What Happens to Your Super When You Change Jobs?
Last updated: 8 May 2025
Changing jobs doesn't affect your superannuation balance — your super stays in your fund and continues to grow. But what happens next depends on whether you nominate a fund, whether super stapling applies, and how many accounts you've accumulated. Here's what you need to know.
Your super stays in your fund
Super is your money, not your employer's. When you leave a job, your existing balance remains in your current super fund. Your previous employer stops contributing (they're only required to contribute for current employees), but the money stays put, continues to be invested, and earns returns.
If you have a balance under $6,000 and don't make contributions for 12 months, the fund may classify you as an inactive low-balance member and could transfer your balance to the ATO to hold as lost super. This is rare for most employed Australians but worth knowing.
Super stapling — what it means for you
Since November 2021, the ATO's super stapling rules mean that when you start a new job and don't actively choose a fund, your new employer must look up your existing ("stapled") fund with the ATO and pay contributions there — rather than opening a new default account.
This prevents the creation of multiple super accounts every time you change jobs — a problem that was costing Australians billions in duplicate fees and insurance premiums. However, you can always choose a different fund if you prefer. Simply complete a Choice of Fund form for your new employer.
Your three options when starting a new job
| Option | What happens | When to choose this |
|---|---|---|
| Nominate your existing fund | Employer contributes to your current fund | Almost always — consolidate into one account |
| Choose a new fund | Switch to a different fund at your new employer | If your new employer offers a better-performing fund |
| Do nothing | Employer uses your stapled fund (ATO lookup) | Acceptable — your existing fund receives contributions |
The cost of multiple super accounts
Before stapling, Australians frequently ended up with a new super account at every job change. Each account charges fees and often includes insurance premiums. Having three accounts instead of one can cost $500–$2,000/year in duplicated charges — and the compounding impact over decades is substantial.
If you have multiple accounts, consolidating them is almost always beneficial. You'll pay fees once, have a single view of your retirement savings, and avoid the risk of one account becoming "lost".
How to find and consolidate lost super
- Log in to myGov → Link to ATO → Super
- View all super accounts associated with your TFN
- Identify which accounts to consolidate
- Use the "Transfer super" function in myGov to roll funds into your chosen account
The process takes 3–5 business days and is free. The only exception: if an account has insurance attached, transferring out cancels that insurance. Check whether you have insurance in any fund before consolidating.
Insurance in your super — don't forget to check
Most super funds automatically include life insurance and total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance. Some include income protection. When you leave a job:
- Check if your current fund has insurance cover
- Check if your new fund (or stapled fund) has equivalent cover
- If you're rolling over your balance, ensure you maintain continuous cover — there can be a gap period
Super insurance can be significantly cheaper than equivalent retail policies, especially for younger or healthier Australians. Don't cancel it inadvertently by consolidating without checking first.
What to do when starting a new job — checklist
- ✅ Complete a Choice of Fund form nominating your existing super fund
- ✅ Provide your TFN to your new employer for super contributions
- ✅ Check myGov for any additional accounts and consider consolidating
- ✅ Review insurance cover in any accounts you're considering closing
- ✅ Update your beneficiary nominations if your personal situation has changed
Sources: ATO Superannuation, Your Future Your Super reforms (Treasury Laws Amendment 2021), APRA superannuation statistics. General information only.