About Super Choice

What is Super Choice?

Super Choice allows many Australians to choose which fund their employee’s future Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions go into.  Super Choice became effective at 1 July 2005. 

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How can I determine if my employees are eligible for Super Choice?

The government has set up a Choice of Superannuation Fund website dedicated to helping employers and their employees understand Super Choice.  As an employer, you can use this reference as a guide to employee eligibility. 

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If I have employees eligible for Choice, what do I need to do?

Existing employees eligible for Choice should have been provided with a Standard Choice Form by 28 July 2005, when Choice first came into force. If you have determined that you have new employees eligible for Choice, you must provide new starters with a Standard Choice form within 28 days of their start date. This is also a good time to provide new starters with an outline of the BT Plan, so they can make an informed decision.

You can download a Guide for Employees booklet:

Or call BT Employer Relations on 1300 553 010 to obtain hard copies. 

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Do I need to do anything if my new employee wishes to join our employer sponsored BT Plan?

New starters eligible for Choice still need to be provided with the Standard Choice form within 28 days of their start date.  If your BT Plan is your business’ default superannuation arrangement, your employees do not need to do anything and you can contribute employer contribution payments into your BT Plan for them. 

In the event your BT Plan is not your business’ default super arrangement, your new starters will need to elect to join the BT Plan by completing the Choice form.  BT can help you here by providing you with pre-populated Choice forms for employees who wish to join the BT Plan.  See the section below.

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Where can I get a standard Choice form?

Pre-populated Standard Choice forms are available in the Forms and Flyers Download centre.  For a host of tools for employers, log into the secure site, and visit our News and Forms section.  You can also download Choice forms (opens in a new window) in various formats from the government’s Super Choice website.

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How does WorkChoices affect Super Choice?

WorkChoices is an ongoing reform in workplace and labour relations. Superannuation is one of the areas impacted by these reforms. From 1 July 2006 there may be more employees eligible for Super Choice than under previous rules. If you are unsure if WorkChoices means you now have more employees eligible for Choice or not, visit the ATO's website (opens in a new window) or phone 13 10 20.

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One of my employee’s chosen funds have asked me to become a ‘participating employer’, what does this mean?

Some funds will ask you to become a participating employer before they allow you to pay contributions to them on behalf of your employee. Being a participating employer may involve paying contributions more regularly (such as monthly instead of quarterly). 

If you agree to become a participating employer of a superannuation fund, your employee can choose this fund. However, you do not have to agree to become a participating employer; it is one of the circumstances where an employer is allowed to decline an employee’s request.  

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Are there any circumstances where I can decline an employee’s Super Choice request?

If employees are eligible you do not have to accept the super choice request if:

  • An employee’s written notice does not contain all the required information.
  • You are required to become a ‘participating employer’ before you can pay contributions to them. Being a participating employer may involve paying contributions more regularly (such as monthly instead of quarterly). If you agree to become a participating employer of a superannuation fund, your employee can choose this fund.  You do not have to agree.
  • If you have accepted such a request from the employee within the past 12 months. It is recommended employers document employees’ requests.

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