Changes In Award Superannuation - On 1 January 2010 The New Model Awards Will Commence

Generally speaking they contain the standard model superannuation clause, a draft of which was previously published by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. An example is clause 22 in the General Retail Industry Award 2010 (MA000004). The key obligation is set out in clause 22.2, which is simply that the 'employer must make such superannuation contributions to a superannuation fund for the benefit of an employee as will avoid the employer being required to pay the superannuation guarantee charge under superannuation legislation with respect to that employee'.

This will mean a number of significant changes from most current award provisions. These are as follows:

• Superannuation contributions will only need to be made quarterly, to meet SG obligations. This contrasts with most current awards, which require more frequent payment.