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An outdated law only requires super to be paid quarterly and not in line with pay cycles, making it easy for payments slip through the cracks.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.
RELATED ARTICLES
About the author
About the author
Superannuation
Payday super legislation promises fairer retirement for part-time and casual workers
In a landmark development for the Australian workforce, the recently passed Payday Super legislation is set to transform the retirement landscape for countless part-time and casual workersRead more
Superannuation
Payday Super passes as Employment Hero, OZEDI and Zepto unite to help small businesses meet new seven-day payment rule
With the Payday Superannuation Bill officially passing through Parliament, Australian businesses are now less than eight months away from a major shift in how superannuation contributions are made — ...Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super appoints Simon Warner as Chief Investment Officer
Aware Super has announced the appointment of Simon Warner as Chief Investment Officer, effective 1 December 2025, following a competitive global search to replace outgoing CIO Damian Graham, who ...Read more
Superannuation
Employers call for pragmatic safeguards to ensure Payday Super reform succeeds
Employment Hero chief executive Ben Thompson has urged the federal government to introduce a phased rollout and reciprocal safeguards to support small businesses as the Payday Super reform approaches ...Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super elevates tech leadership with strategic appointment of Richard Exton
Aware Super, one of Australia's largest industry super funds, has announced a pivotal appointment to its executive team, underscoring the growing importance of technology, data, and artificial ...Read more
Superannuation
Rest appoints Marina Pasika as interim head of private markets
Rest, one of Australia's largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has announced the appointment of Marina Pasika as the Interim Head of Private Markets. This decision comes as the fund embarks ...Read more
Superannuation
Payday Super bill introduces new challenges for SMBs, reveals Employment Hero CEO
The introduction of the Payday Super bill to the Australian Parliament has sparked a significant response from the business community, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)Read more
Superannuation
Rest urges Parliament to expedite payday super legislation
In a significant move towards enhancing retirement outcomes for Australian workers, Rest, one of the country's largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has expressed strong support for the ...Read more
Superannuation
Payday super legislation promises fairer retirement for part-time and casual workers
In a landmark development for the Australian workforce, the recently passed Payday Super legislation is set to transform the retirement landscape for countless part-time and casual workersRead more
Superannuation
Payday Super passes as Employment Hero, OZEDI and Zepto unite to help small businesses meet new seven-day payment rule
With the Payday Superannuation Bill officially passing through Parliament, Australian businesses are now less than eight months away from a major shift in how superannuation contributions are made — ...Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super appoints Simon Warner as Chief Investment Officer
Aware Super has announced the appointment of Simon Warner as Chief Investment Officer, effective 1 December 2025, following a competitive global search to replace outgoing CIO Damian Graham, who ...Read more
Superannuation
Employers call for pragmatic safeguards to ensure Payday Super reform succeeds
Employment Hero chief executive Ben Thompson has urged the federal government to introduce a phased rollout and reciprocal safeguards to support small businesses as the Payday Super reform approaches ...Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super elevates tech leadership with strategic appointment of Richard Exton
Aware Super, one of Australia's largest industry super funds, has announced a pivotal appointment to its executive team, underscoring the growing importance of technology, data, and artificial ...Read more
Superannuation
Rest appoints Marina Pasika as interim head of private markets
Rest, one of Australia's largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has announced the appointment of Marina Pasika as the Interim Head of Private Markets. This decision comes as the fund embarks ...Read more
Superannuation
Payday Super bill introduces new challenges for SMBs, reveals Employment Hero CEO
The introduction of the Payday Super bill to the Australian Parliament has sparked a significant response from the business community, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)Read more
Superannuation
Rest urges Parliament to expedite payday super legislation
In a significant move towards enhancing retirement outcomes for Australian workers, Rest, one of the country's largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has expressed strong support for the ...Read more
