Growing your super balance through employer contributions
One way your super balance grows is through Super Guarantee contributions (or SG for short), which are compulsory payments your employer is legally required to make into your super account as part of your overall remuneration.
If you start a new job and don’t choose a super fund, your employer is generally required to pay your SG contributions into your stapled super fund. A stapled super fund is an existing super account linked to you that stays with you as you change jobs, helping to avoid multiple accounts and unnecessary fees.
You can choose a different super fund at any time. To do this, you’ll need to give your employer the details of your preferred fund. If you change jobs, remember to provide your super fund details to your new employer so your contributions are paid into the right account.
SG refers to the minimum compulsory contributions that your employer is legally required to make into a complying super fund on your behalf. The contribution amount is calculated as a percentage of your earnings for ordinary hours worked , with the rate set by the Australian Government.
From 1 July 2025, the SG Rate increased from 11.5% to 12% of your before-tax earnings for ordinary hours worked.
In addition to SG contributions, some employers may also make salary sacrifice contributions to your super.
Salary sacrifice contributions are amounts you choose to redirect from your before‑tax salary into super, and they’re treated as employer contributions for tax purposes. These contributions count toward your annual concessional contributions cap.
Am I entitled to super?
Generally, you’re entitled to receive SG employer contributions to super if you’re an employee (full time, part time or casual) and aged 18 or over. Those under 18 are required to work more than 30 hours per week to be entitled to receive SG contributions.
If you think you’re not getting paid the correct amount of super, discuss it with your employer or visit the ATO website to recover missed or unpaid super.
How are employer contributions paid?
When starting a new job, your super contributions must be paid to:
- Your chosen fund (find out how to nominate us as your chosen fund), or
- Your stapled fund (if you have not made a choice), or
- Your employer’s default fund (if you have not made a choice and don’t have a stapled fund).
Letting my employer know
There are two ways you can nominate Australian Ethical Super as your chosen fund to receive future SG contributions:
Send an email to your employer
To get your super paid into your account, you can send the email template below to your employer:
You may also need to provide a:
- Notice of Compliance (also called a Letter of Compliance)
- Choice of superannuation fund form
Alternatively, give your employer these details
|
USI / SPIN |
AET0100AU |
|
ABN |
49 633 667 743 |
|
Fund Name |
Australian Ethical Super |
|
Phone number |
1800 021 227 |
|
Fund address |
GPO Box 3117 |
If you’re not already an Australian Ethical member, join us and then provide your employer with the above details.
Things you should know:
-
Your employer is not liable for the performance of the super fund you or they nominate
-
You shouldn't seek financial advice from your employer unless they are licensed to provide it
-
Your employer has two months after you send them the email to action your request
Explore more ways to strengthen your financial future
Your employer super contributions are just one part of building long-term financial security. If aligning your money with your values is important to you, our approach begins with our ethical charter and extends into how we invest responsibly to shape a better world.
If you’d like a clearer picture of the protection that comes with your super, you can explore how insurance works within your account and the types of support available if life takes an unexpected turn. Beyond superannuation, you may also want to explore how ethical investing fits into your broader goals, whether through our managed funds or our ETF, both designed to help you grow your wealth while supporting positive change.
Employer contributions (including most salary‑sacrifice contributions) are generally taxed at 15% when they are received by your super fund. This rate may be different in certain situations - for example, if your concessional contributions exceed the annual cap or if you are a high‑income earner subject to Division 293 tax. You can find more detail on the ATO website.
Employers are required to make contributions at least quarterly, and they generally have up to 28 days after the end of each quarter to make these payments. Once contributions are received and processed, they will appear in your account. Processing times can vary depending on your employer’s payment method and any clearing‑house arrangements.
You’ll usually see employer super contributions appear in your account shortly after your employer pays them to us. Employers generally have up to 28 days after the end of each quarter to make Super Guarantee payments, though some choose to pay monthly.
This information is based on current legislation and may change. For the latest rules and eligibility criteria, visit the ATO website.
Last updated: 17 March 2026.