Superannuation Calculator Australia
Check how much super your employer should be paying you, or work backwards from a total package salary to find your base pay and super split.
Superannuation Guarantee Calculator
How much super your employer must pay you, on top of your salary
Package-Inclusive Salary Splitter
Find your base salary and super when a job ad says “total package inclusive of super”
Formula: base salary = package ÷ 1.12, super = base salary × 0.12. This is the standard method when an advertised salary explicitly says “package” or “inclusive of superannuation” — different from a salary stated as a base rate, where super is paid additionally on top.
How superannuation guarantee is calculated
Three transparent steps based on the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992.
Find your OTE
Ordinary Time Earnings — your base pay plus most allowances and bonuses, excluding overtime.
base pay + allowances
Apply the SG rate
Multiply OTE by the current Superannuation Guarantee rate of 12%, effective 1 July 2025.
OTE × 0.12
Paid in addition
This amount is paid into your super fund on top of your take-home wages, not deducted from them.
wages + super, not wages − super
How much super should I be getting in Australia?
Since 1 July 2025, employers must pay 12% of your Ordinary Time Earnings (OTE) into your nominated super fund. This is the final step of a long phase-up from 9% in 2013, and 12% is now the permanent rate — there are no further legislated increases. Super is paid in addition to your salary, not deducted from it.
The calculation is straightforward once you know your OTE: multiply it by 0.12. The complexity usually comes from working out exactly what counts as OTE in the first place — see the table below.
What counts as Ordinary Time Earnings (OTE)
This is the single biggest source of confusion in super calculations. OTE is not the same as your total gross pay — overtime is specifically excluded, while most other payment types are included.
| Payment type | Included in OTE? |
|---|---|
| Base salary or hourly wages | ✓ Included |
| Shift loading and most allowances | ✓ Included |
| Commission and performance bonuses | ✓ Included |
| Paid annual and personal leave | ✓ Included |
| Leave loading (in most cases) | ✓ Included |
| Overtime payments | ✗ Excluded |
| Reimbursement of expenses | ✗ Excluded |
| Redundancy and unused leave payouts on termination | ✗ Excluded |
This is why someone working a lot of overtime can have a much higher gross pay than their OTE — and their super is calculated on the smaller OTE figure, not their total pay. For the full breakdown with worked examples, read How Much Super Should My Employer Pay?
Total package vs base salary plus super
Job advertisements describe salary in two different ways, and the difference matters a lot:
- “Base salary + super” — super is paid on top. A $90,000 base salary means you actually cost the employer $90,000 × 1.12 = $100,800, and your take-home base remains $90,000.
- “Total package inclusive of super” — the advertised figure already contains super. A $100,000 package means your actual base salary is $100,000 ÷ 1.12 = $89,285.71, with $10,714.29 in super making up the rest.
Use the “Split a package-inclusive salary” tab above to work out exactly which one you’re being offered, and what your real take-home base will be.
Who is entitled to superannuation
Since 1 July 2022, the $450-per-month earnings threshold was abolished — every employee earning any amount of OTE is entitled to super, including casuals. The main eligibility rules now are based on age:
- 18 or over: entitled to super on any OTE, regardless of hours worked.
- Under 18: entitled to super only if working more than 30 hours in a week.
- Contractors paid mainly for labour: may still be entitled to super even if engaged as a “contractor” — the law looks at the substance of the arrangement, not just the label.
What happens if your employer underpays your super
If your employer doesn’t pay the correct super on time, they become liable for the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC) — which includes the unpaid super amount, interest, and an administration fee, and unlike normal super contributions, the SGC is not tax-deductible for the employer. From 1 July 2026, “payday super” rules require super to be paid at the same time as wages rather than quarterly, making underpayment easier to spot and harder to hide.
To check you’re being paid correctly: compare your payslip’s stated OTE against your super fund’s contribution statements. A mismatch over several pay cycles is worth raising with your employer, and if unresolved, with the ATO.
This calculator applies the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 12% rate effective 1 July 2025. Individual entitlements may vary based on specific award provisions, salary sacrifice arrangements, or enterprise agreements that exceed the statutory minimum.
Frequently asked questions
Plain-English answers covering super calculation, eligibility and what to do if you’re underpaid.
How do I calculate my superannuation in Australia?
Multiply your Ordinary Time Earnings (OTE) by the current SG rate of 12% (from 1 July 2025). For example, on $80,000 OTE: $80,000 × 0.12 = $9,600 per year. OTE includes base pay, most allowances and bonuses, but excludes overtime.
How much super should my employer pay?
12% of your Ordinary Time Earnings, effective 1 July 2025. This applies whether you’re full-time, part-time or casual, as long as you’re 18+ or under 18 and working more than 30 hours per week. From 1 July 2026, super must be paid at the same time as wages under payday super rules.
Is superannuation calculated before or after tax?
Before income tax — SG is calculated on gross OTE. The super contribution itself is then taxed at 15% (concessional contributions tax) when it enters your fund, which is generally lower than your marginal income tax rate.
What is included in Ordinary Time Earnings for superannuation?
Base salary, most allowances, commissions, performance bonuses, and paid leave (annual and personal). Overtime is excluded, along with expense reimbursements and termination payouts like unused leave or redundancy pay. See the full table above for a complete breakdown.
How do I calculate superannuation from a total package salary?
Divide the package by 1.12 to find your base salary, then multiply that base by 0.12 for the super component. A $100,000 package: base = $100,000 ÷ 1.12 = $89,285.71, super = $89,285.71 × 0.12 = $10,714.29. Use the “Split a package-inclusive salary” tab above to do this instantly.
Do casual employees get superannuation in Australia?
Yes. Since the $450 monthly threshold was abolished on 1 July 2022, casual employees are entitled to super on the same basis as permanent employees, provided they meet the age requirements and earn OTE.
What happens if my employer doesn’t pay my superannuation?
The employer becomes liable for the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC) — the unpaid super plus interest and an admin fee, none of which is tax-deductible for them. Check your super fund statements against your payslips regularly, and lodge an enquiry with the ATO if you find a shortfall.