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Stapled super fund

A stapled super fund is an employee's existing default fund that follows them to a new employer. Employers must request stapled details from the ATO if no nomination.

By Chalkline. Last updated 14 May 2026. Verified 14 May 2026.

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A stapled super fund is an existing default superannuation fund that “follows” an employee from one employer to the next, instead of the new employer enrolling them in a fresh default fund. The stapled-fund rules commenced 1 November 2021 and apply to every new employee who starts work after that date.

The rule. When you hire a new employee who does not nominate a super fund, you must:

  1. Request their stapled fund details from the ATO via ATO Online Services (Online services for business). Login is via myGovID.
  2. Pay super contributions to the stapled fund returned in the ATO response.
  3. Only if no stapled fund exists (the employee has never had super before, typically first-job apprentices), you may use your employer-default fund instead.

The request can only be made after the employee has commenced (signed the employment contract; usually first day of work).

Why the rule exists. Pre-2021, every new job set up a new default fund, leading to employees accumulating multiple small balances eaten by fees. Stapling solves this: one default fund per employee, follows them through their career, fees minimised.

Practical workflow for a builder:

  1. New employee starts. Provide them with the standard Choice of Super Fund form (super choice form).
  2. Employee nominates a fund → pay super to that fund. No stapled fund request needed.
  3. Employee does not nominate within the chosen window (typically two pay cycles, or earlier if you’re paying super): a. Log in to ATO Online Services for business with myGovID. b. Submit the stapled super fund request with the employee’s TFN or name + DOB. c. ATO returns either the stapled fund details or “no stapled fund exists”. d. Pay super to the returned stapled fund, OR to your employer-default fund if no stapled fund.
  4. Document the response in the employee’s file. Compliance evidence if the ATO audits.

Common builder errors and consequences:

  • Paying to your default fund without checking for stapled: breach of stapled-fund rules. ATO penalties; potential super shortfall to recover from the right fund.
  • Skipping the stapled request because the employee didn’t nominate: same breach. The choice form being blank does NOT default to employer-default; you must request stapled first.
  • Paying late while waiting for stapled response: the ATO response is usually within 24 hours but can take longer. Build the request into your onboarding so you have the answer before the first super payment is due.
  • Paying to multiple funds for the same employee: where the employee changes their nominated fund partway, contributions split between funds. The next stapled-fund check on a new employee at a future date won’t catch this.

Apprentices are common stapled-fund cases. Many apprentices start their first paid role with no prior super. The first stapled request returns “no stapled fund”, and the employer-default fund applies. From then on, the apprentice has a stapled fund that follows them through every subsequent job.

For builders.

  1. Build the stapled request into the onboarding checklist for every new hire. Don’t rely on memory.
  2. Use the ATO’s bulk request facility if you hire multiple workers at once (e.g. for a renovation project where you’re putting on apprentices and casual labourers).
  3. Keep the stapled response on file for at least 5 years; ATO audit window.

Also known as: stapled fund, stapled super, employee’s existing super fund.

Category: Business / payroll / superannuation.

See also

Last updated: 2026-05-14. Verified: 2026-05-14.

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