By Paul Feeney, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Otivo
Change jobs and almost everything resets, new payslip, new email, new desk. Your super is the exception. It stays exactly where it was, and since 2021 it's designed to follow you automatically rather than spawn a new account each time. That's a quiet win, as long as you know how it works and what still needs your attention. Here's what actually happens to your super when you move on.
When you change jobs, your super account stays with you rather than closing. Under super stapling, introduced in 2021, your existing fund follows you to a new employer automatically unless you choose a different one. And since 1 July 2026, under the payday super rules, your employer must pay your super guarantee on each payday rather than quarterly, with the contribution needing to reach your fund within seven business days of payday.
Does my super account change when I change jobs?
No. Your super account belongs to you, not your employer, so it stays open and keeps being invested when you leave a job. The balance your former employer built up stays put, and your new employer simply starts paying into a fund on your behalf. Nothing is lost in the move, though it does become your job to make sure the contributions land in the account you actually want.
How does super stapling work?
Stapling is the rule that stops a new account being created every time you start a job. Since November 2021, most employees are stapled to their existing super fund, which means a new employer pays your super guarantee into that same fund automatically unless you nominate a different one. Before stapling, starting a job often meant defaulting into the employer's chosen fund, which is how so many Australians ended up with a trail of accounts behind them. The change was designed to stop that trail forming in the first place.
What happens to the super my old employer paid?
It stays in the fund and keeps working. The contributions your previous employer made remain invested, continue to earn returns, and are still yours in full. You can leave that money where it is, or you can roll it into another fund if you'd prefer to bring everything together. Either way it doesn't disappear or revert to anyone else.
What should I check when I start a new job?
A few minutes at the start saves headaches later. It helps to think of three things to check, your fund, your details, and your insurance. First, decide whether to keep your stapled fund or nominate a different one, using your employer's standard choice form. Second, confirm your fund and member details are recorded correctly so contributions aren't misdirected. Third, check any insurance attached to your existing account, since letting an old account lapse can quietly cancel cover you were relying on.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get a new super account with each job?
Not automatically. Since stapling began in 2021, your existing fund generally follows you, so a new account is only created if you actively choose one or don't have an existing eligible fund.
When does my new employer have to pay my super?
Since 1 July 2026, employers pay super guarantee on each payday rather than quarterly. The contribution generally needs to reach your fund within seven business days of payday, though some exceptions apply, including a longer window for contributions for new employees.
What happens to my super insurance when I change jobs?
Insurance is attached to the super account it sits in, so it generally continues while that account stays open and funded. Problems tend to arise only when an old account is closed or runs out of money, which can cancel the cover.
Can I choose my own super fund at a new job?
Yes. You can nominate your preferred fund using the choice form your employer provides. If you don't, your stapled fund is used, and only if there isn't one does the employer's default apply.
Changing jobs is a natural moment to check your super is doing what you want it to. Otivo, a licensed Australian financial advice platform holding AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 485665, offers a retirement planning module that shows how your current super is tracking and what could improve your position, based on your age, income, balance and goals. It's a useful pause point when your working life shifts.
Sources
- Australian Taxation Office — super stapling, choosing a super fund, keeping track of your super and payday super — ato.gov.au
- ASIC MoneySmart — choosing a super fund and consolidating super — moneysmart.gov.au
Disclaimer
The information in this communication is current as at July 2026 and has been prepared by Otivo Pty Ltd ABN 47 602 457 732, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 485665. This content is general information only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not personal financial or taxation advice and should not be relied on as such. Before acting on any information, you should consider its appropriateness having regard to your personal circumstances. This material must not be reproduced in whole or in part, or posted on any social media platform, without the prior written consent of Otivo Pty Ltd.