{"id":"F2017L01262","name":"Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Tax File Number approval No. 1 of 2017","slug":"superannuation-industry-supervision-tax-file-number-approval-no-1-of-2017","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":97180,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2017L01262-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Tax File Number approval No. 1 of 2017","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\nSuperannuation Industry (Supervision) Tax File Number approval No. 1 of 2017\n\nSuperannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993\n\nI, Helen Rowell, a delegate of APRA, under subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 and sections 299E, 299G, 299P, 299S, 299M and 299N of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (the Act) REVOKE Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Tax File Number approval No. 1 of 2007, dated 27 June 2007, including the Schedule made under that Approval,\n\nAND\n\n(a) under subsection 299E(1) of the Act, APPROVE the manner, set out in paragraphs 1 to 5 of the Schedule, of a trustee of an eligible superannuation entity (other than a SMSF) or of a regulated exempt public sector superannuation scheme, requesting that a beneficiary, or an applicant to become a beneficiary, of the entity or scheme quote their tax file number in connection with the operation or the possible future operation of the Act and the other Superannuation Acts;\n\n(b) under subsection 299G(1) of the Act, APPROVE the manner, set out in paragraphs 1 to 5 of the Schedule, of a trustee of an eligible superannuation entity (other than a SMSF) requesting that a beneficiary of the entity or scheme quote their tax file number in connection with the operation or the possible future operation of the Acts referred to in that subsection;\n\n(c) under section 299P of the Act, APPROVE, for the purposes of section 299D of the Act, the manner, set out in paragraph 6 of the Schedule, for a beneficiary, or an applicant to become a beneficiary, of an eligible superannuation entity (other than a SMSF) or a regulated exempt public sector superannuation scheme, to quote their tax file number to a trustee of the entity or scheme in connection with the operation or possible future operation of the Act and the other Superannuation Acts;\n\n(d) under paragraph 299S(1)(b) of the Act, APPROVE the manner set out in paragraph 6 of the Schedule, of a person setting out their tax file number in an application to the trustee of an eligible superannuation entity (including a SMSF) or of a regulated exempt public sector superannuation scheme for payment of a benefit;\n\n(e) under subsection 299M(2) of the Act, APPROVE the manner, set out in paragraphs 7 and 8 of the Schedule, of a trustee of an eligible superannuation entity informing an RSA provider, a trustee of another eligible superannuation entity (other than a SMSF) or of a regulated exempt public sector superannuation scheme, of a beneficiary’s tax file number; and\n\n(f) under subsection 299N(2) of the Act, APPROVE the manner, set out in paragraphs 7 and 8 of the Schedule, of a trustee of a regulated exempt public sector superannuation scheme informing an RSA provider or a trustee of a regulated exempt public sector superannuation scheme or of an eligible superannuation entity, of a beneficiary’s tax file number.\n\nThis instrument commences on 1 October 2017.\n\nDated: 20 September 2017\n\n\\[Signed\\]\n\nHelen Rowell\n\nDeputy Chairman\n\nAPRA\n\nInterpretation\n\nIn this Approval:\n\nAPRA means the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.\n\neligible superannuation entity has the meaning in section 10 of the Act.\n\nregulated exempt public sector superannuation scheme has the meaning in section 299W of the Act.\n\nRSA provider has the meaning in section 10 of the Act.\n\nSMSF means a self managed superannuation fund.\n\nself managed superannuation fund has the meaning in section 10 of the Act.\n\nSuperannuation Acts has the meaning in section 299W of the Act.\n\ntax file number has the meaning in section 299W of the Act.\n\n  \nSchedule\n\nSuperannuation (Industry) Supervision Act 1993\n\nManner of trustee requesting tax file number\n\n1.  Before the beneficiary, or the applicant to become a beneficiary, provides their tax file number to a trustee, the trustee must make available to the beneficiary, or applicant to become a beneficiary, free of charge and in such form as is appropriate the following information:\n\n(a) the trustee is authorised to collect, use and disclose their tax file number under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993. The trustee may disclose their tax file number to another superannuation provider, when their benefits are being transferred, unless they request the trustee in writing that their tax file number not be disclosed to any other superannuation provider;\n\n(b) declining to quote a tax file number to the trustee of a superannuation fund is not an offence. However, giving their tax file number will have the following advantages:\n\n(i) their superannuation fund will be able to accept all permitted types of contributions to their account/s;\n\n(ii) other than the tax that may ordinarily apply, they will not pay more tax than they need to. This affects both contributions to their superannuation and benefit payments when they start drawing down their superannuation benefits; and\n\n(iii) it will make it much easier to find different superannuation accounts in their name so that they receive all their superannuation benefits when they retire.\n\n2. The information in paragraph 1 may be told to the beneficiary, or applicant to become a beneficiary, orally or in writing.\n\n3. A trustee may provide information relating to the request for the tax file number in addition to the information in paragraph 1, provided it is not inconsistent with the information in paragraph 1.\n\n4. The information in paragraph 1 may be told to the beneficiary, or the applicant to become a beneficiary, using the following form of words:\n\nUnder the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993, your superannuation fund is authorised to collect, use and disclose your tax file number.\n\nThe trustee of your superannuation fund may disclose your tax file number to another superannuation provider, when your benefits are being transferred, unless you request the trustee of your superannuation fund in writing that your tax file number not be disclosed to any other superannuation provider.\n\nDeclining to quote your tax file number to the trustee of your superannuation fund is not an offence. However giving your tax file number to your superannuation fund will have the following advantages:\n\n-   your superannuation fund will be able to accept all permitted types of contributions to your account/s;\n\n-   other than the tax that may ordinarily apply, you will not pay more tax than you need to - this affects both contributions to your superannuation and benefit payments when you start drawing down your superannuation benefits; and\n\n-   it will make it much easier to find different superannuation accounts in your name so that you receive all your superannuation benefits when you retire.