The Australian Council of Trade Unions pays tribute to the union pioneers and architects of industry superannuation but especially the tens of thousands of building workers who campaigned for superannuation and in so doing so, created the beachhead that turned super into a universal right for all working Australians. This week marks 40 years since the ACTU’s historic decision to endorse the campaign of the Building Workers’ Industrial Union (BWIU) to establish a national superannuation scheme in the Australian building industry, a campaign that improved the nation forever.

In February 1984, the ACTU and building unions endorsed the visionary plan of the BWIU to campaign to create a superannuation scheme where employer contributions were paid to all building workers, preserved until retirement, responsibly invested to deliver the best possible returns for members while improving their working lives, and where lump sums were paid to workers and their families if the worker became permanently disabled or died prior to retirement.

Superannuation was once the privilege of few, applying to less than 1 in 4 women and blue-collar workers.

The introduction of superannuation in the building industry, was a critical step along the way for the introduction of universal superannuation legislation eight years later by the Hawke and Keating Labor Governments.

Without the foresight and leadership of unionists like Bill Kelty, Mavis Robertson, Garry Weaven and Tom McDonald Australia would not have the world-class retirement income system we enjoy today.

Our Super Guarantee rate will increase to 11.5% on 1st July 2024

Period                                                     Super Guarantee (%)

1 July 2002 – 30 June 2013                    9.00

1 July 2013 – 30 June 2014                    9.25

1 July 2014 – 30 June 2015                    9.50

1 July 2015 – 30 June 2016                    9.50

1 July 2016 – 30 June 2017                    9.50

1 July 2017 – 30 June 2018                    9.50

1 July 2018 – 30 June 2019                    9.50

1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020                    9.50

1 July 2020 – 30 June 2021                    9.50

1 July 2021 – 30 June 2022                    10.00

1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023                    10.50

1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024                    11.00

1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025                    11.50

1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026                    12.00