Australian construction average ~$80-95k for direct labour
2. How often do you pay wages?
3. How do you currently set aside super?
Most honest answer wins. "Paid from operating cash" = the quarterly super hit comes out of whatever's in the account that day.
4. Tell us your current cash buffer
Working capital available right now — exclude project trust accounts
YOUR PAYDAY SUPER IMPACT
Buffer status
⚠ TIGHT — your buffer covers 2.4 weeks of post-1-July payroll
You should aim for 4 weeks of post-1-July payroll as a working buffer.
Total annual payroll
$850,000
10 employees × $85,000
Annual super @ 12% (from 1 July 2026)
$102,000
Rate increases from 11.5% to 12% on 1 July 2026
Per-cycle super under Payday Super
$3,923
Every pay run, due within 7 days
Hidden float disappearing
$25,500
Avg "borrowed" super sitting in your operating account today
Cash-out timing — Before vs After 1 July 2026
Before: Wages every fortnight, super lumped quarterly. The quarterly spike was the cash crunch — but between super payments, you had a float to play with.
After (1 July 2026): Every pay cycle now carries both wages and super. No more spike, but no more float either.
Recommended buffer (4 weeks payroll + super)
$73,231
Standard CFO benchmark for construction
Buffer gap vs recommended
$0
You're at or above the recommended buffer
How the calculator works:
Total annual payroll = employees × average annual gross wage.
Annual super uses the 12% rate that applies from 1 July 2026 (up from 11.5%).
Hidden float estimate assumes builders who "pay from operating cash" had on average half a quarter's super sitting in the operating account at any one time.
"Partially set aside" assumes 50% of that float.
Recommended buffer = 4 weeks of (annualised payroll + annualised super) ÷ 13.
This is a directional model, not a substitute for a project-by-project cash flow forecast — for that, request the 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast template or book a strategy call.
Want the matching 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast template?
The same Excel template I use with my construction clients — pre-loaded with realistic example data, 87 working formulas, GST-inclusive, builders' edition. Free.
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