EMPLOYER OBLIGATIONS

Below is some important information on your legal obligations as an Employer paying superannuation for your employees.

Superannuation Guarantee or SG Contributions.
The minimum rate of employer contribution is determined by the Federal Government's Superannuation Guarantee (SG) legislation and applicable industrial awards and agreements. Currently, the SG contribution rate is 9% of the employee’s ‘earnings base’.

Until 30 June 2008, the employee’s earning base would either be ordinary time earnings, or in some cases an earnings base that may be contained in an industrial award or agreement, a fund’s trust deed or a Commonwealth, State or Territory law.

As from 1 July 2008 all employers must use ordinary time earnings as the earnings base. Information on what ordinary time earnings comprises can be found here.  In certain circumstances ‘overtime’ may be ordinary time earnings, click here for ATO Interpretative Decision ATO ID 2007/73.

SG contributions can be made monthly or quarterly.  Contributions must be made at least every quarter, with the SG contribution due date being 28 days after the end of the quarter.  

SG Quarters:                              Quarterly cut-off dates for payments:                           
1 January – 31 March                   28 April
1 April – 30 June                           28 July
1 July – 30 September                  28 October
1 October – 31 December            28 January

Member Contributions being paid by an Employer

If you are sending Member Personal Contributions to a super fund on behalf of an Employee, you must submit this to the super fund within 28 days of the end of the month following the deduction.

View the ATO's 'Super guarantee - a guide for employers' here.  If you have any questions regarding this information, you can contact either:

Westscheme Administration on 1800 198 327; or
a Client Service Manager on (08) 9218 4000; or
the ATO Superannuation Hotline on 13 10 20.