteeThe minimum employer superannuation support required for eligible employees. The bill changes how the charge framework encourages employers to pay it on time. contributions for qualifying earnings days on or after that date.

  3. Employers can reduce their superannuation guarantee chargeA charge payable when an employer has a superannuation guarantee shortfall. Under the new framework it can include final shortfall amounts, notional earnings, administrative uplift and choice loading. to nil if contributions are received by the employee’s fund within the required period, usually seven business days after payday.

  4. Late or missing contributions create a superannuation guaranteeThe minimum employer superannuation support required for eligible employees. The bill changes how the charge framework encourages employers to pay it on time. shortfall and charge; notional earningsAn interest-like component intended to compensate an employee for returns lost because a required super contribution was late or missing. accrue so employees are compensated for lost superannuation earnings.

  5. The explanatory materials acknowledge implementation costs, including payroll and business software updates, and higher contribution volumes for superannuation funds.

  6. The Act commences at the same time as the companion Superannuation Guarantee ChargeA charge payable when an employer has a superannuation guarantee shortfall. Under the new framework it can include final shortfall amounts, notional earnings, administrative uplift and choice loading. Amendment Act 2025.

Show source excerpts
  1. The reforms will create a strong incentive for employers to make superannuation contributions for their employees at the same time as they pay the employee’s qualifying earnings.
    Explanatory memorandum
  2. The Bills commence on 1 July 2026. The Bills apply to SG contributions in respect of QE days on or after 1 July 2026.
    Explanatory memorandum
  3. employers that make SG contributions so that they are received by the employee’s superannuation fund within a specified period (usually seven business days) after the employer has paid qualifying earnings will be able to reduce their liability to pay the SG charge to nil.
    Explanatory memorandum
  4. Where SG contributions are received after the specified period, or are not made at all, the employer will have an SG shortfall and will be liable for the SG charge. Notional earnings will accrue on unpaid SG to compensate the employee for lost superannuation earnings.
    Explanatory memorandum
  5. The compliance cost impact includes the need for digital service providers to update payroll and other business software, with this cost likely passed on to employers that use these services. Superannuation funds will also need to ensure their systems will be capable of handling an increase in contribution volume.
    Explanatory memorandum
  6. The whole of this Act At the same time as the Superannuation Guarantee Charge Amendment Act 2025 commences.
    Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Act 2025

Broader context for this bill

Payday superThe policy of paying employer superannuation contributions at the same time as wages, rather than under the old quarterly timing model. came out of the 2023-24 Budget’s unpaid-super package. The government’s explanatory materials framed the reform as a shift from quarterly SGThe minimum employer superannuation support required for eligible employees. The bill changes how the charge framework encourages employers to pay it on time. timing to contributions linked to each pay cycle, while debate focused on unpaid super, compounding losses, small-business transition risk, and Greens amendments on onboarding advertising and under-18 part-time workers.

  1. 2023-24 Budget

    Government announces payday superThe policy of paying employer superannuation contributions at the same time as wages, rather than under the old quarterly timing model. package

    The explanatory memorandum says the bills fully implement the Securing Australians’ Superannuation Package from the 2023-24 Budget.

    Explanatory memorandum ↗
  2. 2021-22

    Unpaid super estimate frames the problem

    The explanatory memorandum says unpaid superannuation totalled nearly $5.2 billion in 2021-22 alone.

    Explanatory memorandum ↗
  3. 09 Oct 2025

    Bill introduced in the House

    Jim Chalmers introduced the bill and said workers should be paid super at the same time as wages.

    House Hansard ↗
  4. 30 Oct 2025

    House passes bill

    The House agreed to the second and third readings after debate and after the government rejected the Coalition implementation-delay amendment.

    Parliamentary timeline and House debate ↗
  5. 03-04 Nov 2025

    Senate debates Greens and Coalition concerns

    The Senate agreed to a Greens second-reading amendmentA parliamentary amendment to the motion that a bill be read a second time. It can record views or conditions without changing the bill text itself. on onboarding advertising, defeated the Greens under-18 part-time worker amendment in committee, and passed the bill.

