Payroll won't cover payday: what to do tonight

Of all the things that can go wrong after hours, this is the one owners lose the most sleep over. Your team is relying on their pay. You’re relying on your team. And it’s Sunday night, the account doesn’t add up, and nobody at the bank is answering. Here’s how to take control of the next few hours.

How big is the gap, really?

Start with a number, not a feeling. For this pay run, add up:

Item	Where to find it
Net wages for every employee	Your payroll software’s pay run draft
PAYG withholding	Same report
Super for this pay run	Same report — now due each payday
Any other deductions you pay on (e.g. salary packaging)	Payroll report
Total needed
Minus: cleared funds available on payday	Internet banking
Minus: customer payments you’re genuinely sure of	Aged receivables
The real gap

The super line matters more than it used to. Under Payday Super, which began on 1 July 2026, the ATO says a contribution is on time if it’s received by the employee’s fund within 7 business days after paying the employee. Weekends and whole-of-state or territory public holidays don’t count as business days. That gives super a short window after payday, but it’s now part of every pay cycle’s cash need.

When does the money actually need to be there?

Often earlier than payday. If you pay by uploading a payroll file, your bank may need it by a cut-off on the business day before payday for staff to be paid on time. Check your bank’s cut-off tonight, and see our page on bank cut-off times for how batch payments work.

If payday is Monday or falls after a public holiday, that cut-off might be Friday — already gone. In that case, the alternatives are individual fast payments (if you have the funds) or a short delay, handled openly.

Know your number? Send your enquiry now so it’s read as soon as the day starts. There’s no credit check when you first enquire.

What can you do before morning?

1. Send the enquiry with the exact gap, the payday and a sentence on why it’s happened — a late customer, a slow month, a big one-off cost.
2. Download six months of bank statements. For unsecured options sized on turnover and statements, they’re essential. See bank statements.
3. Move money you already have. Funds in another account at a different bank can often be moved by fast payment at night, subject to limits.
4. Chase what’s owed. A polite email to customers with overdue invoices costs nothing and sometimes brings a payment forward.
5. Draft a message to your team — to send only if needed.

How should you talk to staff if pay might be late?

Early, honestly and in person if you can. Employees are entitled to be paid on time under their award, agreement or contract, and the Fair Work Ombudsman has detailed guidance on pay obligations. If there’s any risk of a delay, get advice and tell your team before payday rather than after:

• What’s happened, briefly and without blame.
• What you’re doing to fix it.
• When they’ll be paid, and when you’ll update them.

A day’s notice and a clear plan preserve far more trust than a silent missed payment.

What funding might fit a payroll gap?

It depends on the size of the gap, how long it will last and what security there is:

• Smaller, short gaps for trading businesses: unsecured and cash-flow options, typically $5,000 to $500,000 and sized on turnover and statements. Same-day funding is possible for smaller amounts once the working day starts.
• Larger or recurring gaps with property: a property-secured loan or facility; $20k to $250k is possible the same day with a complete file.
• Gaps that recur every month: a line of credit may suit better than a one-off loan, so it’s there next time.

If public holidays are adding to wage costs, our public holiday wages guide shows how to plan ahead.

Illustrative example: Sunday 9pm, Tuesday payday

Illustrative example only.

A hospitality group running two small venues in Melbourne pays staff on Tuesdays. On Sunday night the owner sees that a large function client hasn’t paid, and the account is short for Tuesday’s pay run. She calculates the full gap including super, checks that her bank needs the payroll file by Monday afternoon, and enquires at 9.30pm. She downloads statements from both venues’ accounts and emails the function client a friendly reminder.

On Monday morning a specialist calls, and because the statements are ready, they talk through a short-term unsecured option sized on the venues’ turnover. The file is complete by late morning and funds land in time for the Monday afternoon payroll cut-off.

Your team gets paid; you get some sleep

A payroll gap is stressful precisely because it’s about people. The best thing you can do tonight is turn it into a number, a plan and an enquiry that’s waiting when the day begins.

It takes about 60 seconds, and no credit check happens when you enquire. Your details won’t be farmed out to other lenders; one team works on the payroll gap and a real person calls you. Please be accurate with the amount and the payday so we can find the right fit fast. See if you qualify tonight. To map the hours between now and payday, try Your next 24 hours.