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How you pay super to your employees may depend on your business and who your employees have super with.
You can pay your employees through one of the following online methods:
Clearing House: Used when paying to employees across multiple super funds. A single payment to all employees using one data file through a SuperStream compliant online system. As a Rest employer you will also have access to SCH Online*, a third-party clearing house that will help distribute your payments from EmployerAccess to your employee’s super fund once you’ve uploaded your files. Alternatively, you can access the ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (subject to eligibility).
Employer platform: Used when paying to employees who are members of the super fund. If some or all of your employees are with a particular super fund (e.g. your default super fund), you can make SG contribution payments directly via the superfund’s online system. You can make SG contribution payments and upload your contribution files through the online portal EmployerAccess to Rest members only.
With your payroll provider. Your payroll provider may be able to arrange payment of super for your employees. Fees and charges may apply. You should contact your payroll provider for more information.
* SCH-Online is operated by The Superannuation Clearing House Pty Limited (ABN 15 086 576 721), a corporate authorised representative (representative number 290290) of the product issuer, Pacific Custodians Pty Limited (ABN 66 009 682 866), Australian Financial Services License No. 295142. Rest does not issue or arrange the issue of SCH Online products and/or services. Rest does not recommend, endorse or express an opinion about SCH Online. As such, Rest does not accept liability for any loss or damage you incur in connection with your reliance on SCH Online. Rest does not receive any commissions or other benefits from Pacific Custodians Pty Limited as a result of your use of SCH Online.
Submitting SG contribution files in EmployerAccess
Option 1: Manual Grid
The manual process allows direct entry of contribution details into EmployerAccess. May be most suited to employers with less than 20 employees.
Submitting your SG contribution files - Manual Grid
What is manual grid? It is a manual process for entering each contribution details directly into EmployerAccess.
When to use: May be most suited to employers with less than 20 employees.
Steps:
Type each contribution details directly into EmployerAccess
Add new employee and the contribution details if necessary
Review the summary of data entered
Select make payment and enter payment option
Straight-through processing will then be triggered and allocate contribution into member's account
Tip
Make sure you have all your employees' details and the amount you need to contribute handy to make processing your super payment seamless.
Be sure to notify us when an employee ceases employment.
Option 2: Import File
The Import File option allows you to upload the details of all your employees at once. It saves time, reduces errors and is hassle free. May be most suited to employers with 20 or more employees.
Submitting your SG contribution files - Import file
To submit your contribution file, log in to EmployerAccess.
Load your contribution data to EmployerAccess.
You can use either the Custom file or Superannuation Alternative File Format (SAFF) option.
What is import file? The Import File option allows you to upload the details of all your employees at once. It saves time, reduces errors and is hassle free.
When to use: May be most suited to employers with 20 or more employees.
Steps: Import the details of all your employees simultaneously with the Import File function (csv file is recommended). You can use the fixed format Superannuation Alternative File Format (SAFF) or custom map your own file.
Tip
Make sure you have all your employees' details and the amount you need to contribute handy to make processing your super payment seamless.
Be sure to notify us when an employee ceases employment.
How to upload a contribution file in EmployerAccess
Map your contribution file
When using the import file, to begin you must map out your contribution file.
Now that you’ve mapped your file you can upload the file to complete the process. Once you do this, your file will be ready for contributions processing.
prepare your contribution file for import by firstly ‘mapping fields’. Your file must be either a .txt or .csv file type. Note: Make sure you keep this file because you’re going to need it again after you’ve mapped the file.
map your imported file by selecting how the data in rows and columns are arranged so that the file preview matches your file. Hint: for columns use ‘comma’ for a .csv file and ‘tab’ for a .txt file, for rows use ‘tab’ or ‘new line’. File Import User Guide
define your file structure by indicating whether you’ve labelled your columns with a header row so that it knows at which row your data begins. If you haven’t got a header row, leave it blank.
define date and money formats by indicating what date and money formats you’ve used in your file to ensure that our numbering format matches yours.
match data fields to ensure that your data has been understood correctly, you need to match up the fields in the drop-down menu so that it corresponds to the correct column.
Upload contribution file
Now that you’ve mapped your file you can upload the file to complete the process. Once you do this, your file will be ready for contributions processing.
Select the contribution month(s) required to be paid or ‘Create Additional Contribution’ if necessary.
Enter your contribution amounts and select the ‘Continue’ button.
This will take you to the Summary Page where you can check and confirm what has been submitted.
Then you can either ‘Adjust Payment Detail’ if needed or select on the ‘Continue to Payment Details’.
Pay via BPAY®, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or Authorised Bank Transfer (ABT).
® Registered to BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518
FAQs
How frequently do I need to make SG contributions?
We recommend making monthly payments. Paying contributions monthly means you avoid incurring potential penalties.
Your employees can also benefit greatly from monthly contributions to their accounts, as the investment can start earning interest and generating returns as soon as it is received.
When do I need to pay Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions by?
For quarterly payments the SG deadline date is set 28 days after the end of each quarter.
Quarter
Dates
Payment Due
1st
1 July - 30 September
28 October
2nd
1 October – 31 December
28 January
3rd
1 January – 31 March
28 April
4th
1 April – 30 June
28 July
If you’re making a before-tax contribution (salary sacrifice) on behalf of an employee, it must be paid to Rest by the 28th day of the month following the month from which the contribution was deducted.
Who is eligible to receive super?
