Set a Default Super Fund
Employers are required to pay superannuation contributions on behalf of their employees. If an employee does not nominate a super fund, contributions must be paid into your organisation's default fund. This guide explains how to set one up in MyAccountant.
What Is a Default Super Fund?
A default super fund is the fund that receives contributions for any employee who has not provided a Standard Choice Form nominating their own preferred fund. Under Australian law, you must have a default fund in place before you begin paying employees.
Set Your Default Fund
- Go to Settings > Superannuation from the main menu.
- Click Set Default Fund (or edit the existing default).
- Search for the fund by name or USI (Unique Superannuation Identifier).
- Select the fund from the search results.
- Click Save.
The selected fund will now be used for any employee who does not have a nominated fund on their profile.
How It Works
- When you add a new employee, if no super fund is entered, the default fund is automatically assigned.
- If an employee later submits a Standard Choice Form nominating a different fund, you can update their fund on their profile. The default fund is not affected.
- The default fund applies at the organisation level — all employees without a nomination will use the same default.
Choosing a Default Fund
When selecting a default super fund, consider:
- MySuper product — your default fund must offer a MySuper product, as required by law.
- Fees — compare administration and investment fees across funds.
- Insurance — check what default insurance cover the fund provides to members.
- Performance — review the fund's long-term investment returns.
You can search for and compare funds on the ATO's YourSuper comparison tool.
Stapled Super Funds
Since 1 November 2021, if a new employee does not nominate a fund, you must first check with the ATO whether they have an existing stapled super fund before using your default fund. A stapled fund is an existing super account linked to the employee.
To request a stapled fund determination:
- Log in to ATO Online Services for Business or your registered tax agent portal.
- Search for the employee using their TFN, name and date of birth.
- The ATO will return the stapled fund details (if one exists).
If a stapled fund is found, use that fund instead of your default. If no stapled fund exists, your default fund applies.
Important Notes
- You must have a default super fund set before processing your first pay run.
- The default fund must offer a MySuper product.
- Always check for a stapled fund before applying the default to a new employee.