Understanding Employer Responsibilities and Reforms
Super fund stapling is streamlining superannuation management in Australia, with nearly 80 per cent of people now holding only one super account. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) highlights essential information for employers as they onboard new employees.
Employers maintain the effectiveness of super fund stapling by reducing duplicate accounts and unnecessary fees. This initiative keeps workers linked to the same super account across different jobs.
Mr Kelly explained, “Super fund stapling is designed to keep workers connected to the same super account as they move between jobs, helping them avoid unnecessary duplicate accounts and fees, and employers are central to making that work.”
New Legislative Changes
New legislative changes enhance employee choice regarding super funds without increasing employer obligations. Employers must ensure new employees are informed about their existing super fund alongside any alternative fund advertisements.
Superannuation software and onboarding service providers can no longer advertise alternative funds without also displaying information about an employee’s existing super accounts, promoting informed decisions.
Employers using payroll or onboarding software should ensure their provider is authorised via Access Manager to act on their behalf when requesting stapled super results.
Preventing Fraud through ATO Requests
Requesting stapled super fund details directly through the ATO prevents fraud. The ATO confirms a legitimate employer-employee relationship before releasing any information, safeguarding privacy and security.
“Stapled super only works when the right checks are in place. Without proper verification, there is a real risk of fraud and super being misdirected,” said Ben Kelly.
In 2024-25, the ATO received 45,000 requests for superannuation information where no employer-employee relationship was established. These requests, making up 17 per cent of the total, were denied, protecting workers’ superannuation information.
Successful Outcomes of Super Fund Stapling
Since its introduction in 2021, super fund stapling has effectively reduced the number of Australians with multiple super accounts, a major cause of duplicate fees and insurance costs.
The percentage of individuals with a single super account rose from 76 per cent in 2022 to 79 per cent in 2025, indicating a positive trend towards account consolidation.
For employers, using ATO-authorised processes to request stapled super details is crucial, ensuring employees benefit fully from the system, highlighted Mr Kelly.
