If you've been in the workforce for a while, you might've noticed something dodgy about your super. Your payslip shows it's been set aside, but it could be months before it actually lands in your account. Sound familiar?

The Current Rort

Let's call it what it is - the current system is a bit of a rort.

If you have a good employer, like me, they will pay it far more regularly.

In my case, it is once a month.

But, your boss only has to cough up your super four times a year.

That means they can hang onto YOUR retirement savings for up to four months before transferring it.

Think about it.

Would you be happy if your employer said, "We'll just hang onto a chunk of your pay for a few months before we deposit it"?

Not likely! Yet that's exactly what happens with super.

The Good News

Finally, the government's pulled its finger out.

From July 2026, new "payday super" rules are coming in.

Employers will have to transfer your super within seven days of paying your wages.

Why This Matters to You

A whopping one in four Aussie workers are getting dudded on their super.

The ATO reckons $5.2 billion in super went missing in 2021-22. That's billion with a 'B'!

When your super only gets paid quarterly, it's dead easy for mistakes to slip through the cracks.

Or worse - for dodgy employers to "forget" to pay altogether.

Plus, every dollar that sits in your employer's account instead of your super fund is missing out on potential investment returns.

Over a working lifetime, that can add up to thousands of dollars missing from your retirement nest egg.

No Excuses

Back in the '90s when super was new, quarterly payments made sense.

Businesses were still using paper ledgers and paying wages in cash.

These days, every employer already uses digital systems for Single Touch Payroll.

The tech is there to pay super with every pay cycle.

Many decent employers already do this.

It's just the laggards and those using your super as an interest-free loan who'll need to lift their game.

What About Small Business?

Of course, industry groups are chucking a wobbly and asking for another two-year delay.

They reckon businesses need more time to adjust.

But they've already had three years' notice since the announcement in 2023.

Most payroll software providers have already built the capability.

And let's be honest, these same industry groups would probably still be complaining if they'd had a decade to prepare.

Check Your Super!

While we wait for these changes, make it a habit to check your super regularly.

Don't just assume the amount on your payslip has gone into your fund.

Log in to your super account online or use the ATO's MyGov service to track your payments.

If something looks suss, chase it up! Your retirement savings are worth fighting for.

The Bottom Line

Your super is your money.

It should go into your account when you get paid, just like the rest of your wages.

The payday super changes are a no-brainer that will protect workers, simplify things for honest employers, and help ensure we can all enjoy a decent retirement when the time comes.

July 2026 can't come soon enough!