Super for Casual and Part-Time Workers
Casual and part-time work sometimes comes with a nagging worry that you're missing out on entitlements full-time employees get automatically. When it comes to superannuation, the rules are largely the same regardless of how many hours you work.
The key rule: you're entitled to super regardless of employment type
Casual, part-time, and full-time employees are all generally entitled to Super Guarantee contributions from their employer, calculated as a percentage of ordinary time earnings — see The Super Guarantee Explained for the current rate and mechanics. The old rule excluding employees earning under a set monthly amount from super entitlements has been removed, closing a gap that used to particularly affect casual and part-time workers with multiple small jobs.
What to check on your payslip
Your payslip should show super contributions being accrued against your ordinary earnings for that pay period. If you have several casual jobs at once, check each employer separately — each is independently responsible for paying SG on the earnings you receive from them, regardless of what your other employers are doing.
Multiple jobs, multiple funds
If you haven't actively chosen a fund with a particular employer, contributions from that job may default into a separate fund, meaning you could end up with several open accounts across different casual roles. This is a common way people accumulate multiple, forgotten super accounts — see How to Consolidate Multiple Super Accounts for how to bring them together.
What if you're under 18?
Younger workers under 18 are generally also entitled to super, though a minimum weekly hours threshold can apply for very young part-time or casual workers specifically. It's worth checking the current rule for your specific age and hours if this applies to you.
What to do if you think you're missing entitlements
Compare your payslips against your fund's contribution history (visible in your fund's app, or via the ATO's online services through myGov). If contributions look missing or incorrect across a reasonable period, raise it with your employer first, and report it to the ATO if it isn't resolved.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get super if I'm paid cash-in-hand?
You're generally still entitled to super regardless of how you're paid, provided you're legally an employee — being paid cash doesn't remove the employer's obligation, though it can make it harder to track and enforce.
Does super apply to contractors as well as employees?
Sometimes — some contractors, particularly those paid mainly for their labour, can be deemed employees for super purposes even if they're not employees for other purposes. It's worth checking your specific arrangement.
Can I choose which fund my casual job pays into?
In almost all cases, yes — you can nominate your preferred fund to each employer, rather than accepting whatever default fund they'd otherwise use.
Super Guarantee rules, thresholds and rates can change — confirm current details on ato.gov.au before publishing. This article contains general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs, and does not constitute a recommendation to acquire, hold, or dispose of any financial product. Before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness to your own circumstances, and seek independent financial, tax and/or legal advice, or speak with a licensed financial adviser, before making any decision.
