Payday Super: Is your business ready for 1 July 2026?

Big changes are coming to how Australian businesses pay superannuation. From 1 July 2026, super will need to be paid more frequently and aligned with your pay cycles, rather than quarterly. It’s a major shift in how super works in practice and will change how you handle payroll and manage your cash flow.

You can read the latest guidance from the ATO here: Payday Super

What’s changing under Payday Super (according to ATO)

1. Super payments will move closer to payday: When you pay your employees, you’ll also need to arrange their super payment for that pay run. Proposals indicate that super will need to reach the employee’s super fund within 7 business days of payday, instead of by the end of each quarter.
2. A new way to calculate super: Qualifying Earnings (QE): The reforms will introduce a new concept called Qualifying Earnings (QE). QE is expected to become the basis for super guarantee calculations and is designed to provide a consistent approach across existing Ordinary Time Earnings as well as commissions and other relevant payment types. As an example this means bonuses and commissions will be included in super calculations as part of these changes.
3. Changes to the maximum contribution base (MCB): The (MCB) for super guarantee is expected to move from a quarterly cap to an annual cap under the new rules. What this means is that once an employee reaches the annual cap, no further super is required for that financial year.

What this means for your business

This isn’t just another box‑ticking exercise. The government has identified that billions of dollars in super go unpaid each year, and these new rules are designed to reduce underpayments by making contributions more visible and more timely.

For your business, this means:

• Your cash flow will look different because you’ll be paying super more frequently.
• Your payroll system must handle super calculations and payments for every pay run, not just once a quarter.
• Your reconciliation processes will need to support more frequent super payments and reporting.
• If your systems and processes aren’t ready, non‑compliance may lead to penalties and additional admin work.

Five things you can do right now

July 2026 might feel a long way off, but businesses that start preparing now will have a much smoother transition.

1. Review your cash flow: Paying super more often changes how money moves through your business. Work with your accountant or finance team to model what more frequent super payments will look like for you.
2. Check your current super calculations: Make sure you’re already paying the correct super guarantee for everyone on your payroll. Any issues that exist now will only be amplified under Payday Super.
3. Update your reconciliation processes: More frequent payments mean more opportunities for errors. Review how you currently reconcile superannuation and plan for how this will work when super is paid for every pay run.
4. Stay informed: Details may evolve as we get closer to 1 July 2026. Keep up to date with information from the ATO and from your payroll software provider.
5. Talk to your advisers: Seek guidance from your tax, legal or financial advisers about how Payday Super affects your specific business structure, awards and agreements.

How we’re making this easier for you

At Pronto Software, we know that dealing with new regulations can feel overwhelming. We’re investing in our product roadmap so that Pronto Xi helps you manage Payday Super with confidence.

Here’s what we’re working on:

• Employee Onboarding Portal (available January 2026)
  Get new employees set up properly from day one, including their super details, to reduce errors and rework later. Get an inside look into the functions of Pronto Xi’s new employee onboarding process, in the latest video update.
• Payday Super features in Pronto Xi
  We’re building tools designed to support the new requirements, including:
  • Sending superannuation data and contributions directly to funds via an integrated solution, improving efficiency compared to traditional clearing houses.
  • A central dashboard showing what has been reported and paid for each pay run, helping you track your obligations and status at a glance.
  • Updates to Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting so that new Qualifying Earnings (QE) requirements are report as
  • Revising the MCB rules to ensure correct handling.

Our aim is simple: less manual work for you, fewer errors, and more confidence that your payroll is compliant and running smoothly.

We’re here to help you navigate this transition. As the ATO releases more detail, we’ll continue updating Pronto Xi and our guidance to keep you aligned with Payday Super.

If you’d like to get ahead of the changes, talk to our team about how Pronto Xi can help your business prepare for Payday Super in 2026.

For all official details and updates, always refer to the ATO: Payday Super

This article is general information only and is based on current government announcements as at January 2026. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Always refer to the ATO and your professional advisers for advice specific to your business