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Back to Employer obligations

Super stapling for employers

When to request a Stapled Fund search
How to request Stapled Fund information
What happens if you don’t perform a Stapled Fund search?
Special situations
September 11 2025
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As an employer, you’re required to run a Stapled Fund search for employees who don’t select a fund when completing Choice of Fund form.

A ‘Stapled fund’ is when a single super account is linked to a worker, staying with them throughout their working life, even when they change jobs. It’s designed to stop multiple accounts from being created and can prevent them from paying unnecessary fees, helping to protect their super balance over time. 

When to request a Stapled Fund search

After you have provided a new employee with a Choice of Fund form, and they don’t select a fund - this is when you’re required to request an employee’s stapled super fund from the ATO.

Who to run a stapled fund search for:

  • New hires who are eligible to choose a fund but choose not to
  • Independant contractors who qualify for super
  • Certain temporary residents under older workplace agreements 

How to request Stapled Fund information

1. Establish the employment relationship

Submit a Tax File Number (TFN) declaration or run a Single Touch Payroll (STP) event. This establishes the employment link between you and your new staff member.  

2. Log in to ATO online services for business

Once you’ve established the employment relationship:

  • Go to the “Employee super account” section and select Request for a new form
  • Fill in their details, including Tax File Number, Full Name, Date of Birth and address  

3. Submit the request

  • Usually, you’ll get a response within minutes
  • If the ATO advises that there is no stapled super fund, you can go ahead and make employee super contributions to your default fund.  
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Got questions?

Book a call with a Rest Business Specialist and get simple answers, fast. 

Book a call today

What happens if you don’t perform a Stapled Fund search?

If you skip the stapled fund request and pay into a fund your employee did not choose themselves, you could face:

  • A choice shortfall penalty
  • The Super Guarantee Charge (SGC)

To avoid this, always request stapled fund details if no choice is made, and pay into the fund the ATO gives you. 

Special situations

  • Contractors: If they’re entitled to super but not in your STP, use secure mail in ATO Online Services to request their stapled fund.
  • Incomplete information: If you don’t have enough details to run payroll, you can still make a request—just follow the ATO’s guidance on pay slips and software workarounds.
  • Stapled fund rejects payment: If the stapled fund won’t accept your payment, ask the employee to choose another fund or submit another request for a new stapled fund via the ATO. If all else fails, the ATO may let you use your default fund. 
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Pro tip: set up a default fund 

Keep things simple by setting up a default fund pre-hiring and updating your onboarding process to include TFN declarations early. 

Set up a default fund

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