FAQs

AustralianSuper Select is a super product that features a tailored insurance arrangement negotiated by an employer for a specific group of employees.

To find out whether you’re eligible to join AustralianSuper Select, speak to your employer or refer to the AustralianSuper fact sheet for your employer.

Employees who aren’t eligible to join AustralianSuper Select may be set up with a new AustralianSuper Plan account that also includes insurance cover. AustralianSuper Plan is our largest division, open to most types of employees.

Permanent employees:

If you joined your employer before 1 November 2021 as a permanent employee and your super was paid to your employer’s previous default fund, generally all future super payments will be made to AustralianSuper Select.

If you’re unsure if this applies to you, or if you joined your employer on or after 1 November 2021, contact your payroll department to confirm what you need to do if you’d like to join AustralianSuper.

If you’ve previously chosen your super fund, your super will continue to be paid to that super fund unless you choose to have your super paid to an AustralianSuper Select account or another super fund by notifying your employer.

Casual and contract employees:

If you’re a casual or contract* employee with super paid into your employer’s previous default fund, and you were employed by your current employer before 1 November 2021, your super will generally be paid into AustralianSuper Plan (our largest division and open to most types of employees), unless you choose another fund.

If you’re unsure if this applies to you or if you joined your employer on or after 1 November 2021, contact your payroll department to confirm what you need to do if you’d like to join AustralianSuper.

If you’ve previously chosen your super fund, your super will continue to be paid to that super fund unless you choose to have your super paid into an AustralianSuper Plan account or another super fund by notifying your employer.

*Check with your employer to see if you’re eligible to join AustralianSuper Select. Subject to the arrangement between AustralianSuper and your employer, casual and contract employees may be eligible to join AustralianSuper Select.

Whether you joined AustralianSuper Select or AustralianSuper Plan, you get the same benefits that all AustralianSuper members enjoy, such as:

• a history of strong, long-term performance**
• access to a global investment portfolio
• a super fund run only to profit members
• flexible insurance options.

AustralianSuper Select is only available through selected employers, and offers tailored, flexible insurance cover to suit your needs.

As a new member, your super account with either AustralianSuper Select or AustralianSuper Plan is set up automatically.

Your welcome pack contains information about:

• nominating your beneficiaries,
• your insurance options (including starting your basic cover, tailoring your cover, transferring cover or changing your individual work rating),
• making an investment choice(s), and
• how you can combine your other superannuation fund/s with your new super account⁺.

**AustralianSuper Balanced investment option compared to the SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey - SR50 Balanced (60–76) Index to 30 June 2023. Investment returns are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Returns from equivalent investment options of the ARF and STA super funds are used for periods before 1 July 2006.

⁺Before making a decision to combine your super, consider any fees or charges that may apply, and the effect a transfer may have on benefits in your other fund such as insurance cover. We recommend you consider seeking financial advice.

If you’re an existing AustralianSuper member and your employer already pays super into your nominated AustralianSuper account, your employer will continue to pay your super into that super account.

Your employer will advise us if you’re eligible to join AustralianSuper Select. We’ll then write to you separately about your option to transfer your existing AustralianSuper account to AustralianSuper Select. The communication explains what happens to your insurance and how it may change if you transfer your AustralianSuper account to AustralianSuper Select. We won’t automatically transfer your AustralianSuper account to AustralianSuper Select. You need to elect to opt in to join AustralianSuper Select, if you decide it’s right for you.

• If your super is paid into the previous default fund, and you were employed by your current employer before 1 November 2021, and you’re eligible to join AustralianSuper Select*, you’ll automatically have a new AustralianSuper Select account set up for you, unless you tell your payroll otherwise. If your super is paid to another super fund (not the previous default fund and not AustralianSuper), nothing will change. However, if you decide joining AustralianSuper Select is right for you, simply complete the ATO Superannuation standard choice form and return it to your payroll.


• If you started working with your employer on or after 1 November 2021, you can choose to have an AustralianSuper Select account set up for you (opt-in), otherwise your super will continue to be paid to your existing super account. This includes your employer’s default fund or any other super fund you’ve chosen or have been ‘stapled’ to by the ATO. If you want to opt-in to AustralianSuper Select or another super fund, you need to complete an ATO Superannuation standard choice form and send it to your payroll.


• If you’re a casual or contract* employee with super paid into the previous default fund, and you’ve been employed by your current employer before 1 November 2021, your super will be paid into AustralianSuper Plan (our largest division and open to most types of employees), unless you choose another fund.


• If you’re a casual or contract* employee and you started working with your employer on or after 1 November 2021, you can choose to have an AustralianSuper Plan account set up for you, otherwise your super will continue to be paid to your existing super account. This includes your employer’s default fund or any other super fund you have chosen or have been ‘stapled’ to by the ATO. If you want to opt-in to AustralianSuper Plan or another super fund, you need to complete an ATO Superannuation standard choice form and send it to your payroll.

*Check your fact sheet or speak with your employer to see if you’re eligible to join AustralianSuper Select. Depending on the arrangement between AustralianSuper and your employer, casual and contract employees may also be eligible to join AustralianSuper Select.

No, but it’s a good idea to contact your other super fund to check if there are any other fees and charges, or information you should know about the effect of closing your account may have on your benefits, such as insurance cover with your other super fund.

New employees of an AustralianSuper Select employer

You may be eligible to join Select and to receive basic insurance cover** arranged by your Select employer once all eligibility requirements have been met. Your employer may have specific insurance arrangements based on your employment type, for example if you’re a permanent employee or a casual or part time employee.

To find out more about your employer’s basic cover arrangements, check your fact sheet and/or the AustralianSuper Select booklet for your employer under the 'Insurance' tab on the AustralianSuper microsite set up for your employer or visit australiansuper.com/select

Existing employees of an AustralianSuper Select employer

As an existing employee of an AustralianSuper Select employer, you may be eligible to join AustralianSuper Select and be provided with the basic insurance cover arranged by your employer once all eligibility criteria have been met.

Your employer may have insurance arrangements based on your employment type, for example if you’re a permanent employee or a casual or part time employee.

To find out more about your employer’s basic cover arrangements, check your fact sheet and/or the AustralianSuper Select booklet for your employer under the 'Insurance' tab on the AustralianSuper microsite set up for your employer or visit australiansuper.com/select

If you don’t know where to find your microsite, ask your payroll department.

Limited cover* conditions may apply.

*Limited cover means you don’t have full cover and you won’t be covered for any pre-existing illnesses or injuries you had before you got your cover. Limited cover may last for different lengths of time and applies to all cover types, including Death cover. You’ll be covered for an illness that becomes apparent, or an injury that occurs on or after the date that your cover starts, restarts or increases.

**AustralianSuper insurance is provided by TAL Life Limited (the Insurer) ABN 70 050 109 450, AFSL 237848. 

If you’re an existing member who’s eligible to join AustralianSuper Select, we’ll write to you about your options.

I’m a new permanent employee who started working for my employer after the Select transition

You’ll automatically have your existing (non-Select) AustralianSuper account transferred into a new AustralianSuper Select account, unless you decide to ‘opt-out’ within 30 days from the date on the letter we send you, by completing and returning the Keep my existing account form that comes with it.

If you only have basic cover in your existing (non-Select) AustralianSuper account, you’ll receive the AustralianSuper Select basic cover arranged by your employer. If you have cover other than basic cover in your existing (non-Select) AustralianSuper account – that is you have age-based plus extra (fixed) cover OR total fixed cover, OR multiples of age-based cover – you’ll receive the AustralianSuper Select basic cover arranged by your employer, plus the total amount of your existing cover will be added as extra (fixed) cover.

You’ll find details about your Select cover, the cost of your cover and who pays for it under the 'Insurance' tab on the AustralianSuper microsite set up for your employer.

If you don’t know where to find your microsite, ask your payroll department.

If you decide to ‘opt-out’ of joining AustralianSuper Select

To opt out of joining AustralianSuper Select, you’ll need to do the following:

1. Complete and return the Keep my existing account form to AustralianSuper within 30 days from the date of the letter we send you. You’ll simply keep your existing (non-Select) AustralianSuper account and any existing insurance cover you currently have.
2. Complete and return the Pay my super into AustralianSuper form to your employer so they can continue to pay your super contributions to your existing AustralianSuper (non-Select) account.

If you decide you wish to join Select later on (after the initial offer to join Select) you’ll need to talk to your employer about transferring to Select. You may be eligible for the Select basic cover arranged by your employer and any additional insurance cover you get as a result of the transfer will be limited cover* for at least two years.

