What Is the Current Superannuation Guarantee Rate?If you’re working in Australia, your employer is legally required to pay a portion of your earnings into your superannuation account.
That contribution is known as the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) and it plays a huge role in building your retirement savings.
So, what is the current superannuation guarantee rate in 2025? Let’s take a look at the exact numbers, how it’s changing, and what it means for your future retirement balance.
The Current Superannuation Guarantee Rate in 2025
As of 1 July 2025, the Superannuation Guarantee rate is 11.5% of an employee’s ordinary time earnings.That means your employer must contribute 11.5% of your salary or wages to your nominated super fund, on top of your regular pay.
You don’t need to do anything it happens automatically with every pay cycle.
The rate will increase again to 12% from 1 July 2026, as part of the government’s long-term plan to strengthen Australia’s retirement savings system.
| Financial Year | Super Guarantee Rate |
|---|---|
| 2023–24 | 11% |
| 2024–25 | 11.5% |
| 2025–26 and beyond | 12% |
Why Is the Superannuation Guarantee Important?
The Superannuation Guarantee is the foundation of Australia’s retirement system. It ensures that every working Australian builds savings for their future, reducing reliance on the Age Pension later in life.
Here’s why it matters:
- Automatic savings: Even small regular contributions can grow into significant savings over time.
- Employer responsibility: Your employer must make these payments it’s not optional.
- Long-term growth: The earlier you start earning super, the more you benefit from compound returns.
For example, if you earn $80,000 per year, your employer must pay $9,200 (11.5%) into your super. Over a 30-year career, that can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars especially with investment growth.
Who Gets Superannuation Guarantee Contributions?
You’re generally eligible for SG contributions if you:
- Are 18 years or older, and
- Earn $450 or more in a calendar month, and
- Work as an employee or contractor paid mainly for labour.
There are a few exceptions, such as some self-employed workers or employees under specific visa types, but most Australian workers qualify.
Even casual or part-time workers are entitled to SG payments the rule applies to almost everyone.
How Often Must Employers Pay Super?
Employers must pay SG contributions at least quarterly by the following due dates each year:
| 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 |
Some employers choose to pay monthly or with every pay cycle, but quarterly is the legal minimum.
You can check your payments at any time by logging into your MyGov account linked to the ATO or by reviewing your super fund statements.
What Happens If Your Employer Doesn’t Pay?
If your employer doesn’t meet their SG obligations, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) can take action.
Employers who miss payments must pay the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC) which includes:
- The unpaid super amount
- Interest
- An administration fee
If you suspect your employer hasn’t paid your super correctly, you can contact the ATO to lodge an inquiry.
How the Upcoming Increase to 12% Will Affect You
From 1 July 2026, the Super Guarantee will reach 12% its highest ever rate.
This increase means:
- Workers will build larger super balances by retirement.
- Employers will contribute slightly more each year.
- The average full-time employee could end up with tens of thousands more in super savings over their working life.
For younger Australians, even an extra 0.5% per year can make a major difference by the time they reach their 60s thanks to compounding returns.
FAQs: What Is the Current Superannuation Guarantee Rate?
1. What is the superannuation guarantee rate in 2025?
The current Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate in 2025 is 11.5% of your ordinary time earnings.
This means your employer must contribute an additional 11.5% of your base salary or wages into your nominated super fund on top of your regular pay.
For example, if you earn $80,000 per year, your employer is required to contribute $9,200 into your super fund annually.
These contributions are compulsory, and they are designed to help you build long-term savings for retirement.
The SG rate applies to most employees in Australia and is automatically calculated by your employer with every pay cycle.
2. When will it increase to 12%?
The Superannuation Guarantee rate will increase to 12% from 1 July 2026.
This gradual increase is part of the government’s long-term plan to strengthen the retirement system and reduce future reliance on the Age Pension.
The SG rate has been increasing by 0.5% each financial year since 2021:
- 2023–24: 11%
- 2024–25: 11.5%
- 2025–26: 12% (final rate)
Once it reaches 12%, it will stay at that level unless new legislation changes it in the future.
For employees, this means more money going into super each year and for employers, it means a slightly higher contribution obligation.
3. Who is eligible to receive super contributions?
You’re generally eligible to receive Superannuation Guarantee contributions if you:
- Are 18 years of age or older, and
- Earn $450 or more in a calendar month, and
- Work as an employee or contractor who is paid mainly for your labour.
Eligibility applies whether you work full-time, part-time, or casual, and even if you’re a temporary resident or on a visa.
You don’t need to work a minimum number of hours what matters is how much you earn.
If you’re under 18, you can still be eligible for SG payments if you work more than 30 hours per week.
It’s also important to note that even some contractors are entitled to super, particularly if their contract is based primarily on their personal labour rather than business income.
4. Can I ask my employer to pay more?
Yes. While the minimum SG rate is 11.5%, you can choose to increase your super contributions in two main ways:
- Salary Sacrifice:
You can ask your employer to redirect part of your pre-tax salary into your super fund.
This reduces your taxable income and can help you build your balance faster while taking advantage of concessional (lower) tax rates. - Personal Contributions:
You can also add after-tax money to your super and, in some cases, claim a tax deduction.
Some employers may also offer higher SG contributions as part of your employment package especially in government roles or senior positions.
It’s worth checking your payslips or employment contract to see if your employer offers above-standard super benefits.
5. What if my employer doesn’t pay my super?
If you suspect that your employer hasn’t paid your super correctly or on time, you have the right to take action.
Here’s what you can do:
- Check your payments:
Log into your MyGov account (linked to the Australian Taxation Office) to view your super contributions. You can also review your super fund statements to confirm payments. - Know the payment deadlines:
Employers must pay super at least quarterly, with due dates on the 28th of October, January, April, and July each year. - Report missing payments:
If your employer hasn’t paid the correct amount or missed a deadline, you can report it to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The ATO will investigate and may require your employer to pay the missed contributions plus penalties and interest.
Employers who fail to meet their SG obligations must pay the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC), which includes the unpaid super, interest, and an administration fee.
Keeping track of your super payments regularly ensures you don’t miss out on money that’s legally yours.
How Superannuation Works When You Retire
How Much Superannuation Can I Have and Still Get a Pension?
Understanding the Superannuation Guarantee rate and your eligibility is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to take control of your financial future.
At Wealthlab, we help Australians make sense of their super from employer contributions to personal top-ups so you can grow your retirement balance with confidence.
Book a free consultation today to learn how to make every contribution count toward your future.
Learn More About Retirement & Superannuation
https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/super-for-employers
https://treasury.gov.au/policy-topics/superannuation