QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
QUT Business School
School of Accountancy
AYB240 Superannuation Regulation and Practice
SEMESTER ONE 2015
Research Project
(Weighting Total – 30%)
Due:
Monday 4th May 2015 at 8pm
Submission:
Both submission must occur prior to 8pm 4th May
Step 1 - Via Assignment Minder
Research Report & Assignment Cover sheet
Step 2 – Electronic Submission via Blackboard of word file
Further details under submission instructions
Type:
Individual
Length:
1500 words
This assessment item assesses the following Assurance of Learning Goals (AOLs):
Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.2
Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and
skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
Professional Communication (PC)
3.1
Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written
forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Social, Ethical and Global Understanding (SE)
5.1
Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing
and responding to business issues.
Late Assessment & Extensions
Assessment submitted after the due date will not be marked and will receive a grade of 1 or 0%. If
special circumstances prevent you from meeting the assessment due date, you can apply for an
extension. If you do not have an approved extension on the due date, you must submit what you
have completed by the due date and time of this assessment.
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Research Submission Instructions
 Complete the project as per the requirements set out below under “Research Project
Requirements”.
 Your research report must be typed, appropriately referenced and must not exceed
1,500 words, excluding the reference list. Appendices may be attached and do not form
part of the word limit.
 The printed report together with a copy of the assessment criteria sheet completed
with your details must be submitted via Assignment Minder. See the website
www.am.qut.edu.au for submission instructions.
 An electronic copy of the report must also be submitted via Blackboard (‘Assessment’
link). The electronic copy of the report should be in Word format and the file name
should be your family name followed by your first name initials (e.g. JonesS.doc). T
 The printed and electronic copies of the report must both be submitted by the
deadline.
 You should retain a copy of your report.
Research Report Instructions
 The research project is to be completed individually by students.
 Each student must select a superannuation fund for analysis from the list provided at
the end of this document.
 In this assessment you will need to compare superannuation funds and also compare
the investment options available in a particular fund. To do this you will use general
information about a fund, investment performance information, the Product Disclosure
Statement (PDS) and, if available, the ‘dashboard’ for an investment option. All of these
are available on each fund’s website.
 You are strongly encouraged to use the QUT cite|write guide (www.citewrite.qut.edu.au)
on citing, referencing and academic writing to assist you with the preparation of the
project report. Another useful resource is Starting Your Business Degree: Academic
Skills for Success by Ros McCulloch and Andrea Reid, published by the QUT Business
School in 2010.
Research Report Requirements
From the 1st of January 2014, employers are required to pay superannuation contributions
for employees who have not selected a fund to one that offers a MySuper product.
MySuper products should be simple and low cost, and offer either a single investment
strategy or a lifecycle strategy. There are strict requirements of MySuper in terms of
disclosure and these should make comparison of different funds easier. These funds are
also limited to the types of fees they can charge with MySuper products, which ensures
they remain low cost. MySuper products will also offer a default level of life and Total &
Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance.
Emily is a twenty-three year old student, studying in her final year of a combined Bachelor
of Arts/Environmental Science degree. For the past four years, she has worked in different
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industries and with different employers in a number of casual or part-time jobs while
managing her uni study, as well as volunteering for Greenpeace. She recently started a
new job waitressing at a café in Broadbeach and her employer has asked which
superannuation fund she wants her super to be paid into. Emily isn’t sure, as she has
several superannuation accounts in different funds. She has seen some advertisements
for MySuper recently and wonders if that is something she should be considering.
Your task is firstly, to choose a superannuation fund from the list below that Emily should
use and justify your choice. Secondly, determine if she would be better off using the
MySuper product of that fund, or another investment option(s) that fund offers. When
making your decision, you should give consideration to the following:






The differences between the funds in the list provided
Emily’s personal characteristics and preferences
The purpose of MySuper products
If the fund’s MySuper account meets the objective of MySuper
Is the MySuper account the best choice for Emily (why/why not)
What are the drawbacks of whichever investment option you propose.
Note: There is no right or wrong fund, but you will be assessed on how you decided which
fund to recommend. That means you should express a sound reason for selecting that
particular fund. Similarly, you will be assessed on which investment option(s) you propose
that best suits Emily’s circumstances. Please clearly state any assumptions you have
made in deriving your recommendations.
The word count is very limited so you will need to be succinct in your report. The content
of your report should reflect the marking structure (as per the criteria sheet). That is,
approximately half of the report should discuss the choice of fund and justification, and half
should discuss the choice of investment option within the chosen fund.
The level of analysis expected of students is in line with what you have learnt in AYB240.
Students are not expected to have extensive knowledge of investment analysis beyond
what is covered in this course.
Your analysis should be supported by reference to relevant concepts, peer-reviewed
literature, and authoritative pronouncements.
Possible Superannuation Funds:

