- Forecast contributions, track them regularly, and use a dedicated reserve account to keep funds safe.
- Automating payments and prioritising expenses reduces mistakes, stress, and last-minute scrambling.
- Explore professional advice and short-term financing when needed to stay compliant, avoid penalties, and maintain cash flow.
Paying super can feel like a juggling act, especially when cash flow is tight. But with the right approach, you don’t have to scramble for funds every time. From forecasting to automation to short-term funding, these 7 tips will help you manage your quarterly (and soon-to-be payday) super obligations, keep your business running smoothly, and sleep a little easier.
Forecast your super obligations
Knowing what’s coming means it won’t sneak up on you. The key is to map it out before quarter-end so there are no surprises.
- Break it down by employee and pay period. Calculate how much super you need to pay quarterly to each team member. Even small amounts add up, so clarity here is everything.
- Use tools to make things simpler. You don’t have to do all the maths yourself. Free calculators from the ATO or even your accounting software can make it all a lot easier (and error-free).
- Look ahead. Forecasting isn’t just about compliance; it’s about protecting your cash flow. So, take time to scan the numbers and spot any months when you might need extra breathing room. This way, you can adjust spending or line up a buffer if needed.
Even if you’re currently paying quarterly, it’s a good idea to start tracking super regularly and preparing for the new payday super schedule starting July 1 [1], so you’ll be ready to adapt without stress.
Automate super payments
We are all human, and mistakes happen, but when it comes to super contributions and deadlines, one small slip-up can end up costing you. With automation, there’s no guesswork. You don’t have to rely on memory, spreadsheets, or last-minute scrambling – it’s all calculated and scheduled for you automatically.
This way:
- The right amount is allocated for every employee, every time
- Payments are scheduled to hit the ATO exactly when they’re due
- You have more free time to focus on running your business, rather than reconciling spreadsheets
- You can spot shortfalls early before they become urgent
Prioritise payments strategically
When cash flow is tight, what you pay and when you pay it can make a big difference. Now, super is a non-negotiable obligation. It’s not something you can put on the back burner and pay whenever you have some extra money.
The best course of action here is to set aside the super portion as soon as you pay wages. This isn’t “available cash” for other bills (even if the due date is weeks away!), but a buffer that stops you panicking at quarter-end.
Having said that, there are certain flexible expenses you may be able to delay. Supplier invoices that can be negotiated. Subscriptions that can be paused. Non-essential costs that can wait.
Strategic prioritisation means spotting shortfalls before the due dates and gives you a chance to act now, whether by tightening cash flow, chasing outstanding invoices, or arranging short-term funding.
Not to mention, it prevents costly penalties like that Super Guarantee Charge, interest, and admin fees that a late payment can trigger.
Create a “super reserve” account
We’ve already suggested setting aside the super portion as soon as wages go out. While you can do that in your brain, we say take it one step further and create a dedicated account just for upcoming contributions.
Having this reserve gives you sleep-easy certainty that you won’t accidentally overspend or dip into the funds for other expenses. Plus, when you pair it with automated payments and accurate forecasting, you’ve got a nearly foolproof system for hitting all your super deadlines.
Explore legal support options
Looming super payments that you’re not sure you can cover can feel overwhelming. And while there are steps you can take within your business, there’s also professional help available.
An accountant, business advisor, or employment lawyer can help by:
- Clarifying exactly what you have to pay and when, so you can prioritise payments without accidentally breaching the law
- Guide you on how to ask ATO for extensions, in case you genuinely can’t pay super on time
- Avoiding you being held personally responsible for unpaid super as the director
- Creating a sustainable path forward that allows you to continue paying staff super on time while keeping the business afloat
Track your obligations regularly
Even with forecasting, reserves, and automation in place, things can still slip through the cracks if you only check super obligations quarterly. That’s why we recommend tracking them monthly (or even fortnightly) to stay ahead of problems before they escalate.
And what do we mean by “tracking”? It’s quite simple: compare what’s owed against what’s been set aside in your reserve account or scheduled for automated payment, and make sure it all adds up.
If you catch a potential gap, you have time to adjust cash flow or secure funding, which brings us to our last tip…
Consider short-term financing solutions
Sometimes, cash flow just doesn’t line up with super due dates, and that’s where business finance can help. Short-term loans, lines of credit, or invoice financing can bridge the gap when timing is tight, giving you immediate access to funds to cover super payments.
As a result, you can:
- Avoid compounding costs you’d face if a deadline is missed
- Maintain team trust and protect your business reputation
- Stay compliant with the law
- Give yourself breathing room for cash flow without cutting corners elsewhere
Sound like the support you need? Valiant can help. Our platform compares loans from 90+ lenders to find one that fits your situation. We manage the paperwork, handle the application, and help get your funding sorted, so you can focus on running your business, not stressing over super. Get a quote today.
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