Read time: 3 min
Published, Thursday 22 October 2026
By Steven Groves

 

Victorian employers have an important WorkCover date coming up on Friday 23 October 2026. Employers with more than $200,000 in annual rateable remuneration generally need to certify their actual 2025–26 remuneration to WorkSafe by that date. It is also a practical time to confirm that Payday Super payments are consistently reaching employee funds within seven business days of payday.

This checklist covers Victorian WorkCover reporting and federal superannuation obligations. If you employ people in other states or territories, check the workers compensation requirements that apply in each jurisdiction.

Prepare for the 23 October WorkCover deadline

WorkSafe lists Friday 23 October 2026 as the due date for large employers to certify their 2025–26 remuneration. Small employers, generally those with annual rateable remuneration of $200,000 or less, have until Friday 19 March 2027. The due date stated in your renewal pack is the date to follow, so confirm it with your WorkSafe agent if you are unsure.

Rateable remuneration includes more than salaries and wages. Superannuation, bonuses, commissions, fringe benefits and certain contractor payments may also need to be included. Reconcile your payroll and accounting records, then use WorkSafe’s remuneration guidance to check inclusions and exemptions.

Submit the Declaration of rateable remuneration through WorkSafe’s Online Employer Services and keep the confirmation with your supporting records. If someone else prepares the declaration, confirm who will review and submit it before the deadline.

If remuneration is not certified, or is certified incorrectly, penalties may apply. Start the reconciliation early enough to resolve differences rather than relying on an unreconciled payroll total.

Review your Payday Super payment process

Since 1 July 2026, super guarantee payments have followed each payday rather than the former quarterly cycle. Generally, contributions must reach the employee’s super fund within seven business days of payday. Different timeframes apply in some circumstances. For example, the first contribution for a new employee, or to a new fund, has 20 business days. Check the ATO guidance or speak with your accountant if you are unsure.

With the first quarter of the new cycle complete, review whether your payroll provider or clearing house is allowing enough processing time. Authorising a payment does not, by itself, confirm that the employee’s fund has received it.

Check recent pay runs and payment confirmations. Investigate rejected or returned contributions promptly, as a rejection does not extend the seven-business day deadline. Confirm employee fund details are current and assign someone to follow up exceptions before the next pay cycle.

Check your employee’s super fund details

Since 1 July 2026, employers have been required to submit a member verification request before making a first-time super guarantee contribution to a fund, where their payroll software or clearing house supports it. The fund confirms whether the details match an active account that can accept the contribution, which gives you time to resolve any issues before the payment is due.

Submit a verification request before contributing to a fund for the first time, where employee information has changed, such as a name, and where a contribution has previously been rejected. These requests are not a way to check details before every routine contribution. Following this process is what prevents most rejections, so confirm that your payroll system is submitting the requests.

If a payment is late or missing, speak with your accountant promptly about correcting it and any reporting or superannuation guarantee charge obligations. Keep the payment records and correspondence together so the issue can be traced and resolved.

Your October employer checklist

  • Check your renewal pack for your WorkCover certification due date: Friday 23 October 2026 for large employers or Friday 19 March 2027 for small employers.
  • Reconcile actual 2025–26 rateable remuneration and review inclusions and exemptions.
  • Record who will review and submit the WorkCover declaration before the due date.
  • Check recent super payments against pay runs, including receipt by employee funds.
  • Investigate rejected, returned or late contributions and assign any follow-up.
  • Confirm your payroll system submits member verification requests before first-time contributions to a fund.

Need help before Friday 23 October?

Speak with your accountant if you need help preparing your WorkCover remuneration declaration or checking Payday Super payments. Bring your payroll records, payment confirmations and WorkCover renewal pack so the discussion can focus on what remains to be completed. You can also book a time with the Factor1 team.

 

For general information only, and this communication does not constitute advice. Requirements depend on your circumstances and the applicable law. Dates and requirements are current at the date of publication and may change. Speak with your accountant before acting.