Super Tip 1. Know your obligations
Superannuation Guarantee law requires you to pay a minimum amount of super for an employee if they:
- Are between 18 and 69 years old (inclusive).
- Earn $450 or more (before-tax) in a calendar month, or earn $350 or more in a calendar month if an employee is under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award (HIGA).
- Are under the age of 18 and work 30 hours or more in a week and earn more $450 or more (before-tax) in a calendar month.
- Are employed on a full-time basis, part-time or casual basis (including those who are working in Australia temporarily).
Find out more about your obligations
Super Tip 2. Pay on time
HOSTPLUS requires contributions to be paid on a monthly basis. If your business is not bound by an award or agreement that stipulates monthly contributions, you can contact us to make your payments quarterly. We suggest that your superannuation payments are paid on or before the 14th day of the following month to allow plenty of time for processing. For example, the monthly contribution for February should be made by 14 March.
Payment deadlines
| Financial year quarters | Payment period dates | HOSTPLUS due date | Australian Tax Office (ATO) legislative due date | Late payment - SG Charge due date |
| Quarter 1 | 1 July to 30 September | 14 October | 28 October | 28 November |
| Quarter 2 | 1 October to 31 December | 14 January | 28 January | 28 February |
| Quarter 3 | 1 January to 31 March | 14 April | 28 April | 28 May |
| Quarter 4 | 1 April to 30 June | 14 July | 28 July | 28 August |
More about payment deadlines and what happens if you miss them
Super Tip 3. How much you need to pay
The minimum amount you must pay is currently 9% of your employee’s ordinary time earnings (OTE). If your employees are covered by an award or employment agreement which specifies a higher super contribution than 9%, you must then pay the higher amount.
For more information or help on how much you need to pay for an employee under an award or agreement, visit fwa.gov.au or call Fair Work Australia on 1300 799 675.
Super Tip 4. Provide employee’s Tax File Numbers (TFNs)
The ATO may fine you to $1,100 if you’re late providing or do not pass on an employee’s TFN. When an employee starts working for you, they usually complete a Tax File Number declaration form that contains their TFN. Once they give you this form, you must pass their TFN to HOSTPLUS within 14 days of the employee giving you this form, or when you make the first SG contribution on their behalf.
More about providing your employee’s TFNs
Super Tip 5. Consider making your payments online
You need a way to make payments and access your super information that's fast, secure and easy - and when it's convenient for you.
With SuperSite you can submit your contribution advice online, view your payment history, submit payment advices for different departments within your business, update, edit employee details and submit Tax File Numbers all online.
If you use an electronic payroll system, you can upload your payroll files directly to Super FileManager.
Find out which online payment solution is best for you
Super Tip 6. Understand Super Choice
Super Choice means eligible employees can choose which fund their super contributions are paid to. If your employees don’t choose a fund, you must pay their super into your default fund.
If your employees are eligible for Super Choice, to meet your legal obligations, you’ll need to keep records showing that:
- You offered a choice of super funds to eligible employees and provided them with a standard choice form within 28 days of the commencement of their employment.
- If an employee asked for a choice form, you provided one within 28 days of their request.
- You’ve acted on your employees’ choice of super fund and included the date that the employee nominated their fund.
- You have information about your chosen default fund.
More about Super Choice and the penalties involved if you don’t meet these requirements
Super Tip 7. Keep your employees informed
The Government wants to ensure that super is paid on time and that employees are given more information about their superannuation payments.
Through the Securing Super reforms (part of the overall Stronger Super initiatives) you need to make sure your employees receive information on their payslips about the amount of super actually paid into their account.
Super Tip 8. Help your employees get the most out of their membership
We know your employees are important to you and your business. Helping them understand the importance of super could really do them a favour in the long run. An Account Manager can run education sessions in your workplace about super, insurance, investment options and all the extras that come with HOSTPLUS membership.
Find out more about how an Account Manager could help you
Super Tip 9. Become part of the HOSTPLUS Community
We’re building a special community just for HOSTPLUS members and employers. As an employer, becoming part of the community means you can talk to almost one million HOSTPLUS members about your business. It’s a way you can offer them exclusive deals, discounts and even advertise positions vacant.
Coming soon!