Superannuation (or "super") is one of the most confusing topics for immigrants — and also one of the most important. Many people arrive, accumulate super across several jobs and never check their balance. This guide explains everything in plain terms.

What is superannuation?

It is Australia's retirement system. Every employer is legally required to deposit 11.5% of your gross salary into a retirement fund in your name. From July 2025, this percentage rises to 12%.

This money is yours — not your employer's. It is held in your name, grows over time, and you can normally only access it from age 60.

Practical example

You earn A$3,000 per month. Your employer deposits A$345 into your super every month (11.5%). After 2 years, you have accumulated A$8,280 — plus investment returns. This money exists and is in your name, even if you have never looked at it.

How to create your super fund — before your first job

Create your super account before you start working. That way you can nominate your chosen fund to your employer from the start — instead of letting them choose for you (which usually results in a fund with higher fees).

  1. Choose a fund from the list below
  2. Go to the fund's website and create your account with your TFN and personal details
  3. Note your Member Number and the fund name
  4. At your first job, fill in the Super Choice Form with these details

Super fund list — information, not a recommendation

The list below is informational. The best fund for you depends on your occupation, income and preferences. Use the ATO's official comparison tool to check up-to-date fees and returns.

FundApprox. admin feeSuited toApp?Bank link?
AustralianSuper~0.67%/yearAny sector — Australia's largest fund, consistent track record✅ Yes—
Australian Retirement Trust~0.65%/yearAny sector — 2nd largest in Australia, competitive fees✅ Yes—
HostplusLow flat fee (~A$78/year)Hospitality, café, restaurant, tourism✅ Yes—
Rest Super~0.56%/yearRetail, supermarket✅ Yes—
HESTA~0.64%/yearHealth, nursing, community services✅ Yes—
Cbus~0.61%/yearConstruction, engineering, manufacturing✅ Yes—
Aware Super~0.65%/yearEducation, government, public sector✅ Yes—
Essential Super (CBA)Check on siteAny sector — integrated into the Commonwealth Bank app✅ Via CBA app✅ CBA
ANZ Smart Choice SuperCheck on siteANZ customers — integrated into the bank's app✅ Via ANZ app✅ ANZ

📌 Source: ATO YourSuper comparison tool — use it to compare fees and returns in real time. The fees above are approximate and may have changed. This table is informational — it is not an investment recommendation.

Tip: CBA and ANZ have super integrated into their banking app

If you bank with Commonwealth Bank (CBA), Essential Super appears directly in the bank app — you can see your super balance alongside your transaction account balance. ANZ has a similar integration. Other funds such as AustralianSuper and Hostplus have well-developed standalone apps — worth checking before you sign up.

How to fill in the Super Choice Form

The Super Choice Form is the document you give your employer to nominate which super fund you want to use. You receive this form alongside the TFN Declaration on your first day of work.

Standard Choice Form — Superannuation
NAT 13080 — Australian Taxation Office
SECTION A — COMPLETED BY YOU (EMPLOYEE)
1
I want my super paid into my existing super account
Fund namee.g. AustralianSuper
ABN of funde.g. 65 714 394 898
Member numberYour member number
USI (Unique Superannuation Identifier)On the fund's website or app
✅ All of these details are in the app or online portal of your super fund
2
Signature + Date

Sign and date the form. Hand it to your employer — they complete Section B.

📌 Official form: ato.gov.au — Standard Choice Form (NAT 13080)

The ABN and USI for your fund are on the fund's website, app or welcome letter. If in doubt, call or use the fund's chat — they will provide the details immediately.

The biggest mistake immigrants make: multiple super funds

Every time you start a new job without nominating your fund, your employer creates a new one for you. After 3 jobs, you have 3 super funds — paying an administration fee on each one, with your balance spread across all of them.

DASP — The money you can claim when leaving Australia

If you leave Australia on a temporary visa, you can apply for the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) and withdraw your entire accumulated balance.

Real DASP example (temporary visa, not WHV)

You have accumulated A$10,000 in super — all employer contributions (taxed element). The 35% tax applies to the A$10,000: A$10,000 × 35% = A$3,500 in tax. You receive A$6,500.

Those who stay in Australia and become permanent residents pay nothing when they withdraw after age 60.

  • WHV (visas 417/462): tax of 65% on the total DASP amount
  • All other temporary visas: tax of 35% on the taxed element (the majority of the balance)
  • There is no deadline to apply — the money waits indefinitely
  • Online process through the ATO website — you can do it yourself

📌 Official ATO source: Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP)

Prepare before leaving Australia — it makes the process much easier

  • Consolidate your super funds into one via myGov before you leave
  • Have important documents certified (passport, visa, proof of departure) by a Justice of the Peace (JP) — free at many Australian pharmacies and libraries
  • Keep your Australian bank account open after leaving — DASP is paid by bank transfer directly to your Australian account. If you close the account, the ATO will send a cheque to your overseas address
  • Cashing an Australian cheque in your home country is very bureaucratic and expensive — avoid this by keeping the account open.

You can do it yourself — and accountants can help

The DASP process is done through the ATO website and you can do it yourself. If you prefer, accountants who specialise in immigrants offer this service — it may be worth it if your balance is large or your situation is more complex.

Don't leave this money behind: billions of dollars in super go unclaimed every year because immigrants leave without applying for DASP. Even if you left years ago, the money is still there waiting for you.

Coming soon — Complete guides on DASP and consolidation

We're preparing detailed articles for each step of the process:

Official sources