Super Alert – 31 July 2026: ATO guidance re Member Verification Requests and Superstream NPP register guidance release
Welcome to the weekly KHQ Super Alert. This week, the ATO released guidance on Member Verification Requests and SuperStream New Payments Platform registers. Meanwhile Treasury called for feedback on draft regulations that would extend an exemption for certain add-on insurance products.
ATO – Guidance for super funds on Member Verification Requests
On 29 July 2026, the ATO published guidance designed to clarify a ‘Payday Super myth’ for superannuation funds. The guidance confirms that super funds must respond to Member Verification Requests (MVRs) as soon as practicable, and no later than 24 hours after receiving a request. This response is known as a member verification outcome response. This is contrary to the ‘myth’ that funds were not required to respond.
‘MVRs allow employers to verify that an employee’s super fund details are valid and can be accepted by the fund before a contribution is made. This helps reduce common errors that can prevent contributions from reaching the employee’s super fund.’
Click here for details.
ATO – Superstream NPP register guidance release
On 27 July 2026, the ATO released guidance with respect to the latest versions of the SuperStream New Payments Platform (NPP) Register and the SuperStream NPP Deferral Register.
The SuperStream NPP Register lists super funds that accept payments via the NPP. To have a fund listed on the register, trustees must email the ATO and provide the details specified in the register for the relevant fund.
The SuperStream NPP Deferral Register lists funds that are currently unable to receive payments via the NPP. Where a fund cannot receive NPP payments, trustees must notify the ATO as soon as possible with the information required to support the deferral.
Click here for details.
Treasury consultation – Exposure draft regulations for add-on insurance class exemptions
On 27 July 2026, Treasury requested submissions on draft regulations which propose to extend the existing exemption for certain add-on insurance products from the deferred sales model which arose in response to the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry in 2019.
According to Treasury information, ‘[t]he deferred sales model is set out in the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (ASIC Act). It enables consumers to make informed decisions about add-on insurance product purchases by introducing a four-day deferral period between the sale of the primary product and the sale of the add-on insurance to the consumer. This pause, or ‘deferral period’, allows and encourages consumers to consider the merits of the insurance offered and to compare it with alternative products.’
Currently, superannuation-related add-on insurance products are exempt from the deferred sales model until 5 October 2026. The draft regulations propose to extend the operation of the exemption until 5 October 2031.
The consultation closes on 7 August 2026.
Click here for details.
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