Superannuation Guarantee

As an employer, the Super Guarantee (SG) legislation requires you to pay superannuation contributions on behalf of your employees. The current SG rate is 9.5% of your employees’ Ordinary Time Earnings.

Ordinary Time Earnings (OTE)

Ordinary Time Earnings is the amount your employee earns in relation to their ordinary hours of work. It includes:

• over-award payments
• bonuses
• commission
• shift allowances
• paid leave

It does not include overtime payments.

How much to pay?

To work out how much you need to pay your employee, calculate the employee’s OTE for the quarter and multiple by the current SG rate of 9.5%.

Maximum superannuation contribution base

Each year, the Federal Government sets a maximum limit on an employee’s income on which you need to pay SG contributions, called the maximum superannuation contribution base. 

The limit is indexed to AWOTE and changes every financial year. For 2019 – 2020 the maximum superannuation contribution base is $55,270 per quarter. So if an employee’s earnings exceed $55,270 for the quarter, you do not need to pay SG contributions on their earnings above this limit. 

Note: Employers may be required to contribute above these limits under any industrial awards or workplace agreements in place.

When to make SG payments?

You can make SG payments fortnightly, monthly or quarterly. There are deadlines for quarterly payments. 

Note, that late SG payments can affect an employee’s insurance claims and you could also receive penalties from the ATO. 

Increases to SG contributions

The current rate is 9.5% and is due to increase gradually to 12% by 30 June 2026. 

The full timetable is outlined below: