What is a default super fund?
A default super fund is the fund you choose to pay your employees' super into if they don't:
- nominate their preferred super fund, or
- have a stapled super fund.
Why do you need a default super fund?
Your employee has the right to choose their own super fund when they start a new job. That said, there are times an employee won’t nominate a super fund when they start working for you.
Often it’s because employees are new to paying super. They might have come from overseas. It might be their first job. They might not have a ‘stapled’ fund.
That’s where you come in. As an employer, you must have a default super fund to ensure you can make super contributions for your employees on time. It’s a key part of meeting your obligations under the Superannuation Guarantee (SG).
This means you can make super contributions for employees who don’t have an existing fund or haven’t nominated one.
Having a default fund in place helps you:
- stay compliant with super laws
- avoid delays or penalties from missed payments
- make sure your team’s super is sorted from day one.
The role of a default super fund
Selecting an appropriate complying MySuper default super fund is an employer obligation, it also helps you:
Onboard new employees: If a new starter doesn’t have a stapled fund or hasn’t provided their Superannuation standard choice form within 28 days of their start date, a default fund ensures you can make contributions by the quarterly due date—avoiding delays and penalties.
Meet award or agreement rules: Some awards or agreements specify where super must be paid, so having the right default fund helps you stay compliant.
Simplify admin: A default fund can help simplify the administrative process for employers when employees haven’t made a choice.
Why does your choice of default super fund matter?
Employers must offer a choice of super fund. The fund you choose can impact your employees’ future retirement savings. Fees, investment options, performance, insurance, and services all matter.
All default funds must offer a complying MySuper product—a simple, low-cost option with:
- Standardised fees and features
- Basic insurance cover
- Transparent investment performance.
Benefits of choosing the right default super fund
A well-chosen default super fund can benefit both employers and employees by:
- Providing quality options: Employees who don’t choose their own fund are placed in a product with strong performance, competitive fees, and a range of investment choices.
- Streamlining processes: A default fund simplifies payroll and super administration, helping you stay compliant and save time.
- Supporting employees: Many funds offer tools and resources to help employees understand their super and make informed decisions.
Important to know
You must not mandate, recommend or influence your employees to choose this or another fund.
You can:
- provide factual information
- ask a superannuation fund provider to present to your employees
- refer your employees to ATO's YourSuper comparison tool
- refer your employees to a licensed financial adviser.
Why choose AustralianSuper?
How to pay super
Value for your employees
All the support you need
How to set up
Follow these 4 steps to make AustralianSuper your default super fund now.
Register with us
Let’s work together. Register with AustralianSuper and choose us as your default super fund today.
Register nowDownload standard choice form
Give your employees a pre-filled Superannuation standard choice form within 28 days of starting their job. If they don’t nominate a fund, request their stapled super fund details.
Download the formSupply their tax file number
Give your employee’s tax file number (TFN) to their super fund. Just make sure you do this within 14 days.
Find out howPaying your employees
Set up your systems to pay super to the right fund. You can bring your own clearing house, or try QuickSuper.1 It’s fast, free and secure.
Sign up for QuickSuperSet up super for your business
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Show Transcript
Paying super for your employees is required under super guarantee legislation, and there can be consequences if you don't meet your requirements. If you don't know where to begin, AustralianSuper is here to help.
Here are five simple steps to get started.
Firstly, select your default super fund such as AustralianSuper.
Next, offer eligible employees a choice of super fund. You need to do this within 28 days of your employee starting their job. If they don't make a choice or aren't eligible, you must request their stapled fund details from the Australian Tax Office.
A stapled fund is simply a fund they are already a member of. Then send their tax file number to their super fund within 14 days of receiving it.
Step four, set your systems up to pay super contributions electronically to the right fund.
And lastly, keep records of super contribution payments and evidence that you offered the choice of super fund to eligible employees.
Once you've got your business set up to pay your employees super, make sure you understand what else you need to do to meet your super obligations.
Whether it's who, what, when or how to pay super,
AustralianSuper is here to help.
For more information, visit http://australiansuper.com/SuperRules
More for employers
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Important information to consider
- QuickSuper is a registered trademark and a product owned and operated by Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141. Westpac’s terms and conditions applicable to the QuickSuper service are available after your eligibility for the clearing house service is assessed by AustralianSuper. A Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) is available from Westpac upon request. AustralianSuper doesn’t accept liability for any loss or damage caused by use of the QuickSuper service and doesn’t receive any commissions from Westpac if employers use this service. You can choose to make your contributions using a different service, but it needs to meet the government’s minimum data standards, visit ato.gov.au
- AustralianSuper Balanced investment option compared to the SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey – SR50 Balanced (60–76) Index to 30 June 2025. Investment returns aren’t 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.
- Source: Zenith CW Pty Ltd (Chant West) (ABN 20 639 121 403). Chant West Super Fund Fee Survey June 2025. Survey compares administration fees and costs for MySuper products for a $50,000 balance. AustralianSuper’s MySuper product is the Balanced option. Other fees and costs apply. Fees may change in the future which may affect the outcome of this comparison.
- AustralianSuper Member Data. Average daily new member joins. Financial year to 30 June 2025.
- APRA Quarterly Superannuation Fund Level Statistics June 2025, Released 9 September 2025.
- Reader's Digest Most Trusted Brands – Superannuation category winner for 13 years running 2013–2025, according to research conducted by research agency Catalyst Research. Awards and ratings are only one factor to be taken into account when choosing a super fund. Read the full methodology.