Super Guarantee (SG) Rate Schedule & Deadlines
The Australian Government has progressively lifted the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) to help Australians build sufficient retirement nest eggs. Employers must pay contributions at least quarterly by these strict ATO deadlines:
| Quarter | Period Covered | Payment Due Date | Late Payment Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 1 July – 30 September | 28 October | Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC) penalty |
| Q2 | 1 October – 31 December | 28 January | SGC penalty + interest |
| Q3 | 1 January – 31 March | 28 April | SGC penalty + interest |
| Q4 | 1 April – 30 June | 28 July | SGC penalty + interest |
Formulas for Superannuation Calculations
Super Amount = Base Salary × SG Rate
Total Remuneration Package = Base Salary × (1 + SG Rate)
Total Package Mode (TRP / Inclusive):
Base Salary = Total Package ÷ (1 + SG Rate)
Super Amount = Total Package − Base Salary
• If advertised as $100,000 + Super: Base Salary is $100,000.00. Super contribution is $100,000 × 11.5% = $11,500.00. Total package cost to employer is $111,500.00.
• If advertised as $100,000 Total Package: Base Salary is $100,000 ÷ 1.115 = $89,686.10. Super contribution is $10,313.90. Total package equals $100,000.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
What earnings are subject to Superannuation Guarantee?
Super is paid on Ordinary Time Earnings (OTE), which includes wages for ordinary hours of work, commissions, shift loadings, paid leave (annual leave, sick leave, long service leave), and performance bonuses. It does not include overtime hours, redundancy payments, or reimbursements.
Is there an income cap on employer super contributions?
Yes. The ATO sets the Maximum Super Contribution Base. For 2024–2025, this is $65,070 AUD per quarter ($260,280 AUD annually). Employers are not legally required to pay SG contributions on earnings above this limit in a quarter.
What happens if my super contributions exceed the $30,000 cap?
Concessional contributions exceeding the $30,000 annual limit are included in your taxable income and taxed at your marginal personal tax rate (less a 15% tax offset for the fund contributions tax already paid), plus an excess concessional contributions charge.