The error originated nine years ago.

Part-time members who worked more than their annual contracted hours from 2011/12 onward are affected.

Bunnings said only superannuation contributions for May or June of the relevant year were affected, in most cases.

It is not yet known how much money the retailer underpaid staff.

Bunnings said it was running a full reconciliation, which would be independently verified.

"We understand the importance of ensuring our team members are paid everything they are entitled to in full and on time - in this case, whilst inadvertent, we haven't, and we are very sorry for that," human resources director Jacqui Coombes said.

"Our focus now is on making sure we complete this reconciliation thoroughly and as quickly as possible, so we can ensure that the superannuation contributions and compensation owing are made to team members' superannuation funds.

"We have also fixed the original error to ensure that this does not happen again."

The Fair Work Ombudsman is aware of the issue.

The Retail Employee Superannuation Trust was also notified.

Ms Coombes encouraged anyone who believed they might be affected to call 1800 800 311 for more information.

Bunnings will be contacting former team members affected by the payroll system code error.

The Fair Work Ombudsman said employees concerned about unpaid superannuation could contact the Australian Taxation Office.

REST said members could get in touch to check the amount of contributions paid to their account.

The self-disclosure from Bunnings came within days of reports Sunglass Hut had underpaid 620 workers.

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