*Limited cover means you don’t have full cover and you won’t be covered for any pre-existing illnesses or injuries you had before you got your cover. Limited cover may last for different lengths of time and applies to all cover types, including Death cover. You’ll be covered for an illness that becomes apparent, or an injury that occurs on or after the date that your cover starts, restarts or increases.

A work rating classifies the usual activities of your job into one of three ratings: Blue Collar, White Collar or Professional. Your work rating is one factor that determines how much you pay for your insurance cover*.

As an AustralianSuper Select member, you have an individual work rating and a category work rating.

Your individual work rating is Blue Collar unless you’re eligible to change to White Collar or Professional and your application is approved by the Insurer. Please note that a Blue Collar work rating is the most expensive.

Your category work rating^† is unique to your Select employer and it only applies while you’re employed with them. You can’t change your category work rating because it’s arranged by your employer.

The work rating we use to calculate the cost of your cover

If your individual and category work ratings are different, we’ll apply the cheaper work rating to calculate the cost of your cover. This is your applied work rating. That’s why it’s important to check your individual work rating – because while you’re with your Select employer, if your individual work rating is less expensive than your category work rating, your cover will be less expensive.

To check your current individual work rating and to apply to change it online, log into your AustralianSuper account and go to Insurance.  

For more on your cover in Select, read the Insurance in your super guide for Select members.

If you’re thinking of combining super from your other fund into AustralianSuper, it’s important to know that combining (consolidating) your super doesn’t automatically transfer any insurance cover you have to AustralianSuper*. If you want to transfer your insurance cover, you should wait until you’ve received written confirmation from us before combining your super.

Please check whether AustralianSuper basic cover suits your needs and circumstances. You may need to tailor the cover to your needs (increase or decrease the amount of cover you have), as your insurance with your other fund will stop as soon as you close that super account.

Our insurance calculator can help you work out how much cover you may need.

You’ll find details about your cover, the cost of it and who pays for it under the 'Insurance' tab on the AustralianSuper microsite set up for your employer.

*Before making a decision to combine your super, consider any fees or charges that may apply, and the effect a transfer may have on benefits in your other fund such as insurance cover. We recommend you consider seeking financial advice.

As an AustralianSuper Select member, your employer arranges the basic insurance cover* that’s provided with your super account.

This cover provides a basic level of protection if you die or become ill or injured (age limits and other conditions apply). The cost of your basic cover will either be paid for by your employer, or you’ll pay for it yourself.

If you pay for your cover, the cost of it will be deducted monthly from your super account. Check the AustralianSuper Select booklet for your employer for details about your cover and to find out who pays for it.

You can change or cancel your cover at any time. Read the Insurance in your super guide for Select members to find out how.

*The cover provided automatically is based on your division, age, account balance and if you are receiving employer contributions. You can apply to increase, decrease, or cancel your cover anytime. Age limits and other conditions apply. Read the Insurance in your super guide for your division for more information.

Any cover your employer pays for will start once you’ve received an employer super contribution from your Select employer, regardless of your super balance. If your basic cover is age-based, it can only start if you’re 25 or older.

Any basic cover you pay for will start once you’ve turned 25; and have a super balance of $6,000; and have received an employer super contribution once your super balance has reached $6,000.

See the Insurance in your super guide for Select members for more detailed information about when cover starts.

As a new member, you can apply to start your basic cover before your super balance reaches $6,000, without providing detailed health information for the Insurer* to consider. You’ll need to apply within 120 days from the date on your welcome letter (time limits and other conditions apply). If your basic cover is age-based, it can only start if you’re 25 or older and you’re eligible. Please note that if you’re not in active employment on the date your cover starts with us, your cover may be limited cover.

*AustralianSuper insurance is provided by TAL Life Limited (the Insurer), ABN 70 050 109 450, AFSL 237848.

Eligible employees who’ve joined AustralianSuper Select receive a tailored insurance cover design, agreed by your employer and AustralianSuper.

Visit the AustralianSuper microsite set up for your employer to download the Insurance in your super guide for either AustralianSuper Select or AustralianSuper Plan, and the AustralianSuper Select booklet for your employer, for more about:

• basic cover (cover amounts and costs, when it’s provided automatically and how to apply),
• changing or cancelling cover, and
• transferring any existing insurance cover.

Use our insurance calculator to help work out how much cover you may need.

