Superannuation — super — is money your employer pays into a retirement fund for you, on top of your wages. When you're 16 or a first-year apprentice, retirement feels about a hundred years away, so most people ignore super completely. That's a mistake. Super started early, even at apprentice wages, has decades to grow, and unpaid or lost super is one of the most common ways workers quietly get ripped off. Getting it sorted now takes an afternoon and pays off for the rest of your life.
This guide explains what super is, how it works for apprentices, how to check you're actually getting it, and the simple decisions that make a big difference over time. It's general information, not personal financial advice — for that, talk to a licensed adviser or your fund.
What super actually is
Super is a long-term savings system designed so that Australians have money to live on when they retire and stop working. Your employer is legally required to pay a set percentage of your ordinary earnings into a super fund for you. This is called the superannuation guarantee, and the percentage is set by the government and has been gradually increasing over the years.
The key thing: super is paid on top of your wage, not taken out of it. It's not a deduction — it's extra money that belongs to you, just locked away until retirement (with some limited exceptions). You can see the current rate and rules at the ATO's site, ato.gov.au.
Do apprentices get super?
Yes. If you're an employee — which apprentices are — your employer must pay super for you as long as you meet the standard eligibility rules. There used to be a minimum monthly earnings threshold, but that has been removed for most workers, so even part-time and casual apprentices are generally covered.
There are still some conditions around age and the type of work if you're under 18, so if you're a school-based apprentice working limited hours, check the current rules at ato.gov.au. But for the typical full-time apprentice, super is definitely owed to you.
Choosing a super fund
In most cases you can choose which fund your super goes into. If you don't choose, your employer will either put it into your existing "stapled" fund (one already linked to you from a past job) or a default fund. Picking one that suits you is worth the effort.
A few things to look at when comparing funds:
- Fees — lower fees mean more of your money stays invested. Small percentage differences add up hugely over decades.
- Insurance — many funds include default life and income-protection insurance, which you may or may not need at your stage.
- Investment options — how your money is invested affects long-term returns.
- Performance — the government publishes comparisons; look at long-term results, not one good year.
The ATO and the government's YourSuper comparison tool can help you compare. Whatever you pick, tell your employer the fund's details so your super goes to the right place.
The one thing that costs apprentices the most: multiple accounts
Here's a trap that catches a lot of young workers. Every time you start a job and let the employer open a "default" account, you can end up with several super accounts. Each one charges fees and may charge for insurance, quietly eating your balance across multiple funds.
The fix is simple: pick one fund and take it with you from job to job. When you change employers, just give them your existing fund details. If you already have several accounts, you can consolidate them into one through your myGov account linked to the ATO — it usually takes a few minutes. One account, one set of fees, more money for you.
How to check your super is being paid
Employers are supposed to pay super at least quarterly, though many pay it more often. Because it doesn't hit your bank account, it's easy for problems to go unnoticed. Check it regularly:
- Step 1: Look at your payslip. It should show the super amount and, ideally, the fund it's going to. See How to Read Your Payslip.
- Step 2: Log into your super fund online or via its app and confirm the money is actually arriving.
- Step 3: Cross-check through your myGov account linked to the ATO, which tracks super paid on your behalf.
- Step 4: Compare the amount against the current guarantee percentage of your gross ordinary earnings.
If your payslip says super is being paid but it's not showing up in the fund, that's a red flag — the two should match.
What to do if your super isn't being paid
Unpaid super is more common than it should be. If you find a gap, first raise it with your employer or payroll — sometimes it's a timing or admin issue. Keep your payslips as evidence.
If it's genuinely not being paid, you can report it to the ATO, which has the power to chase up unpaid super guarantee amounts. This sits alongside your broader pay entitlements — if other things are off too, read What to Do if You're Being Underpaid and your rights as an apprentice.
Small extra contributions, big long-term payoff
You don't have to just take the compulsory amount. Even small voluntary contributions early on can grow a lot over 40+ years thanks to compounding. Some low-income workers also qualify for government co-contributions when they add a bit themselves — check ato.gov.au to see if that's you.
You don't need to do this on apprentice wages, and paying down debt or building a buffer often comes first. But knowing the option exists means you can make the call for yourself later. If money is tight generally, Government Payments and Support for Apprentices covers other help available.
Key takeaways
- Super is money your employer pays for your retirement on top of your wage — it's not a deduction.
- Apprentices are generally entitled to super, including part-time and casual, now that the old earnings threshold is largely gone.
- You can usually choose your fund — compare fees, insurance, investments and long-term performance.
- Avoid multiple accounts; keep one fund across jobs and consolidate any extras through myGov to save on fees.
- Check your super is actually landing in your fund via your payslip, the fund's app, and your myGov/ATO record.
- Unpaid super can be reported to the ATO — keep your payslips as evidence.
- This is general info, not personal advice — see a licensed adviser for decisions about your money.