ISSUES WE FIGHT FOR
Superannuation
All workers have the right to a dignified retirement, and that means having enough retirement income to rely on.
We work to ensure Australian workers have a dignified retirement
Each year, we recover hundreds of thousands of dollars in underpayments to members including superannuation entitlements.
The United Workers Union, together with other unions, was instrumental in developing Australia’s compulsory superannuation system that began in 1992.
Our work combating wage theft and ensuring members get their full entitlements, includes making sure our members get their super contributions.
What unions have won for workers
Thanks to unions, every worker now receives the 12% Superannuation Guarantee. Since July 2025, it is compulsory for employers to pay at least 12% superannuation. This is a long-term win that unions have been campaigning for, so workers can have better retirement outcomes.
From July 2026, employers must pay super into your fund at the same time as they pay your wages. Your super fund must receive your super contributions from your employer within 7 days of your payday. This change makes it harder for employers to underpay super entitlements to their staff.
Unions campaigned for paid super on Parental Leave and now it’s legislated – a huge win for workers and for women!
From July 2025, workers on government-funded Parental Leave receive 12% superannuation, paid by the ATO (not the employer). This makes it harder for employers to underpay workers’ super entitlements. It also provides security for people receiving government-funded Parental Leave, who are predominantly women. Women still retire on average with far less super than men. Super payments during career gaps help close the gender super gap.
Are you getting you super payments? Employers who intentionally do not pay superannuation are committing wage theft. Thanks to new laws that took effect in early 2025, intentionally failing to pay super (at least 12%) is now a criminal offence with serious penalties like fines and imprisonment.
Industry fund that directly support UWU members include:
- Australian Super: The fund for those who work in cleaning, security, manufacturing, logistics, food and beverage, farms, call centres, market research and allied industries. Learn more
- Hesta: The fund for workers in the health and community services sector. Learn more
- Hostplus: The fund for workers in the hospitality, tourism, recreation and sport industries. Learn more
For more information about Super funds, go to Industry Super Australia
Australia still has a long way to go to ensure our superannuation system provides a proper safety net for workers when we retire, particularly low-income earners, women, disadvantaged and vulnerable people, people living with disabilities and renters.
That’s why UWU fights for members’ superannuation entitlements.
