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In fact, Rice Warner estimated that there will be $4.79trn in funds under management in 2033.
The Hayne Royal Commission shone a spotlight on the superannuation industry – with consumers voting with their feet, and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) working on frameworks to better protect consumers and deliver member outcomes.
APRA’s finalised package of measures was due to take effect on 1 January 2020 to address areas for improvement in the regulatory framework and improve member outcomes. While some initiatives, including APRA’s inaugural Superannuation Heatmap, were successfully launched – many changes have been delayed due to COVID and the reprioritisation away from regulatory reform towards member support.
After a rocky 12 months, the reform agenda is back on the table with notable changes impacting both superannuation funds and employers – like the increases in the Superannuation Guarantee – and from the end of this year superannuation funds will automatically follow employees throughout their careers.
This last one will be achieved through the extension of how Tax File Numbers are used, and while seemingly a small change, is revolutionary in terms of how superannuation funds source new members. So in theory, if a young person gets a retail job during university, the superannuation fund they join then will follow them for the next few decades unless they make the conscious decision to change funds. It’s potentially a different kind of “set and forget”.
We are also seeing activity off the back of the Heatmap that was introduced in December 2019 with APRA following through on their commitment to “name and shame” and sanction providers that they deem to be underperforming. An interesting twist that may yet cause issues – while a superannuation fund is under sanction they cannot accept contributions for members. The question from employers will be, where do those contributions go in the meantime?
The ultimate aim of regulatory reform in the superannuation sector is to increase transparency and improve member outcomes. This may require a change in thinking, business strategy and systems to ensure they can meet new obligations.
Proactive stress testing to manage macroeconomic risk, strengthen financial stability and banking
In July 2025, we wrote about the Federal Court’s decision in S.N.A Group Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2025] FCA 240, which was widely seen as a ‘commercial reality’ endorsement for inter entity service fee arrangements in closely held groups – where documentation is known to be imperfect.
The AUSTRAC AML/CTF Starter Programs provide a structured pathway to achieving AML/CTF compliance that will significantly reduce the effort and cost of AML/CTF compliance for entities required to meet AML/CTF obligations under Tranche 2.