Australian Ethical Retail Superannuation Fund

AustralianSuper

Club Plus Superannuation Scheme

Commonwealth Essential Super

HOSTPLUS Superannuation Fund

Sunsuper Superannuation Fund
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Research Project - Assessment Criteria Sheet
Part A: Analysis of superannuation funds
Criteria:
Social, Ethical and
Global
Understanding
(SE5.1)
Application of
theory and skills in
comparing
superannuation
funds
Higher Order
Thinking (HO2.2)
Recommendation
of the chosen
superannuation
fund with
reference to the
member
7
6
5
4
<4
5
You demonstrated an
expert understanding
of relevant concepts,
principles and
practices in a
thorough comparison
of the super funds.
4
You demonstrated a
comprehensive
understanding of
relevant concepts,
principles and
practices in
comparing the super
funds.
3
You demonstrated
an adequate
understanding of
relevant concepts,
principles and
practices in
comparing the super
funds.
2.5
You demonstrated
only a very basic
understanding of
relevant concepts,
principles and
practices in
comparing the super
funds.
0-2
You demonstrated a
lack of understanding
of relevant concepts,
principles and
practices in
comparing the super
funds.
Suggestion was
considered and highly
appropriate to the
member’s situation.
Convincing judgement
and reasoning for
selecting the fund was
professionally
presented.
Suggestion was
appropriate to the
member’s situation.
Convincing
judgement and
reasoning for
selecting the fund
was presented.
Suggestion was
appropriate to the
member’s situation.
Sound judgement
and reasoning for
selecting the fund
was presented.
Suggestion was
appropriate. Some
evidence of the
reasoning for
choosing the fund
was present.
Suggestion was not
backed up by
evidence of
reasoning for
choosing the fund.
Mark
/5
/5
Part B: Analysis of investment options
Criteria:
Social, Ethical and
Global
Understanding
(SE5.1)
Application of
theory and skills in
identifying,
analysing and
discussing MySuper
products
Higher Order
Thinking (HO2.2)
Recommendation
of the chosen
investment
option(s)
7
6
5
4
<4
5
You comprehensively
identified the
purposes of MySuper
products and provided
expert analysis as to
whether the fund’s
MySuper account
meets those
objectives.
4
You identified the
major purposes of
MySuper products
and substantially
answered whether
the fund’s MySuper
account meets those
objectives.
3
You identified most
of the purposes of
MySuper products
and gave a solid
analysis as to
whether the fund’s
MySuper account
meets those
objectives.
2.5
You identified some
of the purposes of
MySuper products
and partly answered
whether the fund’s
MySuper account
meets those
objectives.
0-2
You failed to identify
the purpose of
MySuper products
and answer whether
the fund’s MySuper
account meets those
objectives.
Recommendation was
appropriate and fully
justified.
Comprehensive
research was evident.
Recommendation
was appropriate,
sound reasoning for
choosing the
investment option(s)
was provided. Some
research was
evident.
Recommendation
was appropriate,
some reasoning for
choosing the
investment option(s)
was provided.
Recommendations
were adequate but
lacked justification or
contained some
inaccuracies.
Recommendations
were inadequate or
absent and there
were several
inaccuracies.
7
6
5
4
<4
8.5 - 10
Your work is of a
highly professional
standard, well
structured, clearly
expressed and
concise. Includes
referencing as
appropriate.
Compliant with word
limits. Spelling and
grammar of a high
standard.
TOTAL MARKS
7.5 – 8.4
Your work is wellstructured, clear and
concise. Compliance
with word limits.
Few spelling or
grammatical errors.
6.5 – 7.4
Your work is
adequately
structured and
mostly clear.
Compliant with word
limits. Some
grammar and
spelling errors.
5 – 6.4
Your work is
adequately structured
in part, reasonably
clear and concise.
Several grammar and
spelling errors. Noncompliance with word
limit.
0 – 4.9
Your work is
unstructured and
contains very poor
grammar and
spelling. Noncompliance with
word limit.
Mark
/5
/5
Written communication
Criteria:
Professional
Communication
(PC3.1)
Presentation and
organisation of the
report
Mark
/10
/30
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