Retirement
Unpaid super hits Queensland hard
Queensland workers are losing more than a billion dollars a year due to unpaid superannuation, according to analysis by superannuation provider.
Unpaid super hits Queensland hard
Queensland workers are losing more than a billion dollars a year due to unpaid superannuation, according to analysis by superannuation provider.

New electorate analysis of ATO data by Industry Super Australia showed the average Queensland worker loses $1,994 a year.
According to Industry Super Australia chief executive Bernie Dean, the only way to stop Australians being ripped off with superannuation is by making it payable on payday.
An outdated law only requires super to be paid quarterly and not in line with pay cycles, making it easy for payments slip through the cracks.
Some dodgy bosses don’t pay super at all, despite what it says on payslips. Mandating super payment on payday would make it much harder for dodgy bosses to rip off workers.

“One in three Queensland workers have been ripped off by a dodgy boss and with enforcement sadly lacking, they do so without fear of punishment,” the CEO said.
The hardest hit areas were the federal electorates of Brisbane, Herbert and Dawson, each racking up over $40 million a year in unpaid super.
Occupations worst affected are machinery operators, tradies, construction workers and hospitality workers.
The superannuation providers body found low-income workers were the most vulnerable, with half of those under 30 who earn less than $30,000 having been the victim of a super rip-off.
The difference, according to ISA, could add over time, costing workers sometimes hundreds of thousands, which is the difference between a dignified retirement and scraping by, industry super states.
“Across the state, Queensland workers are losing thousands from having their super stolen, no area is immune. Unpaid super blasts a hole in workers’ savings, making a huge difference to their quality of life in retirement,” Mr Dean concluded.
About the author

About the author


Superannuation
Australia's super performance test transforms investing: What's the next move?
APRA’s latest performance test has done more than name and shame lagging super options; it has rewired investment strategy, compressed fees and accelerated consolidation across the $3Read more

Superannuation
Australia's super test dilemma reform could boost long-term gains while keeping accountability sharp
APRA’s latest performance test results have reignited a structural debate: can Australia hold funds to account while still backing the nation’s long-horizon investment needs? With the government ...Read more

Superannuation
Super funds rethink strategy as APRA's performance test hits a fork in the road
The latest performance test results have reignited debate over Australia’s superannuation benchmarking regime and prompted a formal government review. Behind the headlines, boards are quietly rewiring ...Read more

Superannuation
Aware Super enhances digital tools for financial advisers, boosting efficiency and client engagement
Aware Super has unveiled a suite of new digital features designed to streamline the workflow for financial advisers and their clients. This significant upgrade includes direct data feeds to Xplan and ...Read more

Superannuation
Super funds flip the script as APRA's performance test sparks strategic overhaul
Australia’s performance test has lifted the floor on retirement outcomes—and divided the industry in the process. After early shockwaves, failure rates have fallen and fees have trended down, but ...Read more

Superannuation
Rewiring Australia’s super performance test: from compliance brake to capital engine
Can an accountability tool double as a nation-building lever? Canberra’s review of the superannuation performance test aims to preserve member protection while freeing funds to back long-dated assets ...Read more

Superannuation
Superannuation guarantee rate rises to 12 per cent as parental leave changes take effect
The superannuation guarantee rate has increased from 11.5 per cent to 12 per cent from Tuesday, with super contributions also being added to Commonwealth Parental Leave Pay for the first time. Read more

Superannuation
Rest's Sustainable Growth option achieves highest sustainability classification
Rest superannuation fund has achieved the highest sustainability classification for its Sustainable Growth investment option from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia. Read more

Superannuation
Australia's super performance test transforms investing: What's the next move?
APRA’s latest performance test has done more than name and shame lagging super options; it has rewired investment strategy, compressed fees and accelerated consolidation across the $3Read more

Superannuation
Australia's super test dilemma reform could boost long-term gains while keeping accountability sharp
APRA’s latest performance test results have reignited a structural debate: can Australia hold funds to account while still backing the nation’s long-horizon investment needs? With the government ...Read more

Superannuation
Super funds rethink strategy as APRA's performance test hits a fork in the road
The latest performance test results have reignited debate over Australia’s superannuation benchmarking regime and prompted a formal government review. Behind the headlines, boards are quietly rewiring ...Read more

Superannuation
Aware Super enhances digital tools for financial advisers, boosting efficiency and client engagement
Aware Super has unveiled a suite of new digital features designed to streamline the workflow for financial advisers and their clients. This significant upgrade includes direct data feeds to Xplan and ...Read more

Superannuation
Super funds flip the script as APRA's performance test sparks strategic overhaul
Australia’s performance test has lifted the floor on retirement outcomes—and divided the industry in the process. After early shockwaves, failure rates have fallen and fees have trended down, but ...Read more

Superannuation
Rewiring Australia’s super performance test: from compliance brake to capital engine
Can an accountability tool double as a nation-building lever? Canberra’s review of the superannuation performance test aims to preserve member protection while freeing funds to back long-dated assets ...Read more

Superannuation
Superannuation guarantee rate rises to 12 per cent as parental leave changes take effect
The superannuation guarantee rate has increased from 11.5 per cent to 12 per cent from Tuesday, with super contributions also being added to Commonwealth Parental Leave Pay for the first time. Read more

Superannuation
Rest's Sustainable Growth option achieves highest sustainability classification
Rest superannuation fund has achieved the highest sustainability classification for its Sustainable Growth investment option from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia. Read more