The superannuation standard choice form (NAT 13080) is how an employee tells their employer which super fund to pay contributions into, and how an employer tells staff about its default fund. Employees fill in Section A and then one of Sections B, C or D. You give the form to your employer, never to the ATO, and the employer keeps it for 5 years.
Everything below comes from the ATO's standard choice form page, as of October 2026.
Three ways to complete it
- Online through ATO online services in myGov: choose Employment, then New employment, and complete the Super details section. Your existing funds are pre-filled.
- By downloading the PDF form and filling it in on screen or by hand.
- Through your employer's payroll software, if it supports employee commencement.
For the online version you need your employer's ABN, your employment type, such as full-time, part-time or casual, and the name, ABN and unique superannuation identifier (USI) of the employer's default fund. Print the completed summary and give it to your employer.
Which section to fill in
| Section | When you use it | What else you may need |
|---|---|---|
| A | Always: your own details | If you quote your tax file number, your employer must pass it to the fund |
| B | You want an existing fund, such as a retail or industry fund | A compliance letter from the fund saying it's complying and can accept contributions |
| C | You want the employer's default fund | The employer fills in its fund details before giving you the form |
| D | You want your self-managed super fund (SMSF) | A document confirming the SMSF is an ATO regulated fund |
If you want to open a brand new fund, open it with that fund first, then come back to the form once you've got the account details. Your employer can refuse a form that's missing information or the supporting documents.
What employers have to do
- Give the form to new employees who can choose a fund, to existing employees who ask, and to affected staff when you change default fund or can no longer pay into a nominated fund.
- Fill in Section C with your default fund before handing it over. The default fund must be authorised to offer a MySuper product.
- Act on a completed choice within 2 months.
- If a new employee doesn't choose, request their stapled super fund from the ATO before paying contributions.
- Keep completed forms for 5 years. Don't send them to the ATO or to super funds.
Employers can't recommend a fund or influence the choice. Only advisers licensed by ASIC can give financial advice. You're also only required to accept one choice of fund from an employee in a 12 month period, though you can accept more.
Stapled funds and the order of payment
A stapled super fund is an existing account linked to a person, so it follows them from job to job instead of a new account being opened each time. When a new employee hasn't chosen, contributions go to:
- The employee's chosen fund, if they've made a choice.
- Their stapled fund, as the ATO advises after a stapled fund request.
- The employer's default fund, only if the ATO says there's no stapled fund.
For employees who started from 1 November 2021, the default fund can only be used if the ATO advises there's no stapled fund. If the ATO makes a stapled fund request about you, it'll let you know which fund details it gave your employer.
The 1 July 2026 change people miss
From 1 July 2026, an employer's super guarantee contributions need to reach the employee's fund within 7 business days after payday. That's extended to 20 business days for the first contribution to a new employee, or the first one to a new fund after contributions to another fund stopped.
This makes the choice form time-sensitive. An employer has up to 2 months to act on a new choice, but contributions still have to be paid by their due date, so a slow or incomplete form means contributions go to the stapled or default fund in the meantime. Employers who miss the payment may need to request the stapled fund quickly to avoid the super guarantee charge.
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Tips for employees
- You can usually choose where your super is paid, and you can change it at any time by giving your employer a new form.
- Your employer isn't liable for the performance of the fund you or they nominate.
- If you quote your tax file number to your employer for super, they must pass it to the fund. If you haven't got one yet, see how to get a TFN.
- Having more than one super account can mean paying multiple fees. You can consolidate accounts through myGov, but check whether you'd lose insurance first.
- If you've changed name, address or job, you may have lost super. Check your accounts regularly.
If your chosen fund can't accept your employer's contributions, or stops being a complying fund, your employer will ask you for another choice, and may need to request your stapled fund in the meantime. If you're choosing an SMSF, you can check its compliance status on Super Fund Lookup before you hand the form in.
The verdict
The standard choice form is short, but timing matters more since 1 July 2026. Employees should hand it in with their first week's paperwork, with the compliance letter if they're choosing their own fund. Employers should fill in Section C before giving it out, act within 2 months and keep it for 5 years.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I give the superannuation standard choice form to?
Your employer. Don't send it to the ATO or your super fund. Employers keep completed forms for 5 years.
What sections do I complete on the standard choice form?
Section A with your details, then one of Section B for an existing fund, Section C for the employer's default fund or Section D for an SMSF.
How long does my employer have to act on my choice?
Up to 2 months, although contributions must still be paid by their due date.
What happens if I don't choose a super fund?
Your employer requests your stapled super fund from the ATO and pays into it. The default fund is used only if there's no stapled fund.
Can I change super funds whenever I like?
You can request a change at any time with a new form, but your employer only has to accept one choice in a 12 month period.
