Superannuation in Australia is a legislated way of forced savings for future funds. It means that we will have money available to us when we retire rather than rely on government assistance. However, as a contractor this is not something that happens automatically. It’s important for contractors to be aware of the differences between superannuation for employees and superannuation for themselves.
When you were an employee
If you are/were an employee, superannuation will make sure you have enough money when you retire. You generally won’t have to think about it too much, all you do is choose your super fund and hand the details to your employer to pay into. You may make some choices with your super fund as to how the payments are allocated and invested to maximise their future return, but on the most part it is a very easy process.
Your employer will put away about 10% of your pay into a superannuation fund on your behalf. This contribution has been set to rise to 12% by 2019. Employers are obligated to make contributions on your behalf, they are required by law to do so. Speak to your employer, or if you are an employer to ensure that the correct contributions are being made.
Contractor superannuation
If you work for yourself as a contractor, you are responsible for taking care of your superannuation. It pays to do a little research and check which superannuation fund will give you the most return for your dollar. The money in your fund should grow over time and you can still opt to make additional payments to boost the amount.
Many industries also have associated super funds which help people performing your work. However, do take note that even if you are a contractor, the person hiring you may still be required to make payments to your super fund if you meet the criteria for an employee. If you have any questions regarding this it is best to visit the ATO website.
As a contractor, if you employee anyone (such as an apprentice) you are responsible for meeting superannuation requirements for them. It’s important to understand your obligations as an employer to pay superannuation to your employees. Ensure you keep records of contributions and remember that there can be severe penalties for not meeting minimum requirements.
Superannuation can be complex at times so it is still important to speak to the ATO to make sure you are meeting all obligations, including providing your employees with access to information and resources.
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