Super Guarantee Increases to 11%

The increase to the superannuation guarantee (SG) rate from 1 July 2023 will see more employees (and certain contractors) entitled to additional SG contributions on their pay. But what happens when income earned before 30 June is paid after 30 June 2023 - will employers be entitled to the higher SG rate of 11%?

SG is based on when an employee is paid

On 1 July 2023, the SG rate increased from 10.5% to 11%. In some cases, an employee's pay period will cross over between June and July when the rate changes.

However, the percentage employers are required to apply is determined based on when the employee is paid, not when the income is earned. The rate of 11% will need to be applied to all ordinary time earnings (OTE) that are paid on or after 1 July 2023, even if some or all of the pay period it relates to is before 1 July 2023.

This means if the pay period ends on or before 30 June, but the pay date falls on or after 1 July, the 11% SG rate applies on those salary and wages. The date of the salary and wage payment determines the rate of SG payable, regardless of when the work was performed.

Example

Nicholas is an employee of ABC Pty Ltd.

If Nicholas performed work:

- In June (or partly in June and partly in July) but he was paid in July, the SG rate is 11% on his entire payment and contributions, totaling 11% of his OTE for the September 2023 quarter. This must be made to his superannuation fund by 28 October.

- In July, but was paid in advance (before 1 July), the SG rate is 10.5% and contributions totaling 10.5% of his OTE for the June 2023 quarter must be made to his superannuation fund by 28 July.

SG rate will continue to rise

Employers should prepare for ongoing, annual increased to the SG rate over the coming years. The following already-legislated increases to 12% by 2025 will proceed as follows:

Period                                                         SG rate (%)

1 July 2020 - 30 June 2021                                 9.5

1 July 2021 - 30 June 2022                                  10

1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023                               10.5

1 July 2023 - 30 June 2024                                  11

1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025                               11.5

1 July 2025 onwards                                             12

Basis of SG

SG is only payable on a workers' OTE. OTE is the amount you pay employees for their ordinary hours of work, including things like commissions and shift loadings, but not in relation to overtime hours (being those outside the ordinary hours stated in a worker's award or other employment agreement).

More information? If you are still uncertain around the application of the new SG rate or need guidance on which payments constitute OTE, reach out to us.