Super Guarantee Calculator Australia 2026-27
Use this super guarantee calculator Australia to see exactly how much your employer must pay into your super in 2026–27 — and how much room the $32,500 cap leaves for salary sacrifice.
Last updated: July 2026 · Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 · Moneysmart (ASIC) · FY 2026–27
Got your number? Two things worth checking next
→ The caps that limit what goes in — every 2026–27 contribution cap and threshold in one table. → Your take-home pay — what lands in your account after tax; super never reduces it.What is the Super Guarantee?
The super guarantee (SG) is the minimum superannuation your employer is legally required to pay: 12% of your qualifying earnings, on top of your wage. It applies to full-time, part-time and casual employees alike, and since 1 July 2026 it must arrive in your fund at the same time as your salary — the old quarterly deadline is gone, which makes missing super visible within weeks instead of months.
“Qualifying earnings” broadly means the pay for your ordinary hours — including most allowances, bonuses and paid leave, but generally not overtime. The exact list is published by the ATO. There’s also a ceiling: above the maximum contributions base of $270,830 a year (2026–27), the law stops requiring the 12%, so the compulsory maximum is $32,499.60 — anything beyond that is a matter for your contract.
The 12% is also the floor, not the ceiling, of what can go into super tax-effectively. Everything your employer pays counts toward your $32,500 concessional cap, and whatever’s left is your salary-sacrifice headroom — before-tax contributions taxed at 15% in the fund instead of your marginal rate. That gap is the single most useful number this calculator gives you.
How the Calculation Works
| Component | 2026–27 Value | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Super guarantee rate | 12% | Of qualifying earnings, paid each payday |
| Maximum contributions base | $270,830/yr | Salary above this doesn’t require SG |
| Concessional cap | $32,500/yr | SG + salary sacrifice + deductible contributions |
| Contributions tax | 15% | Taken inside the fund (30% over $250,000 income) |
Worked example: on $85,000 the SG is $10,200 a year ($850/month), leaving $22,300 of concessional headroom. On $300,000 the base caps compulsory super at $32,499.60.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is super paid on overtime?
Generally no. The 12% applies to qualifying earnings — your ordinary hours of work plus most loadings, allowances and paid leave. Genuine overtime hours usually sit outside it. If your pay is mostly overtime, your super will look smaller relative to your gross than a 9-to-5 colleague’s — that’s the rule, not an employer error.
How do I check my employer is actually paying?
The payslip line alone isn’t proof — the money has to reach your fund. Check your super fund’s app or your myGov account (linked to the ATO) against what this calculator says you should be getting. Since payday super started on 1 July 2026, contributions should appear within days of each payday, so a missing month is now a red flag worth raising immediately — first with payroll, then with the ATO.
Does salary sacrifice count toward the $32,500 cap?
Yes. The concessional cap covers the total of employer super guarantee, salary sacrifice, and any personal contributions you claim a deduction for. That’s exactly why the calculator shows headroom: sacrifice more than the gap and you may face extra tax on the excess.
What if I go over the cap?
Excess concessional contributions are added back to your taxable income and taxed at your marginal rate (with a credit for the 15% already taken). If you haven’t used your full cap in recent years, unused amounts can sometimes be carried forward and absorb the excess — check your available carry-forward in your myGov account before assuming you’ve breached.
Also in Australia:
📋 Rates verified — Official sources: Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 · Moneysmart (ASIC) — Super contributions
⚠️ This is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. KnowMyGovt is an independent service with no affiliation with or endorsement by the ATO, ASIC or the Australian Government, and is not responsible for decisions you make based on it.
