Super doesn't have to be complicated

We're here to help you and keep super simple now and into the future, so you can focus on your business.

All Australian businesses have responsibilities when it comes to superannuation. Even if you just have one or two employees.

Paying super
Giving employees’ choice of super fund
Deciding on your businesses’ super fund of choice
Knowing when and how to make payments
Keeping up with legislation and super changes.

Paying super - Superannuation Guarantee

Generally, the current superannuation contribution rate under Superannuation Guarantee legislation, is 9.5% of ordinary time earnings (OTE).

The amount an employer must pay may be different if there's an Industrial or Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) or Award.
Employees for tax and super purposes include apprentices, trainees and some contractor arrangements. For more details visit the ATO.

At Cbus, we ask employers to make monthly contribution payments. It's important that Cbus members receive regular super payments so the money can be allocated to their account and investment earnings can begin as soon as possible.

Employers may be obliged to make contributions more frequently due to industrial obligations.

Find out more about when to pay super and tax and superannuation.

Choice of super fund

When a new employee is eligible to choose their own super fund, you need to provide them with a Standard choice form (PDF) within 28 days from their start date.

If your new employee doesn’t want to choose a fund, you must pay their contributions to your nominated 'default' fund.

Choosing your super fund of choice

Your super fund of choice (default fund) is the super fund your business nominates as the best fit to take care of the superannuation needs for all your employees.

It’s important to choose a fund that acts in the best interests of your business, and your employees.

By nominating Cbus as your default fund, you’ll join the leading national super fund for your industry. View the benefits Cbus offers to your business and your employees.

When to make payments

We keep things easy for your business with monthly payment periods and due dates. Find out when Cbus payments are due.

How to make payments

Whatever the size of your business, our online payment options make paying super simple. Find out what your payment options are.

Keeping up with legislation and super changes

Single Touch Payroll

Single Touch Payroll (STP) is the new way for you to report wages, PAYG withholding and super information to the ATO. Instead of waiting until the end of the financial year, your employees' payroll information is reported at each payroll using a compliant payroll platform.

The ATO may provide exemptions from STP reporting for eligible employers. Read more about STP on the ATO website.

STP applies to all employers from 1 July 2019.

Large employers (20+ employees)	Small employers (5-19 employees)	Micro employers (1-4 employees)
Employers with more than 20 employers should already be reporting through Single Touch Payroll.	Small employers need to start reporting through STP any time from 1 July to 30 September 2019. The ATO may grant deferrals to small employers who request additional time to start STP reporting.	The ATO will help micro employers with transitioning to STP and have offered alternative options– such as allowing employers who rely on a registered tax or BAS agent to report quarterly until 30 June 2021, rather than each time payroll is run. A number of no-cost and low-cost Single Touch Payroll solutions are now available for micro employers.

Find out more about what you need to do to be ready for STP.

We’ll continue to update you on information as it is released by the ATO.

Getting ready for a better employer experience

In the new year, we will be updating the online super experience to provide employers with better functionality and additional features that will make it easier to administer employee super.

All Employer Super Site and Cbus Clearing House users will be transitioned over to the new Employer Portal experience. Existing Cbus employers are encouraged to keep an eye on their inbox and make sure their details are up to date so that they are able to receive further information and support regarding the changes as they become available.

Keeping your records

As an employer, you need to keep the following records in English for at least five years:

records showing the choice form has been provided to all eligible employees
details of employees who do not have to be offered a choice form
documents issued by the super fund showing you have made superannuation contributions to an employee's chosen fund
records confirming that your employer nominated fund is a complying fund.

Tax file numbers

It's important to provide employee tax file numbers. When an employee provides you with their Tax File Number (TFN), by law you’re required to provide this information to their super fund.

If a TFN is not provided, your employee will be unable to make personal contributions and they may pay more tax on their super.

If a member chooses not to supply their TFN, the contributions you make for them will be taxed at the top marginal rate of 45% plus the Medicare levy of 2%.

You can provide us with a new employee TFN within 14 days or when making the first contribution on their behalf.

For more information visit the ATO website or call 13 10 20.