Lack of awareness, confidence ahead of payday super start

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist

24 March 2026

Just 100 days out from the commencement of the Payday Super reforms, new research commissioned by MLC has found the majority of everyday Australians remain either unaware of the legislation or when it is scheduled to come into effect.

According to an online survey of over 1,000 Australians aged between 18 and 79 conducted by McCrindle, 80 per cent were unaware of payday super and 85 per cent were unsure of its scheduled date of commencement on 1 July.

This comes at the same time as more than half of 756 Australian employers surveyed by MLC (55 per cent) indicated they were not feeling confident that their business is prepared to meet the new requirements legislated by the payday super reforms.

“Payday Super will help boost the super balances in retirement for millions of working Australians. Paying super at the same time as wages means that more working Australians will see their retirement savings grow simply through being invested sooner,” Dave Woodall, CEO of MLC Super, said.

“With so many Australians still unaware the change is coming, MLC is encouraging people to use this as an opportunity to reconnect with their super.

“Now is a great time to check that your superannuation fund details are correct and up to date. It may seem simple, but checking your personal details are up to date with your superannuation fund helps your fund and employer ensure your contributions, which are your retirement savings, land in the right account sooner.”

The reform seeks to address the issue of unpaid super – estimated to total $5 billion a year – as well as improve retirement outcomes and the transparency of employers.

According to initial modelling conducted by Treasury when the draft consultation was announced in 2022, a 25‑year‑old median income earner currently receiving their super quarterly and wages fortnightly woukd be approximately $6,000 better off at retirement if super was paid on payday.

“Payday Super is good news for Australian workers and could add thousands of extra dollars to their super balance in retirement,” Woodall said.

“Although retirement might seem like a long way away for some, it’s important to remember that your superannuation is your money and that a glorious retirement is something that’s actually built by the choices people make today.”