Super for Queensland teachers: ART, the 12.75% rate and salary sacrifice

Super is one of the quieter parts of a Queensland teacher's deal, but it adds up. The Department of Education pays into Australian Retirement Trust (ART), the fund formed when QSuper and Sunsuper merged, unless you nominate another fund. The QTU's guide to the 2022 certified agreement puts the employer contribution at 12.75%, paid whether or not you put in 5% yourself.

That 12.75% figure comes from a 2022 union source and we couldn't re-check it on a current Department or ART page, so confirm it on your payslip. This page covers how much goes in at each pay level, the closed defined benefit scheme, the 2026-27 caps and what salary sacrifice really costs you.

Employer super at every QLD pay step

How much the Department pays into your super

At 12.75%, employer super on the current salary schedule (from 1 September 2026) works out roughly as below. The Queensland pay scale shows every step; multiply your salary by 0.1275 to check your own figure. Since Payday Super began on 1 July 2026, contributions must reach your fund with each fortnightly pay rather than quarterly (see our Payday Super guide).

Australian Retirement Trust, QSuper and the old defined benefit fund

• Default fund: Australian Retirement Trust, through its QSuper product for Queensland government employees. You can choose another fund instead.
• Defined benefit: the QSuper defined benefit fund is closed to new members. If you joined years ago you may still be in it; its benefit is based on salary and service, not just an account balance. Check your annual statement before changing anything.
• Switching funds: if you choose another fund you may give up any arrangement tied to the QSuper product, and insurance cover usually doesn't follow you. Compare fees and cover first.
• Catholic and independent schools: these employers set their own default fund under their agreement, and may pay only the 12% Superannuation Guarantee. See Catholic school teacher pay in Queensland.

Caps and thresholds for 2026-27

The concessional cap counts everything before tax: the Department's contribution plus anything you salary sacrifice. At Band 3 Step 4, 12.75% employer super is about $15,218, which leaves roughly $17,282 of room for salary sacrifice in 2026-27. If your total super balance was under $500,000 on 30 June 2026, unused cap from earlier years may also be available (the carry-forward rule; check your figure in myGov).

What salary sacrifice really costs a Queensland teacher

The saving comes from the gap between your marginal rate (32% including Medicare on most of the classroom scale) and the 15% contributions tax. The money is locked away until preservation age (60 for anyone retiring now), so only sacrifice what you won't need for a house deposit or emergencies. Our salary sacrifice guide covers the trade-offs.

Super while you're on parental leave

For babies born or adopted from 1 July 2025, the ATO pays 12% super on government Parental Leave Pay straight into your fund as an annual lump sum. You don't need to claim it. Whether the Department keeps paying super during unpaid parental leave depends on the agreement and directives, so ask payroll before you go. See Queensland teacher parental leave.