1 July 2026
Is your employer complying with new super requirements?
From today (1 July), your employer is required to pay your superannuation contributions…
Not for the first time, a debate about the fundamental purpose of superannuation is underway in Australia – and once again union members are stepping up to defend the super system that we created.
The attack on our super system is coming from both One Nation and the Coalition.
In September, One Nation announced a planto allow 7 million workers to access up to 25% of their superannuation contributions for three years by redirecting it into their take-home pay.
The party is attempting to sell their policy as cost-of-living relief. But those who understand how super works know that this dangerous policy would actually leave Australian workers tens of thousands of dollars worse off in retirement.
And more recently, the Coalition's Shadow Housing Minister Andrew Bragg floated the idea of allowing people to use their super as collateral, or withdraw a sum for a house deposit or to pay off a mortgage.
Temporary super schemes like these have already hurt workers financially.Under the Coalition’s COVID early release super scheme, around 3 million Australians withdrew $38 billion from their retirement savings. Super Members Council analysis found a 30-year-old who took out the maximum $20,000 will retire with roughly $93,600 less.
We asked FSU members who work in the superannuation sector what they thought of these proposals. Here’s what some of them said.
“Pauline Hanson’s super policy sounds like putting more money in your pocket, but it’s really taking money out of your future. Super isn’t spare change for politicians to turn into a short-term election sweetener – it’s retirement money that should compound for decades. If people are struggling to make ends meet, fix wages, housing and the cost of living instead of raiding their retirement savings. This will hurt the very Australians who can least afford to arrive at retirement with less. Don’t trade a secure retirement for a few extra dollars today – keep your hands off our super.”
Lee, FSU member and Workplace Representative“Superannuation for most Australian workers these days is their only chance for a comfortable retirement not living fortnight to fortnight on the age pension. The idea of short-changing your retirement to cover cost-of-living requirements now is so idiotic it’s beyond belief. Instead of suggesting policies that resolve the crises we face today, let's just push the problem till later and let poor people get poorer.”
Michael Byrne, FSU member and Workplace Representative“What I'd like to see from our political parties is a long-term economic strategy that tackles wages, housing, productivity and living costs without asking workers to mortgage their retirement to make today’s numbers look better. We shouldn't have to choose between a decent standard of living today and a dignified retirement tomorrow.”
Ann, FSU member and superannuation workerUnions built Australia’s universal superannuation system to ensure every worker could retire with security and dignity. Today, our system is the envy of the world – and we’re not finished yet.
The union movement will continue to campaign for improvements that strengthen super, protect members’ savings and ensure the system delivers the best possible retirement outcomes for working people.
Since the Albanese Federal Government came to office in 2022, this work has delivered important reforms, including:
If you would like to get more involved in the FSU's campaign to strengthen and protect our superannuation system, please reach out at [email protected].
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