Super when you change jobs

Not only is it completely normal to change jobs in your career — it's likely.

1.1 million people changed employers in the year ending February 2025 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Sometimes it's for happy reasons: you get headhunted to the perfect new role. Sometimes it's not in your control: maybe your job was made redundant and you had to find a new one, or you burned out and had to leave before you wanted to.

There are other reasons to take time out of the workforce too: like raising a family, going back to study, or taking a break.

The average person's career lasts around 45 years according to the University of Queensland, with a job change every 2 years and 9 months or so.

So not only is it completely normal to change jobs in your career — it's also likely.

The thing is, in the excitement of a job change, there's one thing people can forget.

What happens to your super when you change jobs?

Generally, your super will stay in its current account, and any new employer contributions will also be paid into your existing account, unless you set up something different.

Here's why.

1. Your new employer should ask for your super details during onboarding.

It's mandatory for Aussie employers to pay super to their employees, even if they're casual, part-time, or contract workers. (If you're under 18, you'll have to work 30 hours per week before you get paid super, but that's generally the only caveat.)

2. You may have to fill in a superannuation standard choice form.

This makes sure your employer has your super details, including your:

Super fund's ABN: This is an Australian Business Number. Every Aussie business should have one.

The Spaceship Super USI is 43 905 581 638 020, and the Spaceship Super ABN is 43 905 581 638.

Your new employer may give you a paper copy of the form to fill in. It's also available online through myGov, where some existing super details should be pre-filled.

3. If you don't share your details, your new employer should still find them.

They can use your name, date of birth and tax file number to find your super account details through the ATO.

This is because, thanks to 2021 legislation, you're 'stapled' to your existing super fund so it should follow you to your new job.

Theoretically, this means you shouldn't have to do anything for your super to end up in the right place, but it's still a good idea to be proactive.

What superannuation details should you give your employer?

When you start a new job, you'll usually provide your employer with your super details.

Be ready to provide:

How to find your superannuation member number

When you belong to a super fund, you're called a 'member'. Super members are a super fund's customers, essentially. This means you get a member number to identify your unique account, called your super member number. You can generally find your superannuation member number when you open correspondence from your super fund, or log in online.

To find your super member number, if you're a Spaceship Super member, you just need to open the Spaceship app, tap Super, and then Membership details.

What if you don't have a super fund yet?

Most people sign up for their first super accounts with their first jobs. If you've had a job before, you may actually have super hiding out in an account somewhere.

If you're not sure if you have a super fund, here's how to find and check.

If you know you don't have a super fund, we've put this guide together for you.

Should you switch super funds when you change jobs?

New job, new super fund? That depends on a few things.

Some people may take the opportunity to review their finances and consider if their super is still right for them.

In general, people switch super funds if they're unhappy with performance, fees, or their needs are no longer met for other reasons.

If you're unhappy with your super fund, generally you can change it at any time. You don't have to wait until you get a new job.

If you're unsure, this is where a licensed financial professional such as an accountant or financial planner can help.

If you have more than one super account, how can you consolidate them?

In the superannuation world, combining all your super into one account is called 'consolidation'. Because your super is linked to your tax file number, it's easy to consolidate it through the ATO. But before you do that, it's worth thinking through what it might mean.

If you consolidate your super into one account, it means you'll only pay one set of fees, your admin might be easier, and you only have to keep track of one balance. However, you might lose some benefits from your old fund that your new fund doesn't have, for example, insurance.

If you choose to leave them separate, you're more likely to pay more than one set of fees, and it may be trickier to manage.

You don't have to decide as soon as you get your new job. You can generally change and consolidate funds at any time.

If you do want to consolidate your super, and you're a Spaceship customer, you can get the process started by logging in to the Spaceship app.

What if you have lost or unclaimed super?

If you've been out of the workforce for a little while, and you haven't been contributing to your super, there's a chance the ATO will consider it to be 'inactive'. This is especially true if you have a low balance, which the ATO says is below $6,000.

Inactive, low-balance super accounts get transferred to the ATO if they've had no contributions or rollovers for 16 months and meet other criteria. If your super gets transferred to the ATO because you have a low, inactive balance, the ATO will try to consolidate it into a more active super fund on your behalf. Your super fund should contact you before this happens.

Inactive super accounts have had no contributions or rollovers for five years. Uncontactable super accounts are when your fund has no way of contacting you — for example, if you change your name, address, or job. Both can get transferred to the ATO as unclaimed super.

If you have lost or unclaimed super, you should visit the ATO website for instructions, which are generally to check myGov as a first step.

If you believe you're owed superannuation and can't resolve it with your employer, you can follow their steps.