Why Paying Superannuation on Time Matters More Than Ever

Running a business is busy work. Between serving clients, managing staff, and keeping the wheels turning, it’s easy for admin tasks like superannuation payments to slip down the priority list. But here’s the truth: paying employee super late is one of the most costly mistakes a business can make.

The rules in plain English

Super contributions must be paid within 28 days of the end of each quarter. But because super funds take time to process payments, we recommend aiming for the 15th of the following month.

For example:

Quarter 1 (July–September): Pay by 28 October (we recommend by 15 October)
Quarter 2 (October–December): Pay by 28 January (recommend 15 January)
Quarter 3 (January–March): Pay by 28 April (recommend 15 April)
Quarter 4 (April–June): Pay by 28 July (recommend 15 July)

What happens if you pay late?

Unfortunately, late payments can’t just be “fixed” by paying a few days after the deadline. If contributions are late, you must lodge a Superannuation Guarantee (SG) Statement with the ATO.

This means:

The shortfall is calculated on your employee’s gross wages (including overtime).
You’ll be charged interest and administration fees.
Most importantly, you lose the tax deduction for those contributions.

That’s a double hit — more cash out the door, and higher taxable income at year end.

Why the ATO is watching more closely

In the past, some businesses hoped that late payments would “fly under the radar”. That’s no longer possible. With Single Touch Payroll and super clearing house reporting, the ATO receives near real-time data on what’s been paid (and when).

How to stay compliant (and stress-free)

Set reminders for the 15th of the month after each quarter.
Automate payments through your accounting software where possible.
Check cashflow early so super doesn’t get squeezed out at the last minute.
Talk to your accountant if you think you might miss a payment — there may be ways to get ahead of issues.

At GTC Financial, we work with Gladstone business owners every day to make sure they stay on top of compliance, while also maximising cashflow and tax efficiency.

👉 If you’re worried about your upcoming super deadline, give us a call. It’s always better to get advice early than deal with penalties later.