ato logo
Search Suggestion:

Examples – SMSFs and SuperStream

Examples of how SuperStream works in different SMSF situations.

Last updated 18 August 2021

Example 1: Unrelated employer

You're an SMSF trustee receiving contributions from a small employer (19 or fewer employees).

Your employer plans to:

  • use a clearing house that will make super contributions on their behalf in the SuperStream standard
  • start making contributions using SuperStream from 28 April 2016.

Your employer asks you to provide your SMSF details by 28 February 2016 (60 days before the start date) to help them get ready. As requested, you advise your employer of your SMSF's ABN, bank account details and electronic service address, and they update their payroll records.

Your employer sends their contribution data and payments to the clearing house for processing. The clearing house will use your SMSF details to send your contributions payment to your nominated SMSF bank account. The associated contributions message will be sent to the electronic service address you provided to your employer.

As the trustee, you will be able to login to your administrator’s portal to view the message and confirm the payment and data reconcile.

Example 2: SMSF receives contributions only from family business

SuperSavings SMSF has been established for your family, and all members of the SMSF are either owners or employees of the family business. No members receive contributions from other employers.

Because of the direct link between ownership of the family business and membership of the SMSF, the SMSF meets the related party exemption. This means the SMSF doesn't need to receive contributions sent using SuperStream.

Your family business also has other employees who belong to other super funds. Your business will need to use SuperStream to send employer contributions to their funds.

Example 3: SMSF receives contributions from family business and other employers

The SMSF has three members. You're self-employed (and meet the related party exemption) and your wife and son work for other (non-related) employers. Because the SMSF receives contributions from non-related party employers, it needs to be able to receive employer contributions sent using SuperStream.

Your wife and son must provide their employers with details of the SMSF's ABN, bank account and electronic service address so their employers can implement SuperStream.

Example 4: SMSF member requests a rollover from their APRA fund

You're a new member of SuperSavings SMSF and have an existing account with an APRA fund. You want to request a rollover of your whole balance with the APRA fund into your new SMSF. You can request this transfer using ATO online services or the paper form. From 1 October 2021, your SMSF must be able to receive the rollover via SuperStream. Where your SMSF cannot interact via SuperStream, you cannot roll money into or out of your SMSF.

Example 5: SMSF member elects to release excess contributions

You're a member of SuperSavings SMSF and have made an election to release an amount of excess contributions from your fund via ATO online services. Your SMSF is not required to use SuperStream to receive the release authority.

If your SMSF can't receive the release authority using SuperStream, the release authority will be posted and must be actioned manually.

Where your SMSF can receive the release authority using SuperStream, the request is received and processed faster – so you receive your money sooner.

Example 6: SMSF changes ESA to facilitate a SuperStream rollover

Your existing SMSF has an electronic service address (ESA) with an SMSF messaging provider. The ESA is used to receive contributions from your employer. However, this SMSF messaging provider does not provide SuperStream rollover services.

After 30 September 2021, a new or existing member wishes to rollover superannuation to your SMSF.

Your SMSF must engage an SMSF messaging provider that allows SuperStream rollovers and inform us of this change.

Any members receiving employer contributions via SuperStream must at this time also inform their employer of the SMSF's new ESA.

Your SMSF can revert back to the previous ESA (if still engaged with that provider) once the rollover has been completed if they choose to. Members will again need to notify their employers of the change in ESA.

Example 7: Rolling out member balances on wind up requires SuperStream

Your SMSF doesn't receive contributions from unrelated employers and therefore has not used SuperStream.

After 30 September 2021, the trustees of your SMSF decide that they no longer have the time or capacity to do all that is required to manage the SMSF and they intend to wind it up.

You begin to roll out your superannuation in the SMSF to an APRA fund.

From 1 October 2021, where your SMSF cannot interact via SuperStream, you cannot roll money out of your SMSF including at wind up.

To use SuperStream your SMSF needs:

  • an electronic service address (ESA)
  • an Australian business number (ABN)
  • to ensure your SMSF details are up to date with us including your SMSF's bank account.
End of example

QC47553