Superannuation for casual and part-time employees

Your employer's obligations when it comes to paying your super contributions can seem confusing, especially if you're working part-time or casual. This article explains what you're entitled to so you can make informed and confident decisions about your career and retirement savings.

Do part-time and casual employees get super?

Yes. Under superannuation guarantee legislation, all employers must pay a minimum of 11.5% super for all eligible staff, whether they're full-time, part-time or casual. This legislation ensures that working Australians are guaranteed to have some level of retirement savings.

How superannuation guarantee contributions work

If you're 18 years or older, you're entitled to the superannuation guarantee, no matter how much you earn or if you’re a casual worker.

If you're under 18 years old, you must work more than 30 hours per week before your employer is obligated to pay you super guarantee contributions.

There are some circumstances in which an employer isn't obligated to pay super contributions, including if you are:

• a non-Australian resident paid for work done outside Australia
• an Australian resident who is paid by a foreign employer for work done outside Australia
• working in Australia temporarily for a foreign employer and are covered by a bilateral social security agreement.

If you're working part-time or casual and you're unsure if you're eligible for super payments, you can use this super guarantee eligibility tool from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to find out.

How are super contributions calculated for part-time and casual workers?

As of 1 July 2024, employers must pay super equal to 11.5% of an eligible employee's earnings (up from 11% in the previous financial year). This applies to ordinary time earnings (OTE), which includes basic wages, shift loadings for work outside regular business hours, and general allowances and bonuses.

Overtime hours, expense allowances, and any reimbursements aren't included in an employer's superannuation obligations. If an employer can't clearly distinguish between your regular and overtime hours, they must pay super on all hours worked.

How do you check if your employer has paid your super contributions?

It's easy to find out whether your employer is paying your superannuation contributions.

• Check your payslip — this should show how much has been paid to your super account and when it was deposited.
• Contact your super fund — check your super account balance and transaction history by logging into your account online or calling your super fund. All employers are required to pay super contributions to eligible employees under Australian employment laws.

NGS Super for part-time and casual employees

Anyone — including part-time and casual workers — can join NGS Super. Our members benefit from access to our competitive fees, award-winning insurance, and sound investment performance thanks to our tailored investment options and expert investment managers.

It's common for part-time and casual workers to have multiple super funds, but it means paying fees for every account held. We can help you consolidate your super balance so you can avoid paying fees on accounts you no longer use.

If you've changed your employer, address or personal details, you may have some lost or unclaimed super. Learn how to find lost super.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to pay super for casual employees?

If you are an employer, you need to pay superannuation for casual employees who are 18 years or older, no matter how much they earn or how many hours a week they work. If your casual employees are younger than 18, they need to have worked more than 30 hours per week to be eligible for the super guarantee.

Do international casual employees get super?

Yes, even if you're a temporary resident, backpacker, or working holiday maker, you are still eligible for the super guarantee if you're aged 18 years or older. If you're under 18, you need to work more than 30 hours a week to be eligible. These rules also apply for casual or part-time employees who are domestic or private workers, e.g. if you're a family member working privately or earn an income as a nanny or paid carer.

What is the minimum employee super contribution?

Under the law, an employer needs to pay a minimum amount equivalent to 11.5% of the employee's ordinary time earnings (OTE). The amount of super an employer pays their casual employee is calculated in the same way it is for permanent staff. If a casual worker meets the criteria, then their employer must pay super into the worker’s super fund at least once a quarter. Since 1 July 2022, even if an employee earns an income of less than $450 a month, they can still qualify for the super guarantee as the old exemption no longer applies.

For further information on your super obligations as an employer, read our Employer guide.

What if an employee doesn't know their super details?

Since 1 November 2021, if a new employee doesn't know or provide their super details, their employer must check if they have a stapled super fund by using the ATO online search tool. For full details, read our article about stapling.