Employees unaware of payday super changes, MYOB finds

MYOB has published research showing that most Australian employees are unaware of payday super changes, as employers shift from quarterly superannuation contributions to payments with each pay cycle.

The accounting software group surveyed 1,000 Australians and found 57% were unaware the change had commenced this month. A further 34% said they had not heard of the reform until completing the survey, while 26% said they understood it a little and 21% said they did not understand it at all.

The reform changes the timing of super payments, requiring employers to make contributions alongside wages rather than on a quarterly basis. For small and medium-sized businesses, that means changes to payroll administration, cash flow management, and compliance processes.

The results point to a gap between the operational work underway within businesses and the public understanding of what the reform means for workers. MYOB argued employees are more likely to engage with their retirement savings if contributions are easier to see and track through regular pay cycles.

Awareness gap

Kim Owen-Jones, General Manager, SME, at MYOB, said the findings showed a need for clearer communication to workers as the payroll change takes effect.

Super can often feel abstract for many working Australians, something tied to a distant future rather than today's pay," said Owen-Jones.

"While employers are rightly focused on getting Payday Super up and running, they also have an important role to play to help employees understand what it means for them day to day. Simple, practical communication like explaining when super will be paid, where to check contributions, and what to do if something looks wrong can make the reform feel real and relevant to people's financial future.

"Businesses can't carry the awareness task alone. Employees also need clear, practical information from government and industry about how Payday Super works, what benefits it brings, and the steps they can take to stay on top of their super," she said.

The change is intended to make superannuation payments more visible to employees by linking them directly to each payday. Under the previous quarterly model, contributions could sit in the background for long periods, making it harder for workers to tell whether payments had been made on time.

Regular payment cycles could also improve confidence among employees who want clearer oversight of their entitlements. With household budgets under pressure, more frequent confirmation that super is being paid may give workers a stronger sense that part of their remuneration is being handled properly.

Retirement effect

Another effect of the change is the timing of money entering super funds. Earlier and more frequent contributions mean funds remain invested longer over the year, which can improve balances through compounding returns.

MYOB said the reform could also prompt workers to take a closer interest in payslips, super accounts, and the full structure of their pay. That would make superannuation a more immediate part of personal finance rather than a distant retirement issue many employees rarely review.

For employers, the shift adds another layer of payroll adjustment at a time when many smaller businesses are already dealing with compliance demands and cost pressures. Businesses will need systems that can process super contributions in step with wages and support staff with accurate information about when and where payments appear.

The findings suggest the implementation of payday super will depend not only on employer readiness but also on how well workers understand MYOB's changes. In MYOB's survey, the combined results indicate awareness remains low even as the new payment framework begins to alter everyday payroll practice across Australian workplaces.