Superannuation
A superannuation contribution is defined as a wage.
The legislation includes a definition of a superannuation contribution as money paid or payable by an employer in respect of an employee:
a) to or as a superannuation fund within the meaning of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 of the Commonwealth, or
b) as a superannuation guarantee charge with in the meaning of the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 of the Commonwealth, or
c) to or as, any other form of superannuation, provident or retirement fund or scheme including. Superannuation Holding Account Special Account, a retirement savings account and a wholly or partly unfunded fund or scheme.
All superannuation payments made by an employer as a superannuation contribution are liable, including salary sacrifice arrangements and lump sums paid on behalf of a class of employees. Superannuation payments made to contractors retained under a relevant contract are also taxable as wages.
If the employees of a business elect to contribute money into a fund administered by the employer out of their own PAYG post tax pay then these payments are not liable as they are not employer contributions to the fund.
