Every self-employed tradie I’ve met has one thing in common:
They’re working their guts out today, and leaving their future wide open.
You’ve got jobs to quote, bills to pay, tools to fix, and staff to manage. There’s barely enough time to eat, let alone think about something as distant as retirement.
But there’s one thing that keeps getting ignored, and it’s a big one: SUPER.
If you’re not paying yourself super, you’re not just missing out, you’re setting yourself up for stress later.
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What You’re Missing Without Super
Here’s a quick comparison:
An employee earning $80,000 a year gets 11.5% of that paid into their super. That’s $9,200 annually going to $9,600 12% from 1 July 2025.
A self-employed tradie earning the same gets nothing, unless they contribute it themselves.
Over 30 years, with 7% average returns, the employee could retire with around $850,000 from super alone. The tradie who does nothing? Zero.
That’s a massive gap and it keeps growing the longer you wait.
“I’ll Sort It Later” Is a Trap
Most tradies have a super account, they just don’t use it.
Why? Because super feels like something you’ll fix “one day.”
But the longer you wait, the worse it gets.
You lose time, and time is what makes money grow.
Why Tradies Need Super More Than Anyone
Tradie work isn’t just tough, it’s physical.
You’re on your feet, in the sun, in the rain, lifting, digging, and getting it done.
And here’s what you don’t get:
- Sick leave
- Holiday pay
- Redundancy payouts
So when your body slows down or something unexpected happens, you need something solid to fall back on.
That’s what super gives you, options.
It lets you slow down, take breaks, or even change direction, without stressing about money.
Super Is a Tax Hack Too
Most self-employed tradies pay 32.5% (or more) in tax.
But super contributions are only taxed at 15%.
That means:
If you contribute $1,000, you save $175 in tax.
If you contribute $5,000, you save $875.
If you contribute $10,000, you save $1,750.
Not only are you saving for retirement, you’re also paying less tax right now.
Doing Nothing Has a High Cost
Let’s say you’re 35 and earn $70,000 a year.
If you don’t contribute to super, you might retire with a few tools, a paid-off van, and not much else.
But if you put in just $5,000 a year ($416 per month), you could have around $470,000 saved by the time you’re 67.
That’s nearly half a million dollars, just from being consistent.
How to Start Without Breaking Your Wallet
You don’t need to throw in thousands.
Here’s how to ease into it:
- Start with $50/week
That’s $2,600/year. Easy to start, easy to build on.
- Set auto transfers
Treat it like fuel or tools, something your business can’t run without.
- Use your BAS or tax refund
Got a refund? Put a slice into super, it’ll reduce your tax bill too.
- Think quarterly
If weekly is too hard, do it every 3 months, after a big job, before the money disappears.
- Track your contributions
A simple spreadsheet is enough. Seeing growth keeps you motivated.
When You’re Steady, Consider an SMSF
If you’re consistent and your super grows to around $200,000, you can look at setting up a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF).
What that looks like:
- You and your partner combine your super
- You use it to buy an investment property
- The rent goes into your super fund
- It’s taxed at only 15%
When sold during retirement? Zero tax on gains
This puts you in control of your future, but only do it once you’re consistent with basic super contributions.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to earn millions to build wealth.
You just need to:
- Start now
- Stay consistent
- Treat super like a business essential
Every week you contribute is a week your future becomes stronger.
Every week you don’t? The gap gets wider.
What to Do Next
- Work out what you can comfortably put into super
- Set it up like any other recurring expense
- Keep it going, even during the quiet periods
- Once you’re consistent, consider whether an SMSF is worth exploring
No stress. No perfect number. Just start, stay consistent, and build from there.
Want Help Getting Started?
You’ve built your business with your own two hands.
Now let’s help you build your future.
If you’re not sure where to start or how to set up the right super plan, we’re here to guide you. No pressure. Just a clear way forward that works for your income and lifestyle.
Because you’ve worked too hard to retire broke.
Written by Charmain Hughes