Our insurance options are flexible and you can change or cancel your cover as your life and needs change.

Before you change your cover you should read the Insurance in your super guide or, for AustralianSuper Select, the Insurance in your super guide for Select members. It contains terms and conditions about insurance, including costs, your eligibility for cover, how much you can apply for, when cover starts and stops and limitations or exclusions.

Cancel your cover

To cancel all or part of your cover log into your account and go to My insurance or complete a Cancel your insurance form.

Before you do, there are a few important things you should think about.

If you cancel your cover:

• you or your beneficiaries won’t be able to make an insurance claim if something happens after the cancellation
• you might not be able to get cover later. That's because you'll need to reapply and provide detailed health information for the Insurer to consider.

You should consider getting financial advice to help work out if cancellation is right for you.

If you do cancel your cover, the cost of it will stop being deducted from your super account.

Change your cover

Log into your account or use the Change your insurance form to:

• start your cover
• apply for new cover
• increase your cover (maximum limits apply)
• decrease your cover
• change your cover type
• change your Income Protection waiting period or benefit payment period
• change your individual work rating.

Your insurance cover will continue unchanged while you’re on parental leave or leave without pay. Cover will be maintained, and premiums will continue to be deducted until cover ends based on the rules regarding when Death, TPD and Income Protection cover stops (e.g. lapsing, not enough funds to pay for cover). You don’t need to notify AustralianSuper of this leave.

We’ll write to you if we haven’t received any contributions into your super account for 9, 12 and 15 months. Your cover will end if we don’t receive contributions for 16 months, however we’ll let you know how to keep your cover before this happens.

If you leave your AustralianSuper Select employer your super account will move from AustralianSuper Select to AustralianSuper Plan. If you’re eligible, you’ll keep the same amount of cover you already have when you move to AustralianSuper Plan and it will become fixed cover.

Your category work rating will no longer apply, and the cost of your cover will be based on your age, level of cover and your individual work rating.

You’ll pay the cost of your total cover which will be deducted monthly from your super account.

Your Income Protection waiting period will change to 60 days if it’s 90 days with your AustralianSuper Select employer.

We’ll write to you if this happens. To learn more, see the 'Changing jobs? Take AustralianSuper with you' section in the Insurance in your super guide for Select members.

If you know you have super with another fund, you can consolidate your super by:

• completing the Consolidate your super form online or
• downloading and completing the Combine your super form (PDF) and emailing it back to us.

It’s important to know that combining (consolidating) your super doesn’t automatically transfer any insurance cover you have to AustralianSuper*. If you want to transfer your insurance cover, you should wait until you’ve received written confirmation from us before combining your super.

*Before deciding to transfer super from other super fund(s) to AustralianSuper, you need to consider the effects of any loss of insurance coverage types and amounts in the old fund as a result of the transfer.

If you don’t make a choice, you’re automatically invested into the Balanced option, which is a PreMixed investment option. The majority of members are invested in our Balanced option, which is invested in a wide range of assets, including shares, private equity, infrastructure, fixed interest, credit and cash. The Balance option is designed to have medium to long-term growth with possible short-term fluctuations.

You have alternative PreMixed, DIY Mix or Member Direct investment options to choose from, visit australiansuper.com/investments/your-investment-options or have all your investment questions answered by visiting australiansuper.com/investments

Your super savings may last 20 years or more when you retire - some of the savings may even outlive you, so it’s important to let us know where you want your money to go.

FIND OUT ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR BENEFICIARY OPTIONS

Everyone's financial journey is unique, so we're here to help create the future you want with financial advice that's right for you.

LEARN ABOUT YOUR ADVICE OPTIONS

Visit australiansuper.com for up-to-date information on our investment performance or compare us to other funds.

You can use the Super AppleCheck comparison tool, which is free to use and provided by independent superannuation research firm Chant West. This tool helps you to compare us with other funds on an ‘apples-to-apples’ basis, that covers investments, fees, insurance and member services.

Yes. Once you’re a member, you can set up your account access and download the free AustralianSuper app in a few simple steps, to manage your super, anywhere, anytime.

To set up your account, visit australiansuper.com/register. You’ll need your member number and email address. Once you’ve set up your account, visit australiansuper.com/mobile to download the app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).

When you log in to the app for the first time, you’ll need your AustralianSuper account login details. You can then follow the prompts to set up at four-digit pin for future logins.