\n\n5. Nothing in this approval is intended to prevent a tax file number being requested or provided orally or in writing (including by means of electronic transfer of information).\n\nManner of a beneficiary or an applicant to become a beneficiary quoting or setting out tax file number\n\n6. A beneficiary, or an applicant to become a beneficiary, may quote or set out their tax file number to a trustee orally or in writing if the trustee has made a request that complies with paragraphs 1 to 5.\n\nManner of trustee informing a superannuation provider\n\n7. When informing a superannuation provider of a beneficiary’s tax file number, the trustee must do so in writing. However, a tax file number may subsequently be given orally to clarify or complete a tax file number given in writing.\n\n8. When informing a superannuation provider of a tax file number, the trustee must give the superannuation provider all information in the possession of the trustee that could reasonably help the superannuation provider to locate or identify the beneficiary and which the beneficiary would reasonably expect to be disclosed. However, the first trustee shall not be obliged to give the superannuation provider any information which the trustee has been asked or instructed by the beneficiary not to divulge.\n\nNote: In addition to the above, a trustee must also comply with any other tax file number obligations in Part 25A of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 and with the Privacy (Tax File Number) Rule 2015 issued by the Privacy Commissioner under section 17 of the Privacy Act 1988.\n\n  \nInterpretation\n\n9. In this Schedule:\n\nsuperannuation provider means the trustee of an eligible superannuation entity or regulated exempt public sector superannuation scheme, or an RSA provider within the meaning of section 16 of the Retirement Savings Accounts Act 1997;\n\ntrustee means a trustee of an entity or scheme referred to in paragraphs (a) - (f) as applicable, on the first and second pages of this instrument;\n\nin writing means all written forms of communication including by electronic and digital transfer of information.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument revokes the 2007 approval and re‑authorises the manner for requesting, quoting and disclosing TFNs, replacing the prior procedural approval. It formalises trustee duties to provide specified explanatory information before collection (Schedule paras 1–5), clarifies allowed modes for beneficiaries to quote TFNs (para 6), and imposes a written‑disclosure requirement plus an obligation to provide identifying details when informing other providers, subject to beneficiary instructions not to divulge (paras 7–8)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 and to defined terms in the instrument (preliminary pages).","Revocation of a prior instrument and re-approval creates transitional/interpretive attention for administrators (preamble).","Prescriptive procedural requirements for trustees to provide specified explanatory wording and information (Schedule paras 1–5).","Different permitted modes of communication (oral, written, electronic) with carve-outs and clarifications (Schedule paras 2, 5, 6, 9).","Obligation to supply 'all information...that could reasonably help' when transferring a TFN, balanced by a beneficiary's instruction not to divulge (Schedule paras 7–8).","Intersection with other statutory duties and external instruments (Part 25A of the Act and the Privacy (TFN) Rule) noted in the instrument (Schedule note)."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument revokes the 2007 TFN approval and sets the approved methods for trustees to request, beneficiaries to quote, and trustees to disclose tax file numbers for eligible superannuation entities and regulated public‑sector schemes. It requires trustees to give beneficiaries specific, free explanatory information before collecting a TFN (Schedule paras 1–5), permits quoting orally or in writing (para 6), and requires written disclosure to other superannuation providers with identifying details unless the beneficiary has instructed otherwise (paras 7–8)."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument maintains the same scope as its predecessor (the 2007 approval). It is a routine administrative instrument that updates procedural requirements for TFN handling without expanding beyond the original purpose of regulating how superannuation trustees collect, use and disclose tax file numbers under the SIS Act framework."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple overlapping approval authorities cited (6 different statutory provisions across sections 299E, 299G, 299P, 299S, 299M and 299N)","Nested entity definitions requiring cross-referencing to the parent Act (terms like 'eligible superannuation entity' and 'regulated exempt public sector superannuation scheme' are defined by reference to the SIS Act rather than defined in the instrument itself)","Differential application to SMSFs versus non-SMSF entities (some paragraphs apply to SMSFs, others explicitly exclude them)","Conditional logic in paragraph 8 regarding beneficiary instructions not to divulge information","Incorporation of external obligations by reference (Part 25A of SIS Act and Privacy (Tax File Number) Rule 2015)"],"plain_english_summary":"This APRA approval (replacing the 2007 approval, effective 1 Oct 2017) sets binding rules for how superannuation trustees request, receive and pass on members’ Tax File Numbers (including verbal or electronic provision) and how TFNs are shared when benefits transfer. It applies to most regulated funds and certain public sector schemes (not generally SMSFs).\n\nIt matters because it explains benefits of providing a TFN (tax and tracing), ensures members get privacy and refusal information before being asked, and limits TFN sharing during fund transfers."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/superannuation-industry-supervision-tax-file-number-approval-no-1-of-2017","history":"/api/acts/superannuation-industry-supervision-tax-file-number-approval-no-1-of-2017/history","analysis":"/api/acts/superannuation-industry-supervision-tax-file-number-approval-no-1-of-2017/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/superannuation-industry-supervision-tax-file-number-approval-no-1-of-2017/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/superannuation-industry-supervision-tax-file-number-approval-no-1-of-2017/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/superannuation-industry-supervision-tax-file-number-approval-no-1-of-2017/documents"}}