From 1 July 2026, the way employers pay super is set to change.

The Federal Government has announced that superannuation contributions will need to be paid at the same time as wages, rather than quarterly. This reform, known as Payday Super, means super becomes part of every pay run.

Limited exceptions may apply in certain circumstances; however, most employers will be required to comply from the commencement date.

If you run a cabinetmaking, joinery, design or manufacturing business, this is something you will need to plan for.

What this means for your business:

• Super must be paid each pay cycle
• Quarterly super payments will no longer apply
• Payroll systems must be compliant and able to process same day super
• Late payments will trigger penalties more quickly
• Errors will be identified much earlier

What you should be doing now:

• Speak with your bookkeeper or payroll provider
• Confirm your payroll software can manage same-day super payments
• Review cash flow to accommodate more frequent payments
• Check that super is being calculated correctly on ordinary time earnings
• Ensure employee fund details are accurate and up to date

Getting this right early will reduce risk and avoid potential penalties

MEMBER RESOURCES AVAILABLE

ACFA has Superannuation Fact Sheets available in the Member Portal for ACFA x KBDi Members to help you understand your obligations and prepare your business:

Some Resources require an ACFA or KBDi membership to access

Make your voice count today and help influence how apprenticeships are delivered in NSW through the next phase of reforms. The Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 (A&T Act) Review is a critical step towards refreshing the apprenticeship and traineeship system.

What will the A&T Act Review focus on?

The review is about modernising the law, so apprenticeships and traineeships are high quality, accessible and future ready. It is guided by five reform directions:

1. Strengthening protections and safeguards
   Improving safety, quality and consistency across the system.
   
2. Making responsibilities clearer for employers and training providers
   Setting clearer expectations so apprentices and trainees get the support they need to succeed.
   
3. Giving learners more flexible training options
   Reflecting how people live, work and learn today, with more flexible pathways.
   
4. Supporting learner progress and successful outcomes
   Streamlining processes, reducing barriers to progression, and strengthening supports to keep learners engaged and finishing.
   
5. Modernising and simplifying the system
   Cutting complexity, improving digital access, and lifting overall performance so the framework is easier to navigate.

NSW is reviewing the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act. If you employ or train apprentices, your insights matter. There are two ways to contribute:

• Complete the consultation paper and response form by 17 October 2025.
• Complete an anonymous survey for apprentices, trainees, training organisations and employers by 31 October 2025.

On Friday 10 May 2024, WHS ministers agreed to 2 sets of amendments to the model WHS Regulations, which will help protect workers from silicosis caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

These amendments give effect to the engineered stone ban from 1 July 2024 and provide further regulation of all materials containing crystalline silica from 1 September 2024.

The first set of amendments to the model WHS Regulations includes 2 new national frameworks relating to the implementation of the engineered stone ban, one for notifying a WHS regulator about permitted work with legacy engineered stone and the other for applications for exemptions for certain types of engineered stone, from 1 July 2024.

The second set of amendments will give effect to stronger regulation of all materials containing crystalline silica, from 1 September 2024.

Individual jurisdictions must make the amendments within their respective work health and safety laws to implement the ban in their jurisdiction from 1 July 2024 and the stronger regulation of all materials containing crystalline silica from 1 September 2024.

Western Australia and South Australia will have transitional arrangements in place from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024. Queensland and Victoria will not have a transitional period for the ban, with all other jurisdictions yet to confirm. For an outline of timelines, an overview of jurisdictional transitional arrangements, links to jurisdiction-specific resources, and frequently asked questions, please click the link below to the Safe Work Australia engineered stone ban website:

Safework Australia are also currently developing guidance to support PCBUs understand how the amendments to the model WHS Regulations will affect them. It is expected this guidance will be released by Safework Australia in early June 2024 to assist PCBUs and workers understand and comply with the engineered stone ban, ahead of the 1 July 2024 implementation.

To read the full details of the communique from the WHS ministers meeting click the link below:

ACFA will continue to keep the industry updated in relation to the ban on engineered stone and will continue to raise our industry challenges through representation on the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Work Health and Safety Committee and Silica Reference groups.

If you haven’t already done so, ACFA would encourage you to speak with your supplier on alternative options as more options continue to become available that may suit your business or customers. 

ACFA Members

ACFA members, can contact our workplace advice team for assistance in relation to employment matters which may impact your business.

Members can also view and download resources from the ACFA Member Portal WHS/ Crystalline Silica Tab – please remember to enter your username and password to be able to access the member only resources

Please contact our workplace advice team either by email at membership@acf.net.au or phone our toll-free number on 1300 342 248.