5min read
A practical guide for nurses and midwives conducting casual, travel or contract work in Australia, including what changes from 1 July 2026 under the new payday super rules.
If you’ve worked across multiple agencies, hospitals or states, your super may be harder to track than the average nurse’s.
This guide covers:
- How super works when you are a travel nurse or midwife
- What you’re entitled to
- What changes from 1 July 2026
- What to do if your super has gone missing
How superannuation works for agency and travel nurses
The Superannuation Guarantee (SG) is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, paid by your employer on top of your wages.
Ordinary time earnings (OTE) is what you earn for your ordinary hours of work, and your super is calculated on it. For nurses, OTE includes your base rate, casual loading, and any shift loadings or penalty rates paid for ordinary hours, like night, weekend or public holiday shifts. Overtime payments are excluded.
The agency calculates your super, pays it to your nominated fund, and reports it through Single Touch Payroll.
Do casual and agency nurses get superannuation?
Yes, all employees are entitled to super regardless of how much they earn or whether they work full-time, part-time or casual.
When does my agency pay my super?
Right now, employers must pay your super by the 28th day after the end of each quarter. From 1 July 2026 that changes. Under the new payday super rules, employers must pay your super at the same time as your wages, with contributions reaching your fund within 7 business days of payday.
Affinity by choice pays nurses and midwives their superannuation monthly, which means your contributions can start earning returns sooner, compared to other agencies that pay only at the legally required minimum.
What changes from 1 July 2026 under payday super?
Three things change:
- Super shifts from a quarterly cycle to a payday cycle. Contributions must reach your fund within 7 business days of each payday.
- The penalty system changes. Late or missed payments attract interest and additional charges, making it more expensive for employers to fall behind.
- The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House closes on 30 June 2026, so smaller employers need to find new ways to remit super.
For nurses moving between contracts, the practical effect is that problems become visible faster. Under quarterly rules, you might not notice missing super for months. Under payday super, a missed payment shows up within days.
RN Keely on contract in Tasmania
How to perform a 2 minute super check
- Check your super has been paid for every contract.
You can check through your super fund app, myGov linked to the ATO, or your fund’s contribution history. Compare what’s been paid against your payslips. If something looks missing, don’t assume it’ll show up later. - Check how many super funds you have.
If you’ve worked across multiple agencies, chances are you’ve collected more than one super fund. Extra accounts cost money through admin fees, duplicate insurance premiums, and balances that get harder to track over time.
What should I do if my super hasn’t been paid?
- Check your payslips. Super should appear as a separate line item for each pay period.
- Check your super fund contribution history. Under quarterly rules, payments could take weeks to appear. From 1 July 2026, super should usually appear within days of payday.
- Contact the payroll department in writing. Include the pay periods affected, the expected super amounts, and copies of the relevant payslips. Written records help if you need to escalate later.
- Report unpaid super to the ATO. If the issue isn’t resolved, you can lodge a report with the ATO, which has formal enforcement powers to recover unpaid super.
How Affinity handles your super
The legal minimum for super contributions is quarterly, which is when most agencies pay it. Affinity has paid monthly for years, which means your contributions land in your fund sooner and start earning returns sooner. From 1 July 2026 Affinity will pay your super weekly, at the same time as your wages.
Frequently asked questions on super for nurses and midwives
Yes. Travel nurses employed through an agency are entitled to super at the same rate as any other private sector employee.
Nurses receive 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid by your employer on top of your wages. The rate is the same for nurses, midwives and all other private sector employees.
Yes. International nurses and midwives working in Australia are usually entitled to superannuation if they are employees, regardless of visa status.
Yes. Casual, contract and full-time nurses and midwives can usually make extra super contributions through salary sacrifice or personal contributions to help grow their retirement savings and potentially reduce tax.
From 1 July 2026, contributions should usually appear within days of payday.
Many nurses do, to reduce fees and avoid duplicate insurance costs. Before consolidating, check what insurance cover is attached to each account so you don’t lose anything you’d struggle to replace.
You can search for lost or unclaimed super through myGov if it is linked to the ATO. This is a great idea for travel nurses who have worked across more than one agencies or state.
We don’t recommend specific funds. The right one depends on fees, investment options, insurance, and how active you want to be. The ATO’s YourSuper comparison tool compares MySuper products side by side.
Personal after-tax super contributions can be claimed as a tax deduction if you submit a notice of intent to claim form to your super fund within the required timeframe and it’s confirmed by the fund. For the full list of what agency nurses can claim at tax time, see our (tax deduction checklist for nurses and midwives)
Build your future with an agency that puts nurses first
Whether you’re picking up casual shifts, taking travel contracts or working full-time placements, your superannuation is an important part of your long-term financial wellbeing. Small differences like how often your super is paid, how easy payroll is to deal with, and how consistently your contributions are handled can add up over time.
From superannuation timing to competitive contract packages, Affinity has built a reputation as a leader in nursing and midwifery benefits. We know the small details matter, which is why we focus on reliable payroll, earlier super payments and ongoing support designed to help you build long-term financial security. As part of the Affinity community, you can feel confident knowing your professional and personal goals are in good hands while doing the work you love.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute personal financial advice. For current rules and guidance, visit the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and ASIC MoneySmart. For advice specific to your circumstances, speak with a licensed financial adviser.
Not an agency nurse or midwife with Affinity yet? Click here to join Australia’s leading travel contract agency.
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