The ATO has introduced online commencement forms that make it easier and more accurate for new employees to provide their tax file number and superannuation details. These forms replace the traditional paper “TFN Declaration” versions and help reduce errors for both employers and employees.
What Employees Can Complete Online
New employees can now complete the following forms through their myGov account (linked to ATO Online Services):
- Tax file number (TFN) declaration
- Superannuation Standard Choice form
- Withholding declaration
- Medicare levy variation declaration
These forms are pre-filled with information the ATO already holds, which helps minimise mistakes and ensures the correct tax is withheld.
When Employees Should Use the Online Forms
Employees should complete the ATO online forms when:
- Starting a new job
- Their circumstances change and tax withholding needs to be updated
- They want their super paid into a different super fund
If you already use your own approved electronic onboarding form, employees should follow your process instead of the ATO online version.
Employees can also see their current and past tax and super details in ATO Online Services. They do not need to submit a new form unless something has changed.
How Employees Access the Forms
Employees can complete their pre-filled online forms by logging into myGov → ATO Online Services → Employment → New employment.
To complete the forms, employees will need:
- Your Business’ ABN
- Their employment type (full time, part time, casual)
- Details of their chosen super fund
- If selecting your default super fund:
- Fund name
- USI
- ABN
Some of this information will already be pre-filled to speed up the process.
What Happens After Employees Complete the Forms
Once submitted online, employees must print the Employee Tax and Super Details Summary and give it to you.
- You enter the details into your payroll system
- You keep a copy for your records
- Do not send a copy to the ATO—they receive it automatically through your STP compliant payroll system
For security reasons, employees should not email these details. Emailing personal information increases fraud risk.
If employees make a mistake, they can update their details online and provide you with a new summary.
Super Fund Options
Employees can compare super fund options or select a new fund using the ATO’s personalised YourSuper comparison tool through myGov.
Sample Form
Here is an example of what the final form looks like:
Employee tax and super details form example