What it is, how to claim it when you leave, and what happens if your employer doesn't pay.
Superannuation is Australia's mandatory retirement savings system. Your employer must contribute 11.5% of your ordinary earnings into a super fund on your behalf — on top of your wage. As an international student, you can usually claim this back as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) when you leave Australia permanently.
When you start a new job, your employer will ask you to nominate a super fund. You can choose any fund — popular options for workers include Australian Super, Hostplus and REST. If you don't choose, your employer will use their default fund. Create an account on your chosen fund's website before your first day.
Provide your super fund's Unique Superannuation Identifier (USI) and your member account number to your employer. They will use this to make contributions on your behalf.
Log into your super fund account and check that contributions are appearing after each pay period. Employers must pay super at least quarterly, though most pay more frequently. You can also see all your super accounts in myGov under the ATO.
Once your student visa has expired or been cancelled and you have left Australia, you can apply for the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment. Apply online through the ATO's DASP portal. A withholding tax rate of 65% applies to the taxed component — this is unavoidable.
Employers are legally required to pay super. If you check your super account and contributions are not appearing, contact the ATO. You can report non-payment anonymously. The ATO recovers unpaid super and pays it to you.
Consolidating multiple super accounts into one is generally good advice — but do it carefully. If you have multiple small accounts, consolidate before leaving to simplify your DASP claim.