Superannuation

Superannuation is an important part of your remuneration package with The University of Notre Dame Australia.

Super is money set aside over your lifetime to provide for your retirement. For most people, super begins when you start work and your employer starts paying a portion, on top of your salary or wages, into a super fund account for you. Your super fund invests and manages this money for you until you retire.

The University contributes employer superannuation for full and part-time, in accordance with the Enterprise Agreement. For casual and sessional staff, the minimum superannuation guarantee is applied.

As an employee of the University, you are entitled to change your nominated superannuation fund and make voluntary contributions to your superannuation. This is available to continuing, fixed-term and casual staff. Entitlements vary depending on the nature of your employment. Please refer to the frequently asked questions below to determine what entitlements apply to you.

Supplying and updating your Super

The University provides the ability for staff to change superannuation details in accordance with the Treasury Laws Amendment (Your Superannuation, Your Choice) Act 2020. Before requesting a change to your superannuation contributions please consider the following:

  • It is the responsibility of anyone considering superannuation changes to seek their own financial advice if required.
  • Changing your superannuation details with the University will not change any previous contributions to superannuation funds. It will be your responsibility to consolidate your superannuation if required.
  • The University does not create new superannuation accounts on behalf of employees, it is your responsibility to do this and ensure accounts are active before changing your fund details with the University.

New staff
When you accept your offer of employment, you will be prompted to elect your preferred super fund by completing the Super Choice Form. Superannuation details must be provided as per instructions in the onboarding process. If you do not elect a valid super fund, the university will hold your payment for two pays, this will enable the University to set you up with our default super fund, Unisuper.

Existing staff
You can update/change your super fund via Payroll Service Portal. Note that the fund must be an approved super fund or self managed fund.

Contributing to your Super

You can make regular additional payments to your super fund either pre-tax (salary sacrifice) or post-tax. For further information on pre or post tax contributions speak with your financial advisor or superannuation fund directly.

Changes to your superannuation can be actioned via the Payroll Service Portal.

For UniSuper DBD (Defined Benefit Division) members, please use the following forms to change your contributions:

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the Universities default superannuation fund?

    Unisuper is the Universities default super fund.

  • Can I join UniSuper?

    Yes, UniSuper is the Universities default super fund and is open to new members. For new staff this option will be provided to you as part of your onboarding documents. For existing staff you can contact UniSuper to open an account and opt to enter the Defined Benefit Plan or the standard option.

  • How do I change my superannuation fund or voluntary contributions?

    Staff can change their superannuation details and contributions via the Payroll Service Portal. No approval from a line manager is required.

  • How often can I change my superannuation fund or voluntary contributions?

    You can change your superannuation fund once per annum. If you have recently joined the University you will have the opportunity to nominate your fund during the onboarding process. You can then change your fund 12 months after your employment commenced.

    Voluntary contributions can be changed at any time, noting that there are days within the pay cycle that the PeopleSoft system is locked for changes while the pay run is being processed.

  • When do changes apply?

    Changes to superannuation or voluntary contributions will apply from the next pay date.

  • Can I back date my contributions?

    No, the changes apply from the next pay date forward and cannot be retrospectively applied.

  • Can I change to a self managed superannuation fund?

    Yes, you can nominate a self managed fund in the Payroll Service Portal and details of the self managed fund will need to be provided to Payroll via document uploads.

  • I am a Unisuper member with a defined benefits plan – can I change my super?

    If you have been a defined benefit member for more than 2 years, contact UniSuper to discuss options.

    If you have been a defined benefit member for less than 2 years, please contact the Payroll Service Portal for the offline application form.

    If you're unsure how long you've been a defined benefit member, pleases contact the Payroll Service Portal.

    Defined benefit members can opt to move to the Accumulation 2 plan with Unisuper within 2 years of becoming a defined benefits member. Individuals on an Accumulation fund can change to an alternative superannuation fund.

    Unisuper members should contact Unisuper directly in the first instance with any queries relating to membership and plans.

  • I am a Unisuper member with an Accumulation plan – can I change my super?

    Yes, if you are on an Accumulation plan, you can change to an alternative superannuation fund.

  • I am a Unisuper member and I’m not sure which plan I am on?

    If you have a member online account with Unisuper you can check your account details online. Or contact Unisuper directly with any queries relating to membership and plans.

  • I am a casual staff member – can I change my super?

    Yes, superannuation and voluntary contribution changes are available to casual staff. If you have more than one casual contract you can nominate to change your voluntary contributions on one or all of your contracts.

    Noting that casual staff can only nominate contributions by percentage and not by a fixed amount.

  • I have more than one employment contract with the University – can I change just one?

    The nominated superannuation fund must be the same for all active employment contracts. You can change voluntary contributions for one or all of your contracts by different amounts.

  • I recently started employment with the University – can I change my super fund?

    During onboarding, superannuation details are to be provided. If they're not provided within the first fortnight, your employer super contributions will be automatically stapled* to your existing super account. If no stapled fund is found, you will be placed on the University's default UniSuper fund. Plans cannot be updated for the next 12 months.

    *A stapled fund is an existing superannuation account which is linked to an individual so that it follows them as they change employers.

  • Can I voluntarily contribute 100% of my salary to superannuation?

    Increasing your contribution to superannuation to 100% will result in you receiving no salary payment into your bank account for the pay period(s). If you want to contribute 100% of your salary to superannuation, please contact the Payroll Service Portal to discuss further.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact our Payroll team.
Payroll Service Portal