Superannuation
As an employee of the University, you are entitled to change your nominated superannuation fund and make voluntary contributions to your superannuation. This is available to continuing, fixed-term and casual staff via Staff Services Online (SSO).
Entitlements vary depending on the nature of your employment. Please refer to the frequently asked questions below to determine what entitlements apply to you.
The University provides the ability for staff to change superannuation details in accordance with the Treasury Laws Amendment (Your Superannuation, Your Choice) Act 2020. Before requesting a change to your superannuation contributions please consider the following;
· It is the responsibility of anyone considering superannuation changes to seek their own financial advice if required.
· Changing your superannuation details with the University will not change any previous contributions to superannuation funds. It will be your responsibility to consolidate your superannuation if required.
· The University does not create new superannuation accounts on behalf of employees, it is your responsibility to do this and ensure accounts are active before changing your fund details with the University.
New Staff
When you accept your online offer of employment, you will be prompted to elect your preferred super fund by completed the online form.
If you do not elect a valid super fund, the university will hold your payment for one pay, this will enable the University to:
- Located your stapled account if you have one, or
- Set you up with our default super fund, Unisuper
A stapled account is an existing super account which is linked or stapled to an individual so that it follows them as they change employers.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will provide details of an existing super account, when requested by University of Adelaide if you do not provide a valid fund when onboarding.
By logging into your myGov account you can view what super find the ATO has registered for you.
Existing Staff
You can update/change your super fund via SSO. Note that the fund must be an approved super fund or self managed fund.
Contributing to your Super
You can make regular additional payments to your super fund either pre-tax (salary sacrifice) or post-tax. For further information on pre or post tax contributions speak with your financial advisor or superannuation fund directly.
Changes to your superannuation can be actioned via SSO.
UniSuper DBD members: Please use the following forms to change your contributions:
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How do I change my superannuation or voluntary contributions?
Staff can change their superannuation details and contributions via Staff Services Online (SSO). No approval from a line manager is required. Refer to the reference guides on how to do this in SSO.
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How often can I change my superannuation or voluntary contributions?
You can change your superannuation fund once per annum. If you have recently joined the University you will have the opportunity to nominate your fund during the onboarding process. You can then change your fund 12 months after your employment commenced.
Voluntary contributions can be changed at any time, noting that there are days within the pay cycle that SSO is locked for changes while the pay run is being processed.
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When do changes apply?
Changes to superannuation or voluntary contributions will apply from the next pay date.
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Can I back date my contributions?
No, the changes apply from the next pay date forward and cannot be retrospectively applied.
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Can I change to a self managed superannuation fund?
Yes, you can nominate a self managed fund in SSO and details of the self managed fund will need to be provided to HR via document uploads.
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I am a Unisuper member with a defined benefits plan – can I change my super?
If you have been a defined benefit member for more than 2 years, contact UniSuper to discuss options.
If you have been a defined benefit member for less than 2 years, please contact the HR Service Centre for the offline application form.
If you're unsure how long you've been a defined benefit member, pleases contact the HR Service Centre.
Defined benefit members can opt to move to the Accumulation 2 plan with Unisuper within 2 years of becoming a defined benefits member. Individuals on an Accumulation fund can change to an alternative superannuation fund.
Unisuper members should contact Unisuper directly in the first instance with any queries relating to membership and plans.
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I am a Unisuper member with an Accumulation plan – can I change my super?
Yes, if you are on an Accumulation plan, you can change to an alternative superannuation fund.
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I am a Unisuper member and I’m not sure which plan I am on?
If you have a member online account with Unisuper you can check your account details online. Or contact Unisuper directly with any queries relating to membership and plans.
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I am a casual staff member – can I change my super?
Yes, superannuation and voluntary contribution changes are available to casual staff. If you have more than one casual contract you can nominate to change your voluntary contributions on one or all of your contracts.
Noting that casual staff can only nominate contributions by percentage and not by a fixed amount.
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I have more than one employment contract with the University – can I change just one?
The nominated superannuation fund must be the same for all active employment contracts. You can change voluntary contributions for one or all of your contracts by different amounts.
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I recently started employment with the University – can I change my super fund?
During onboarding, superannuation details are to be provided. If they're not provided within the first fortnight, your employer super contributions will be automatically stapled* to your existing super account. If no stapled fund is found, you will be placed on the University's default UniSuper fund. Plans cannot be updated for the next 12 months.
*A stapled fund is an existing superannuation account which is linked to an individual so that it follows them as they change employers.
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I recently started employment with the University and haven’t yet provided my superannuation details. Can I use SSO to do this?
No, superannuation details must be provided as per instructions in the onboarding process.
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What is the Universities default superannuation fund?
UniSuper is the Universities default super fund.
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Can I join UniSuper?
Yes, UniSuper is the Universities default super fund.
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Can I voluntarily contribute 100% of my salary to superannuation?
Increasing your contribution to superannuation to 100% will result in you receiving no salary payment into your bank account for the pay period(s). If you want to contribute 100% of your salary to superannuation, please contact the HR Service centre to discuss further.
Useful resources and links