28/10/2026
ATTENTION ALL SECURITY GUARDS – IS YOUR EMPLOYER ACTUALLY PAYING YOUR SUPERANNUATION?
ESPECIALLY THOSE ON VISAS OR NEW TO THE AUSTRALIAN SECURITY INDUSTRY!
Just a reminder to everyone working in the security industry, particularly those who may be unfamiliar with Australian employment laws and their superannuation entitlements.
IF YOU ARE WORKING AS A SECURITY GUARD, YOUR EMPLOYER GENERALLY HAS A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO PAY SUPERANNUATION ON YOUR BEHALF!
Superannuation is not a bonus, a favour from your employer or something they can choose to pay when business is going well.
IT IS YOUR MONEY, YOUR ENTITLEMENT AND YOUR FUTURE!
IMPORTANT – NEW SUPERANNUATION LAWS ARE NOW IN FORCE!
From 1 July 2026, the Australian Government introduced new legislation known as PAYDAY SUPER, changing how and when employers must pay their employees' superannuation.
THE DAYS OF EMPLOYERS GENERALLY BEING ALLOWED TO WAIT THREE MONTHS TO PAY SUPERANNUATION ARE OVER!
Under the new legislation:
✅ SUPER MUST BE PAID EVERY PAYDAY – Employers must pay eligible superannuation contributions at the same time they pay employees their wages, whether weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
✅ 7 BUSINESS DAY REQUIREMENT – Superannuation contributions must generally be received by the employee's nominated superannuation fund within seven business days of payday.
✅ 12% SUPERANNUATION RATE – Employers must contribute 12% of eligible qualifying earnings. For example, if you earn $1,000 in qualifying earnings, your employer generally must contribute $120 in superannuation.
✅ FULL-TIME, PART-TIME AND CASUAL EMPLOYEES – Eligible security guards are entitled to superannuation regardless of whether they are permanent or casual.
✅ VISA HOLDERS ARE ENTITLED TOO – Temporary visa holders working in Australia are generally entitled to the same compulsory superannuation protections as Australian employees.
✅ ABN WORKERS MAY STILL BE ENTITLED – Having an ABN does not automatically remove an employer's superannuation obligations. Contractors engaged principally for their labour may also be entitled to superannuation.
✅ STRICTER EMPLOYER ACCOUNTABILITY – The Australian Taxation Office can identify unpaid or late superannuation more quickly through employer payroll reporting and superannuation fund information.
Limited exceptions to the seven-business-day deadline apply, including certain first contributions for new employees or to new super funds, where a 20-business-day timeframe may apply.
LET'S MAKE ONE THING VERY CLEAR!
JUST BECAUSE YOUR PAYSLIP SHOWS SUPERANNUATION BEING CALCULATED DOES NOT MEAN YOUR EMPLOYER HAS ACTUALLY PAID IT!
This is something every security guard needs to understand.
A company can issue payslips every week or fortnight showing superannuation contributions, but that does not automatically mean the money has reached your superannuation account.
Unfortunately, some operators take advantage of workers who don't understand the system, particularly those on visas, international students and people entering the security industry for the first time.
AND UNDER THE NEW PAYDAY SUPER LAWS, THERE ARE EVEN FEWER EXCUSES FOR EMPLOYERS FAILING TO MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS!
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR SUPERANNUATION IS BEING PAID?
It's simple. Take a few minutes to check.
✅ LOG INTO YOUR SUPERANNUATION FUND – Most funds have an app or online portal where you can view your contributions.
✅ COMPARE YOUR PAYSLIPS – Check the superannuation amounts listed on your payslips against the contributions actually received by your fund.
✅ CHECK PAYMENT DATES – Under Payday Super, contributions must generally reach your fund within seven business days of payday, although processing and limited exceptions may affect when they appear in your account.
✅ CHECK THROUGH myGOV – You can access your superannuation information through the Australian Taxation Office linked to your myGov account.
✅ QUESTION MISSING PAYMENTS – If your employer has not paid your superannuation, ask why and request confirmation of when the payments were made.
✅ REPORT UNPAID SUPERANNUATION – If your concerns are not resolved, you can report suspected unpaid superannuation directly to the Australian Taxation Office.
TO THOSE SECURITY COMPANIES NOT PAYING THEIR EMPLOYEES' SUPERANNUATION:
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
If your business model relies on withholding workers' superannuation, underpaying Award entitlements or deliberately avoiding your legal responsibilities, then you have no place operating in the Australian security industry.
You are not simply cutting operating costs.
YOU ARE DEPRIVING YOUR EMPLOYEES OF MONEY THAT SHOULD BE GOING TOWARDS THEIR RETIREMENT!
And let's not forget the wider damage this causes.
When one security company fails to pay its legal employment obligations, it creates an unfair commercial advantage over legitimate operators who correctly pay their employees' wages, penalty rates, superannuation, insurance and other entitlements.
These companies then submit ridiculously low prices for security contracts, knowing they have no intention of meeting all their legal employment obligations.
And what happens?
HONEST SECURITY COMPANIES ARE UNDERCUT, WORKERS ARE EXPLOITED, AND THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY SUFFERS!
We continually hear about security companies offering rates that legitimate operators simply cannot compete with.
Perhaps it's time more clients started asking whether the companies they engage are actually paying their security guards correctly, including their superannuation.
CHEAP SECURITY SHOULD NEVER COME AT THE EXPENSE OF A WORKER'S LEGAL ENTITLEMENTS!
TO ALL SECURITY GUARDS:
If you have been working for a security company for six months, twelve months or several years, take the time to check your superannuation history.
Don't simply assume everything is being paid because it appears on your payslip.
And if your employer is still telling you that superannuation only needs to be paid every three months, THAT IS NO LONGER THE GENERAL RULE FOR WAGES PAID FROM 1 JULY 2026!
Know your rights. Understand your entitlements. Ask questions.
DON'T BE INTIMIDATED INTO STAYING SILENT SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU ARE ON A VISA, NEW TO THE INDUSTRY OR WORRIED ABOUT LOSING YOUR JOB.
Your employer has legal obligations, regardless of your nationality or employment status.
AND FINALLY, TO THE SECURITY COMPANIES CONTINUING TO EXPLOIT THEIR WORKERS:
The introduction of Payday Super is another step towards holding employers accountable.
Companies that deliberately avoid paying superannuation should be investigated and held responsible for their actions.
The security industry has enough challenges without operators who believe they can build profitable businesses by denying workers their legal entitlements.
SUPERANNUATION IS NOT OPTIONAL.
IT IS NOT A NEGOTIATING TOOL.
IT IS NOT MONEY FOR SECURITY COMPANIES TO USE TO KEEP THEIR BUSINESSES AFLOAT.
And most importantly:
IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY YOUR SECURITY GUARDS THEIR LEGAL ENTITLEMENTS, INCLUDING SUPERANNUATION, YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO OPERATE A SECURITY COMPANY!
Our security industry deserves better, and so do the hardworking men and women protecting people, property and businesses every single day.
IT'S TIME TO CLEAN UP THE INDUSTRY AND HOLD THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO EXPLOIT SECURITY GUARDS ACCOUNTABLE!