    Senate Hansard and Journals ↗
  6. 06 Nov 2025

    Royal Assent

    The bill received Royal Assent and became Act No. 57 of 2025.

    Federal Register of Legislation metadata in local source bundle ↗

How did it move through Parliament?

House Senate
Introduced 09 Oct 2025

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 09 Oct 2025

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Second reading debate 28 Oct 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Second reading debate 29 Oct 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Scrutiny of Bills review 29 Oct 2025

Scrutiny Digest 6 of 2025; local source bundle records consideration but does not include the report extract.

Considered in published report

Second reading debate 30 Oct 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

House second reading agreed 30 Oct 2025

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

House third reading agreed 30 Oct 2025

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

Introduced 03 Nov 2025

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 03 Nov 2025

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Second reading debate 03 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Senate second reading agreed 03 Nov 2025

The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.

Second reading agreed to

Committee of the WholeA Senate stage where senators can consider a bill in detail and move amendments to the bill text. debate 03 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Committee of the WholeA Senate stage where senators can consider a bill in detail and move amendments to the bill text. debate 04 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Senate third reading agreed 04 Nov 2025

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

Passed both houses 04 Nov 2025

Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.

Finally passed both Houses

Assent 06 Nov 2025

The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.

The main case against this bill

The main criticism was not that workers should miss out on super, but that the implementation timetable and compliance design would be hard for small businesses and software providers. The Greens supported the bill but criticised omitted protections on super fund advertising during onboarding and sought stronger coverage for young part-time workers. One Nation opposed the bill, saying it would hurt small-business cash flow and employment.

Labor and Greens speakers supported passage, the Coalition supported the principle and final passage while seeking changes, and One Nation speakers opposed the bill.

Small-business implementation timetable

Coalition speakers said the principle was sound but the rollout was rushed, citing the need for small businesses and digital service providers to have more time and good-faith compliance protections.

Raised by James Paterson (Liberal Party) and Coalition speakers Source ↗

Onboarding advertising omitted

The Greens argued the bill should have retained exposure-draft provisions regulating super fund advertising during employee onboarding, so workers are not steered into unsuitable products when starting a job.

Raised by Nick McKim (Australian Greens) Source ↗

Under-18 part-time workers

The Greens said young part-time workers under 18 should not be left out of superannuation, and moved a committee-stage amendment to prevent regulations excluding them from qualifying earnings.

Raised by Barbara Pocock and Jordon Steele-John (Australian Greens) Source ↗

One Nation opposition

One Nation speakers argued faster payment rules would damage small-business cash flow, remove a useful ATO clearing-house service, and impose costs that could harm employment.

Raised by Malcolm Roberts and Tyron Whitten (One Nation) Source ↗

Recorded votes

How the bill itself passed

The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.

Passed

House passed the bill

House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

30 Oct 2025

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Passed

Senate passed the bill

Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.

04 Nov 2025

Passed on the voices

In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.

Amendments at a glance

Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.

Senate

Defeated

Greens under-18 super amendment defeated

Aye 14 No 24

Moved by Barbara Pocock (Australian Greens). Defeated 14 to 24. Support came from Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, and UAP.

04 Nov 2025

The bill passed without the Greens change that would have locked in superannuation coverage for under-18 part-time workers.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 21
Greens 10 / 0
Independent 3 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 2
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
UAP 0 / 1
Carried

Greens onboarding advertising amendment agreed

The Senate agreed on voices to a Greens second-reading amendmentA parliamentary amendment to the motion that a bill be read a second time. It can record views or conditions without changing the bill text itself. noting that the bill did not include exposure-draft provisions on super fund advertising during employee onboarding.

Carried on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.

