Retirement
Victoria’s stolen super adds up to $1.4bn a year
A superannuation group has flagged how more than 800,000 Victorians – or one in three workers – have not received their legal super entitlement, with the value each year up around $1.4 billion.
Victoria’s stolen super adds up to $1.4bn a year
A superannuation group has flagged how more than 800,000 Victorians – or one in three workers – have not received their legal super entitlement, with the value each year up around $1.4 billion.

New analysis of ATO data by Industry Super Australia (ISA) has unveiled the scope of unpaid super in Victoria, calling it a “scandal”.
On average, it said the state’s workers are ripped off about $1,750 per year.
“This money, which workers are legally entitled to, can be the difference between a dignified retirement and one just scraping by,” ISA outlined.
It noted that while most employers do the right thing and pay employees their full entitlement, some are exploiting “legal loopholes and lax enforcement to shortchange workers”.

An outdated law means super is only required to be paid quarterly and not in line with pay cycles.
This makes it easy for payments to fall through the cracks.
ISA said that “some dodgy bosses don’t pay super at all, despite what it says on payslips”.
Holding onto workers’ super also allows unscrupulous employers to undercut their competitors who are doing the right thing, creating an unfair playing field and making it harder for good businesses to grow, the organisation outlined.
It condemned the ATO for shirking its responsibilities, saying that the government body “rarely fines directors who rip workers off” despite having the authority to do so.
The ISA also argued that the best way to end Victoria’s unpaid super shame is for the federal government to mandate all employers pay super at the same time as wages.
ISA deputy chief executive Matt Linden reiterated the call, noting “the only way to put this $1.4 billion super rip-off to an end is for the federal government to make super payable on payday”.
He said the Victorian government can add its voice to fix this problem once and for all.
“Across the state, almost a third of Victorian workers are having their super stolen, no area is immune,” he continued.
Mr Linden said, “Unpaid super blasts a hole in workers’ savings, making a huge difference to their quality of life in retirement.”
“With such little enforcement action taken against those responsible for the unpaid super scandal, it is time for Victoria’s federal and state politicians to act,” he concluded.
About the author

About the author


Superannuation
Industry leaders weigh in on concessional super tax as Budget confirms $55bn investment
Changes to the taxation of superannuation earnings and contributions have drawn mixed responses from financial and payroll sector leaders, as the Federal Budget confirms over $55 billion in ...Read more

Superannuation
Call for indexation on super tax cap as $3m threshold draws criticism
A senior executive in the superannuation technology sector has criticised the Federal Government for failing to index the proposed $3 million superannuation tax cap, arguing the measure will unfairly ...Read more

Superannuation
Rest members back calls for fairer superannuation rules ahead of Federal Budget
Rest has called on the Federal Government to implement superannuation reforms aimed at improving fairness across the system, after member survey results showed strong support for a range of proposed ...Read more

Superannuation
Rest welcomes progress on ‘Payday Super’ reform
Rest, one of Australia’s largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has welcomed the Australian Government’s release of draft ‘Payday Super’ legislation, which aims to align Superannuation ...Read more

Superannuation
SuperAPI and Humanforce partner to improve superannuation compliance for one million Australians
Superannuation engagement platform SuperAPI has partnered with human capital management provider Humanforce to streamline payroll and superannuation contributions for more than one million Australian ...Read more

Superannuation
Rest super fund reports 11.19 per cent return for 2024
Rest superannuation fund delivered an 11.19 per cent return in its MySuper Growth investment option for calendar year 2024, marking two consecutive years of positive returns. Read more

Superannuation
Actuaries propose three-tier superannuation tax reform
The Actuaries Institute has outlined major reforms to Australia's $4.1 trillion superannuation system, proposing uniform tax rates and new levies on high retirement withdrawals. Read more

Superannuation
Survey reveals Australians' reliance on superannuation for retirement
A new survey by AustralianSuper has found that only 32% of Australians believe they could save for retirement without compulsory superannuation. Read more

Superannuation
Industry leaders weigh in on concessional super tax as Budget confirms $55bn investment
Changes to the taxation of superannuation earnings and contributions have drawn mixed responses from financial and payroll sector leaders, as the Federal Budget confirms over $55 billion in ...Read more

Superannuation
Call for indexation on super tax cap as $3m threshold draws criticism
A senior executive in the superannuation technology sector has criticised the Federal Government for failing to index the proposed $3 million superannuation tax cap, arguing the measure will unfairly ...Read more

Superannuation
Rest members back calls for fairer superannuation rules ahead of Federal Budget
Rest has called on the Federal Government to implement superannuation reforms aimed at improving fairness across the system, after member survey results showed strong support for a range of proposed ...Read more

Superannuation
Rest welcomes progress on ‘Payday Super’ reform
Rest, one of Australia’s largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has welcomed the Australian Government’s release of draft ‘Payday Super’ legislation, which aims to align Superannuation ...Read more

Superannuation
SuperAPI and Humanforce partner to improve superannuation compliance for one million Australians
Superannuation engagement platform SuperAPI has partnered with human capital management provider Humanforce to streamline payroll and superannuation contributions for more than one million Australian ...Read more

Superannuation
Rest super fund reports 11.19 per cent return for 2024
Rest superannuation fund delivered an 11.19 per cent return in its MySuper Growth investment option for calendar year 2024, marking two consecutive years of positive returns. Read more

Superannuation
Actuaries propose three-tier superannuation tax reform
The Actuaries Institute has outlined major reforms to Australia's $4.1 trillion superannuation system, proposing uniform tax rates and new levies on high retirement withdrawals. Read more

Superannuation
Survey reveals Australians' reliance on superannuation for retirement
A new survey by AustralianSuper has found that only 32% of Australians believe they could save for retirement without compulsory superannuation. Read more