All Australian businesses have responsibilities when it comes to managing superannuation for their employees. As the industry super fund for the building and construction industry, Cbus aims to maximise retirement outcomes for members and make super hassle-free for businesses.
Here is a simple checklist to cover the top things a business needs to know when it comes to meeting their obligations as an employer:
Paying compulsory superannuation
Under Superannuation Guarantee legislation, the current super contribution rate payable to your employees is 9.5% of ordinary time earnings (OTE).
However, this rate may be higher if there is an Industrial or Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) in place.
Super contributions do not have to be paid for:
- employees who earn less than $450 (before tax) per calendar month
- employees who are under 18 years old, and work 30 hours or less per week.
Find out more about when to pay super and tax and superannuation.
Giving employees ‘choice’ of super fund
When a new employee is eligible to choose their own super fund, you need to provide them with a Standard Choice Form within 28 days from their start date.
If your new employee doesn’t elect to choose a specific super fund, you must pay their super contributions into your nominated ‘default’ fund.
Choosing a default fund
A default super fund is the super fund that your business nominates as the best fit to take care of the superannuation needs for all your employees. It’s important to choose a fund that acts in the best interests of your business, and your employees.
By choosing Cbus as your default super fund, you’ll join the leading industry super fund for the construction, building and allied industries.
Keeping your records
As a business, you need to keep the following records in English for five years:
- records showing the Standard Choice Form has been provided to all eligible employees
- details of employees who do not have to be offered a Standard Choice Form
- documents issued by the super fund showing you have made super contributions to an employee’s chosen fund (for example, annual record of contributions statement)
- records confirming that your chosen default super fund is a complying fund. This is usually found online, on the super fund’s website.
Supplying Tax File Numbers
When an employee provides you with their Tax File Number (TFN), by law as their employer – you’re required to provide this information to their super fund within 14 days or when you make the first contribution on their behalf.
If a TFN is not provided, your employee will be unable to make any additional personal contributions and they may pay more tax on their super as a result.
For more information, visit the ATO website or call 13 10 20.
Contact Cbus
Cbus is here to help make super simple for businesses. To learn more about your super obligations as a business, or for help with all your super needs, call Cbus on 1300 361 784 or visit cbussuper.com.au
Cbus in WA
To meet with your local Cbus representative in WA, contact James Moore on 0437 688 538.
This information is about Cbus. It doesn’t take into account your specific needs, so you should look at your own business needs and objectives before making any financial decisions. Read the Cbus Employer Handbook and other relevant documents to decide whether Cbus is right for you. Call 1300 361 784 or visit www.cbussuper.com.au for a copy.