Who spoke, and what they said

Start here — lead voices

Sponsor speech Supports

Jim Chalmers

Australian Labor Party • MP 09 Oct 2025

Jim Chalmers supports the bill as a payday-super reform to require superannuation to be paid with wages, improve compounding retirement savings, and help the ATO detect unpaid super earlier.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead opposing voice Opposes

Malcolm Roberts

Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party • Senator 03 Nov 2025

Malcolm Roberts opposes the bill, arguing it will damage small-business cash flow, remove the ATO small-business clearing house, and mainly benefit industry super funds.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead supporting voice Supports

Rebekha Sharkie

Centre Alliance • MP 29 Oct 2025

Rebekha Sharkie supports the bill after noting years of constituent complaints about unpaid super, while also acknowledging concerns about the tight implementation timetable for employers.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead voice Mixed

Tim Wilson

Liberal Party • MP 29 Oct 2025

Tim Wilson backs the Coalition second-reading amendmentA parliamentary amendment to the motion that a bill be read a second time. It can record views or conditions without changing the bill text itself. and uses the bill debate to argue for small-business protections, a delayed start for small employers, and a broader critique of compulsory superannuation policy.

Read in Hansard ↗

All speeches by bloc

Labor

16 speakers · 17 contributions · 16 support

  1. Matt Gregg Matt Gregg supports the bill and uses local and state unpaid-super figures to argue that workers lose earned money, compound returns and insurance cover when super is not paid.
    “The amount of unpaid super owed to workers in my electorate of Deakin was $31.4 million”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 30 Oct 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Shayne Neumann Shayne Neumann supports the bill, rejects Coalition attacks on superannuation, and frames payday superThe policy of paying employer superannuation contributions at the same time as wages, rather than under the old quarterly timing model. as part of Labor’s record of increasing the superannuation guaranteeThe minimum employer superannuation support required for eligible employees. The bill changes how the charge framework encourages employers to pay it on time. and protecting retirement incomes.
    “The member calls superannuation 'neo-feudalism'. What nonsense!”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 29 Oct 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Deborah O'Neill Deborah O’Neill supports the bill, criticises anti-superannuation arguments, and presents payday superThe policy of paying employer superannuation contributions at the same time as wages, rather than under the old quarterly timing model. as a fairness measure for workers and responsible employers.
    “this will improve the lives of millions of Australians”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 03 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. Ged Kearney Ged Kearney supports the bill as a Labor and union movement reform that strengthens superannuation and addresses unpaid super affecting low-paid, casual and insecure workers.
    “Labor believes super should be paid on payday, just like wages.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 30 Oct 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  5. Lisa Chesters Lisa Chesters supports the bill as a common-sense worker protection, arguing super is employees’ deferred pay and unpaid super should not be used as an employer cash-flow tool.
    “This bill is common sense. This bill will be welcome news to all Australian workers.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 30 Oct 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  6. Helen Polley Helen Polley supports the bill as a once-in-a-generation reform to require super to be paid with wages and reduce deliberate late or unpaid super.
    “This legislation is a once-in-a-generation reform to close one of the biggest gaps in our superannuation system.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 03 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  7. Lisa Darmanin 2 contributions Lisa Darmanin supports the bill as a wage-theft and retirement-security reform, arguing workers lose both their money and decades of compounding when super is paid late.

    Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Lisa Darmanin on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • Senator • 03 Nov 2025

    Lisa Darmanin supports the bill as a wage-theft and retirement-security reform, arguing workers lose both their money and decades of compounding when super is paid late.

    “When superannuation is paid late, workers lose out twice”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • Senator • 03 Nov 2025

    Lisa Darmanin supports the bill and argues against delaying payday superThe policy of paying employer superannuation contributions at the same time as wages, rather than under the old quarterly timing model., saying modern payroll systems can handle regular super payments and delay would hurt younger workers.