Generally, most employees are eligible for Super Guarantee, there are some exceptions such as employees aged under 18, working 30 hours or less per week.
For more information on super guarantee eligibility and exceptions, visit the ATO website.
From 1 July 2022, the Government removed the $450 monthly minimum income threshold for SG contributions.
When do I need to pay SG contributions?
You need to pay SG contributions for employees who are at work or on leave such as:
paid sick leave
long service leave
annual leave
There are some exceptions, for example, employees under 18 years of age who have worked less than 30 hours per week.
For more information on super guarantee eligibility and exceptions, visit the ATO website.
What details do I need before making SG contributions for an employee?
request stapled super fund details for new employees. To do this visit the ATO website.
What happens if I fail to pay SG or do not pay enough?
You’ll need to lodge a SG Charge Statement with the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and pay a penalty.
The penalty (SG charge) will be applied the following month. The charge will include the SG shortfall, interest and an administration fee which is not tax deductible and will result in an added expense to your business.
We have an obligation to take reasonable steps to ensure contributions for members are paid on time. If you fail to make contributions, we’ll send you a reminder. If we still don’t receive the outstanding contributions, we’ll ask our arrears collection agency to look into the matter.
As an employer, you must pay a minimum of 11% of each eligible employee's ordinary time earnings each quarter. If your employees are covered by an award or employment agreement which specifies a higher super contribution than 11%, you must pay that higher amount.
The SG rate is set to increase to 12% by 2025
The SG rate is:
Year
Rate
1 July 2015 - 30 June 2021
9.5%
1 July 2021 - 30 June 2022
10.0%
1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023
10.5%
1 July 2023 - 30 June 2024
11.0%
1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025
11.5%
From 1 July 2025
12.0%
You can use the ATO's calculator to help you calculate how much super you must contribute to your employees.
What methods are available to transfer contribution payments?
Rest has payment flexibility and options available for you:
ABT - Authorised Bank Transfer (ABT) – choose when your funds are transferred from your bank account.
BPAY®– pay your contribution using BPAY® from an account with a bank or financial institution.
EFT – pay your contributions electronically from an account with a bank or financial institution.
® BPAY and the BPAY logo are registered trademarks of BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518
How do I claim a tax deduction on SG contribution payments?
You can claim a tax deduction for the following contributions:
Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions you make for employees in the financial year, if you meet the SG requirements and due dates. Missed payments may attract the super guarantee charge (SGC), which is not tax-deductible.
Salary Sacrifice contributions.
Contributions mandated by an industrial award.
The deductions you can claim depend on the type of business you operate. For more information, visit the ATO website.
How do I pay employees’ contributions in super funds other than Rest?
You can pay super to all your employees, no matter what fund they are with and in one payment with a clearing house.
SCH Online* Clearing House is a third-party clearing house available for all Rest employers and is accessible through EmployerAccess. For more information visit our clearing house section.
You can also use payroll providers, ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (subject to eligibility) or other clearing house providers. You should refer to the relevant payroll provider or clearing house directly for more information about their services.
* SCH-Online is operated by The Superannuation Clearing House Pty Limited (ABN 15 086 576 721), a corporate authorised representative (representative number 290290) of the product issuer, Pacific Custodians Pty Limited (ABN 66 009 682 866), Australian Financial Services License No. 295142. Rest does not issue or arrange the issue of SCH Online products and/or services. Rest does not recommend, endorse or express an opinion about SCH Online. As such, Rest does not accept liability for any loss or damage you incur in connection with your reliance on SCH Online. Rest does not receive any commissions or other benefits from Pacific Custodians Pty Limited as a result of your use of SCH Online.
Do I need to notify Rest if there is nothing to pay an employee?
Yes, it’s important to notify Rest when making nil contributions, as these are reflected on your employees’ accounts even if the employee is not entitled to a Superannuation Guarantee contribution. This is particularly important if contributions are made via a Clearing House as nil contributions are not forwarded to a superannuation fund.
What records do I need to keep?
You must keep records that you have provided choice for eligible employees and details about your super contribution payments.
These records must show:
how much super guarantee (SG) you paid for each employee and how it was calculated
that you have offered each eligible employee a choice of super fund and evidence you have provided the standard choice form to all eligible employees
Details of employees you don't have to offer a choice
Confirmation that your nominated (default) fund offers a MySuper product.
These records must be available in or able to convert into English and records should be kept for 5 years.
For more information visit the ATO website or contact us directly.
Trouble shooting
How to request a contribution refund or adjustment
Generally, contributions can only be refunded to the employer if errors occur - subject to certain circumstances.
You can request an adjustment of super payments made to Rest, changing how a payment was allocated or applying for a full or partial refund of a contribution payment. To request a contributions refund, simply contact us on 1300 305 775 between 8:00am and 8:00pm Monday to Friday.
How to submit a nil contribution
Processing a nil contribution for your employees will also remove these employees from future payment reminder notifications from Rest.
To submit your nil contribution online log in to EmployerAccess and follow the steps:
Submit these details through the ‘Manual Grid’ option.
Ensure the contributions remain defaulted to $0.00 (nil) and select ‘Continue’.
This will take you to the ‘Summary Page’ and select “Continue to ‘Payment Details’.
You are required to select BPAY® as the payment option.
Select ‘Confirm Payment’ for the $0.00 contribution to be authorised.
Your contribution can be found in the ‘Completed Contributions’ menu once finalised
® BPAY and the BPAY logo are registered trademarks of BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518