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Most Aussies don't know the super guarantee rate

Updated on 18 June 2025

5 min read

New data shows 81% of Australians don't know the super guarantee (SG) rate

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4 in 5 Aussies don’t know the SG rate

We partnered with YouGov to survey over 1,000 Aussies about their super knowledge and habits. And what we found out about the SG rate was surprising:

  • 81% of Australians don't know off the top of their heads what the super guarantee rate is, compared to 71% in 2022. The super guarantee rate is currently 11.5%.
  • 2 in 5 (41%) think it's still between 9% and 11%.
  • 3 in 10 people (28%) were unsure of the exact percentage.

When did the super guarantee rate increase?

The SG rate has been rising every year since 2021. It'll reach 12% on 1 July, 2025. This is the last rate increase the Government has scheduled for now.

Super guarantee rate increases over the years

Date SG rate
1 July 2021 10.00%
1 July 2022 10.50%
1 July 2023 11.00%
1 July 2024 11.50%
1 July 2025 12.00%
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High income earners more likely to know the SG rate

People with a household income of more than $150,000 a year were the most likely to know the SG rate (32%), compared to 15% with a household income of less than $50,000.


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Gender differences

Women tended to be more unsure about the current super rate than men (33% of women were unsure, compared to 23% of men). Nonetheless, men were only 2% more likely to correctly guess the SG rate.

In the data, we saw women were:

  • Less likely to see super as one of their biggest financial assets (61%, compared to 74% of men)

  • Less confident about managing their super investments (53% of women were confident, compared to 70% of men).

These differences reflect some of the extra challenges women tend to face when it comes to super. On average, women retire with less super than men. Learn more about the gender pay gap and the gender super gap.


How to get the most out of your super

Here're some simple steps you can take today that could make a big difference down the track.

  1. Check your super fund's investment performance and fees are still right for you.

  2. Log in to your account and see how you're super's invested. Our inner investor quiz can help you find an investment strategy that works for you.

  3. Regularly check that your employer is paying you the right amount of super.

  4. Use our contributions calculator to see if it's worth it for you to add extra money to your super on top of what your employer pays you.

  5. If you're paying for accounts with more than one super fund, you could combine them to pay only one set of fees.

Before you combine your super, think about:

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Insurance

You'll need to consider what insurance cover you currently have with your existing fund/s. You should understand what impacts there could be to your benefits before you combine your super with us. Make sure you organise your insurance cover through us before you cancel any insurance you have with other fund/s.

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Timing

Consider whether you might be combining your super at a time that locks in an investment loss in your old fund.

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Tax

If you've made after-tax contributions with other super funds and intend to claim a tax deduction, you'll need to sort out paperwork with them before you close any accounts. There could also be other tax implications that may affect you.

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Other impacts

Check if you'll lose access to pensions or other benefits before you consolidate.

You should consider getting qualified financial advice before combining your super.

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What's the best super fund?

Choose the right fund for you

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When we talk about beneficiaries, we mean who gets your super when you die. Super's generally not part of your Will. So we'll take a look at the different types of beneficiaries, why it's so important, and what you need to do.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov. Total sample size was 1002 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3rd - 8th October 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian adults aged 18+ not retired with superannuation. At time of the survey, the superannuation guarantee was 11.50%. The information shown above is based on the survey results and may not reflect your individual or financial circumstances. Consider speaking to a qualified financial adviser before making a decision.