    “Those opposite in the coalition want to delay payday super. They say that it's too much too soon and that it will overwhelm business.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
  8. Josh Dolega Josh Dolega supports the bill as an overdue reform to close unpaid-super gaps affecting young workers, low-income earners and women.
    “The bill delivers on a simple but powerful principle: when Australians are paid their wages, they are paid their superannuation at the same time—no delays and no excuses.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 03 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  9. Julie-Ann Campbell Julie-Ann Campbell supports the bill as a long-overdue fix to unpaid super and says payday superThe policy of paying employer superannuation contributions at the same time as wages, rather than under the old quarterly timing model. will make the retirement system fairer for workers.
    “Payday super is not just a policy change. It's a fundamental fix to a broken system that has allowed billions in superannuation to go unpaid.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 30 Oct 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  10. Richard Dowling Richard Dowling supports the bill as a fairness measure that aligns super with wages and strengthens penalties for late or missing payments.
    “From 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay super contributions into an employee's fund within seven days of each payday rather than quarterly.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 03 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  11. Ellie Whiteaker Ellie Whiteaker supports the bill, saying it closes a hidden unpaid-super gap and is especially important for women, young people and migrant workers.
    “Unpaid super is wage theft, plain and simple, and the problem with a quarterly system is that it hides nonpayment for months or even years.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 03 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  12. Trish Cook Trish Cook supports the bill as a long-overdue reform to make superannuation visible to employees, reduce unpaid super, and align legal obligations with responsible payroll practice.
    “This is a fundamental reform to the bedrock of our retirement system.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 30 Oct 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  13. Katy Gallagher Katy Gallagher introduces the bills in the Senate by incorporating the second-reading speech, presenting payday superThe policy of paying employer superannuation contributions at the same time as wages, rather than under the old quarterly timing model. as a reform to pay super with wages and reduce unpaid super.
    “Workers should be paid their super at the same time they are paid their salary and wages. That's exactly what this bill enshrines into law.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 03 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  14. Daniel Mulino Daniel Mulino supports the bill on behalf of the government, rejects the Coalition amendments, and says the bill balances worker benefits with transition measures such as seven business days and first-year ATO compliance discretion.
    “The government will not be supporting the amendments moved and tabled by the shadow Treasurer.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 30 Oct 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  15. Corinne Mulholland Corinne Mulholland supports the bill as a fairness measure to make sure workers receive earned super on time, every time.
    “This isn't just a technical change to payroll systems; it is about fairness.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 03 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Coalition

2 speakers · 2 mixed

  1. James Paterson James Paterson says the Coalition supports the principle and passage of payday superThe policy of paying employer superannuation contributions at the same time as wages, rather than under the old quarterly timing model., but criticises the rollout as rushed and seeks more time and protections for small business.
    “At the outset, let me make clear the coalition strongly supports the principle of payday super.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 03 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Greens

3 speakers · 3 support

  1. Nick McKim Nick McKim says the Greens support the bill, but moves a second-reading amendmentA parliamentary amendment to the motion that a bill be read a second time. It can record views or conditions without changing the bill text itself. pressing the government to regulate super fund advertising during employee onboarding.
    “The Greens welcome the Labor government's Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Bill 2025 and Superannuation Guarantee Charge Amendment Bill 2025.”

    Australian Greens • Senator • 03 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Jordon Steele-John Jordon Steele-John supports the Greens position and backs Barbara Pocock’s amendment to extend superannuation protections to young people under 18.
    “I very much support Senator Pocock's amendment and would commend it to the Senate.”

    Australian Greens • Senator • 03 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Barbara Pocock Barbara Pocock says the Greens support the bill, while arguing it should go further by protecting young part-time workers under 18 and regulating super fund advertising during onboarding.
    “The Greens welcome this bill, and we will be supporting it.”

    Australian Greens • Senator • 03 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

One Nation

2 speakers · 2 oppose

  1. Tyron Whitten Tyron Whitten is critical of the bill, arguing that faster super payments and the loss of the small-business clearing house would put pressure on small-business cash flow.
    “Superannuation arriving a few weeks earlier, which you still can't access for 30 years, will cripple some small businesses through lean times.”

    Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party • Senator • 03 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Minor parties and independents

1 speaker · 1 support

Full record

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