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Quick Answer
The superannuation standard choice form is an ATO form that lets an eligible employee tell their employer which super fund should receive their super contributions. It does not open a new super account; it only tells your employer where to pay contributions.
Fill in your personal details, nominate a fund (existing fund, employer’s default fund, or SMSF), enter that fund’s name, ABN, USI, member number and any required compliance documentation, then check everything before giving the completed form to your employer (not the ATO).
If you skip the form, your employer may have to use your stapled super fund or its default fund instead.
What Is the Superannuation Standard Choice Form?
The superannuation standard choice form is an ATO form used by employees to tell their employer which super fund should receive their super contributions.
You can use the form to nominate an eligible super fund, including an existing APRA-regulated fund. Your employer also uses the form to provide information about its nominated default fund.
You can complete the form provided by your employer, or you may be able to complete your super details through ATO online services in myGov, where existing super fund information may be pre-filled.
The important thing to remember: the form tells your employer where you want your super paid. It does not automatically open a new super account for you.
Do You Have to Fill Out a Super Choice Form for Every New Job?
Your employer is generally required to give you a standard choice form within 28 days of you starting the job.
However, not every employee has an unrestricted right to choose. Some employees fall outside this obligation, for example, certain temporary visa holders, some defined-benefit fund members, and employees covered by specific workplace arrangements.
If you are eligible to choose your super fund, completing the form lets you tell your employer which fund should receive your contributions. If you do not make a choice, your employer may need to request your stapled super fund details from the ATO.
A stapled super fund is an existing super account linked to you. It can follow you when you change jobs.
This matters if you already have a fund you prefer. You do not want to assume your new employer will automatically use that account without receiving the information they need.
How to Fill Out the Superannuation Standard Choice Form
Before starting, have your super fund details nearby. Your latest statement or online member account can be useful here.
Step 1: Complete Your Personal Details
Start with the employee section of the form. You will need to provide the personal information requested, which can include your name, tax file number and contact details.
Check these details carefully before submitting the form. Your super fund needs accurate information to identify your account and allocate contributions correctly.
If you complete the form through myGov, some existing super details may already appear for you. You will still need to check that the information is correct.
Step 2: Choose Where You Want Your Super Paid
The next question is the one that really matters: which super fund do you want your employer to use?
If you already have a super fund, you may choose to nominate that fund. You may also choose your employer’s nominated fund where that option applies. If you have an SMSF, there are additional details and documentation requirements.
Do not choose a fund simply because its name appears first on the paperwork. Your super can remain invested for many years, so it is worth knowing which account you are nominating.
Step 3: Enter Your Super Fund Details
If you are nominating an existing super fund, you will need the relevant fund information:
- Super fund name
- ABN
- Unique Superannuation Identifier, or USI
- Your member or account number
- Account name
- Required compliance documentation
| Term | What it identifies |
|---|---|
| USI (Unique Superannuation Identifier) | The particular superannuation product, for contribution purposes |
| ABN | The fund entity itself |
These details are not interchangeable, so check them before submitting the form. You can usually find your fund’s details through its website, online member portal or recent statement. If you are unsure which USI applies to your account, contact the fund directly. Our guide on what a super fund ABN actually is goes into more detail on why this number matters and where it’s used.
Step 4: Get the Required Compliance Documentation
When you nominate an APRA-regulated super fund, the form may require evidence that the fund is a complying fund and can accept contributions from your employer.
Your super fund can provide the required documentation. Many funds make this information available online, but you can contact the fund if you cannot find it.
Do not guess what document your employer needs. Checking with your fund first can save you from having the form sent back for correction.
Step 5: Check Your Details Before Submitting the Form
Before returning the form, compare your entries with your super fund’s records. Check your member number, fund ABN and USI. If you have changed your name or other personal details, check that your super fund’s records are also up to date.
You should only complete the sections that apply to your situation.
Once the form is complete, give it to your employer. You do not send the completed form to the ATO. Your employer is required to keep a copy.
After you give the completed form to your employer, your nominated fund generally becomes your official chosen fund two months after you gave notice, unless your employer processes it sooner. This two-month period relates to when your fund choice takes effect. It is separate from, and does not extend, your employer’s normal deadlines for actually paying your super.
What Happens if You Do Not Submit a Super Choice Form?
If you do not choose a super fund, your employer may need to request your stapled super fund details from the ATO. This applies to many new employees from 1 November 2021.
