What happens to your super when you stop working for the WA public sector?
You can stay with GESB, even if you stop working for the WA public sector.
You can choose to have your non-government employer1 contributions paid to a GESB Super account. Please be aware that only GESB Super can accept employer contributions from employers who are not part of the WA public sector.
You can also choose another fund and keep your GESB account open or choose to close it and roll out funds, if you have a GESB Super or West State Super account. It’s important to know that if you close your account(s) and cease to be a GESB member, you cannot rejoin GESB unless you return to work in the WA public sector.
If you want to continue having your employer contributions paid into GESB
Keep your existing GESB Super account
If you already have a GESB Super account, you can stay with GESB by simply directing your non-government employer to pay your employer super contributions to your existing account.
Open a GESB Super account (if you don’t have one)
If you have a West State Super or Gold State Super account, you can stay with GESB by having a new GESB Super account opened for your non-government employer contributions to be paid into.
How do you nominate GESB for your employer contributions?
Download a pre-filled ‘Fund nomination form’ to give to your non-government employer.
If you have a West State Super or Gold State Super account, a GESB Super account will be opened for you when we receive your first non-government employer contribution.
Find out more and download form
You can keep your GESB account open, even if you have another fund for your employer contributions
Even if you choose to have your non-government employer contributions paid into another super fund, you can still keep the account you hold with us.
If you have a West State Super or GESB Super account, you can keep your account open and even make your own contributions to the fund. West State Super has a number of unique features that are worth knowing about.
If you have Gold State Super, your account becomes deferred and you can access this when you turn 55. Find out more about the different rules that apply if you were made redundant on or after 30 December 1995.
West State Super unique features
What happens to your insurance cover?
If you currently have insurance in your GESB Super or West State Super account, you can keep your Death and Total & Permanent Disablement cover. Your Salary Continuance Insurance cover may end if you are no longer having employer contributions paid into that account.
If you have Gold State Super, your insurance only applies while you are contributing to the fund.
If you want to close your account and roll your super into a new fund
If you’re a GESB Super or West State Super member, you can transfer your super into a new fund and close your account - but we recommend that you make an informed decision. If you close all your accounts and cease to be a GESB member, you cannot rejoin GESB unless you return to work in the WA public sector.
If you have Gold State Super, your account becomes deferred and you can access this once you turn 55.
Understand the unique benefits of West State Super and Gold State Super
Read the information in the pages listed below so that you can understand the unique benefits available to you if you’re a West State Super or Gold State Super member, as your decision may be irreversible.
We also strongly recommend you seek financial advice relevant to your situation before making a decision.
If you want to change funds
You can ask your employer who their default super fund is or choose your own fund to have your super contributions paid into.
When you’re choosing a fund, it’s important to find out:
- What are the fees and charges?
- Does the fund offer life insurance, and how much does it cost?
- Does the fund offer investment options and strategies that are right for you?
- What more does the fund offer you?
- Does the fund have a proven track record in providing services to your industry?
More information
Need help
- Call us on 13 43 72
Thank you for printing this page. Remember to come back to gesb.wa.gov.au for the latest information as our content is updated regularly. This information is correct as at 23 June 2026.