The government should change anti-discrimination laws to allow employers to contribute more money to the superannuation accounts of women, according to a report by the key body representing Australia's superannuation sector.

The report by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), which will presented at its conference in Melbourne on Thursday, said while some funds had got an exemption to contribute more, it was not widespread practice.

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick.

Rice Warner got an exemption from Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick to contribute an extra two per cent of salary in superannuation contributions for their female employees over and above what they contribute for their male employees. But under current laws not everyone had permission to give their female workers more.

Apart from the proposal to change antidiscrimination law, the report also suggests removing the $450-a-month threshold for the Superannuation Guarantee (SG). This would mean that thousands of part-time and casual workers – the majority of which are women – who currently do not qualify for payments due to not earning $450 per month, would now be eligible.