If the ATO identifies a stapled fund, your employer generally pays your super into that account. If there is no stapled fund available, your employer may use its default fund, provided the relevant requirements are met.
So, leaving the form untouched does not mean your super will simply disappear. It means you may not get to nominate the fund you actually wanted.
Where Do You Find Your Super Fund’s USI and ABN?
Your fund’s ABN and USI can usually be found through your fund’s:
- Member portal
- Recent statement
- Website
- Product documents
- Customer service team
If you are looking online, make sure you are checking information for your particular super product. This is important because a large super fund may offer several products, each with its own identifying information. If you enter the wrong USI, your employer may have difficulty processing the contribution correctly.
When in doubt, contact the fund rather than relying on an old document or an unrelated online result.
Can Your Employer Choose a Super Fund for You?
Your employer can have a default super fund, but that does not mean they can ignore your choice if you are eligible to choose a fund.
If you make a valid choice, your employer must follow the applicable choice of fund rules. If you do not choose a fund, the employer may need to request your stapled fund details from the ATO. If there is no stapled fund available, the employer may use its default fund where the rules allow it.
Your employer’s default fund is also not automatically the right fund for you. Super funds can differ in fees, investment options, insurance and other features. That is why choosing your fund should be a considered decision rather than something you leave to chance.
Your employer also cannot recommend a particular fund to you or try to influence which fund you choose, unless the person giving that advice is appropriately licensed to provide financial advice. Failing to meet these obligations can expose an employer to the super guarantee charge, which includes a specific liability for not providing a standard choice form on time.
From 27 March 2026, if an employer is required to provide a standard choice form but fails to do so within the statutory period, the employer may not be able to rely on certain choice-of-fund contribution pathways for contributions made during that period of non-compliance. The restriction ceases once the employer provides the form.
What if You Have an SMSF?
If you want your employer contributions paid into an SMSF, the process involves more information than nominating an ordinary APRA-regulated fund.
You will need to provide the information and supporting documentation requested by the choice form. Bank-account details and the electronic service address may also be required by the employer’s payroll, clearing-house or SuperStream payment process, but they are not necessarily identical to the information required in every version of the standard choice form.
If you are unsure about the requirements, speak with your SMSF trustee or professional adviser before submitting the form. If you are still setting up your fund, our guide on the key steps to setting up an SMSF covers what needs to be in place before you can start receiving contributions at all.
A Simple Super Choice Form Example
Consider Sarah, who has started a new job and already has a super account with a fund she wants to keep using.
Her new employer gives her a standard choice form. Sarah completes her personal details and nominates her existing fund. She then checks her fund’s current ABN and USI, enters her member number and provides the required supporting document. Sarah checks everything before returning the form to her employer.
Now her employer has the information needed to pay her super to the fund she selected. That small bit of paperwork can save Sarah from having her contributions sent somewhere she did not choose.
What Should You Check Before Submitting the Form?
- Your name and personal details are correct.
- Your fund name is correct.
- The ABN and USI match your super fund.
- Your member number is correct.
- You have included any required supporting documentation.
- You have completed the section that applies to your chosen fund.
- You have kept a copy of the completed form.
It is also worth checking your existing super accounts before deciding where new contributions should go. If you have several old accounts, compare the fees, insurance and investment arrangements before considering consolidation.
Your super may sit in the background while you focus on work, bills and everyday expenses. That does not make the decision unimportant. Getting the details right when you start a new job is a simple way to keep your super arrangements on track.
FAQs
What is the superannuation standard choice form?
It is an ATO form that allows an eligible employee to tell their employer which super fund should receive their employer super contributions.
Do I have to fill out a super choice form for every new job?
Not necessarily. If you are eligible to choose your super fund, completing the form tells your new employer where you want your contributions paid. If you do not make a choice, your employer may need to request your stapled super fund details from the ATO.
What happens if I don’t submit a super choice form?
Your employer may need to request your stapled super fund details. If the ATO identifies a stapled fund, your employer generally pays your super there. If no stapled fund is available, your employer may use its default fund where the rules allow it.
Where do I find my super fund’s USI and ABN?
You can usually find these details through your super fund’s website, online member account or recent statement. Contact your fund if you are unsure which USI applies to your account.
Can my employer choose a super fund for me?
Your employer generally must act on a valid choice made by an eligible employee, subject to the applicable rules. This can include situations where required information or supporting evidence is missing, or where you have already made another choice within the preceding 12 months.
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