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Policy & Research

We undertake evidence-based advocacy to influence public policy settings which ensure the best retirement outcomes for fund members.

Best Practice Papers

ASFA Best Practice Papers are only available to ASFA organisational members. You can find out more about becoming an organisational member in the Membership section.

ASFA’s Best Practice Papers are intended to provide superannuation funds and their service providers with information about an array of concepts, processes and methodologies to address relevant issues.

The consultative approach used to prepare Best Practice Papers, which includes contributions from industry representatives means that the findings, models and methodologies contained in them are representative of the highest (and most independent) thinking available from a diverse cross-section of the industry.

The concepts contained in Best Practice Papers provide a considered analysis of the key issues, together with sound and prudent principles that can be developed and adapted to your organisation’s particular situation. However, careful consideration should be given, including rigorous testing, before deciding whether or not to implement the processes outlined in this paper to ensure they are suitable and relevant for your particular circumstances.

ASFA has rationalised the number of Best Practice Papers it will maintain and update. A number of past papers have been withdrawn and do not appear below. Withdrawn papers are no longer considered current and should not be relied upon.

For queries in relation to ASFA’s Best Practice Papers, contact Julia Stannard.

Current Best Practice Papers

Planning for a Possible Pandemic

Best Practice Paper No. 31
Updated: Mar 2020
 

This updated version of Best Practice Paper 31: Planning for a Possible Pandemic is designed to provide superannuation fund trustees, fund employees and services providers with assistance in developing their pandemic plan.

Insourcing Investment Management

Best Practice Paper No. 36
Updated: Nov 2016
 

Investing is a core capability of super funds. Traditionally, it has been outsourced, but in recent years there is a trend towards insourcing parts of the function. Trustees may face recommendations from management or consultants to insource. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the challenges facing Trustees who are considering those recommendations.

It draws on research and current practice of funds, investment managers, consultants and academics to identify the elements of governance, process and risk management, which together, could be seen to reasonably represent best practice. The concepts contained in this paper provide a considered analysis of the key issues, together with sound and prudent principles that can be developed and adapted to your organisation’s particular situation.

Negotiating investment management agreements

Best Practice Paper No. 12
Updated: Sep 2014

ASFA template IMA
Updated: Jan 2022

 

ASFA has developed BPP 12 Negotiating Investment Management Agreements (IMAs) to:

  • provide the context of preparing an IMA and guidance to trustees around negotiating and drafting IMAs
  • provide a regulatory checklist mapping the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act (SIS Act) and Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) requirements for IMAs
  • includes a template IMA. Minor updates were made to the template IMA in January 2022 to improve its operation following a review process.