What are super contributions?
Money paid into your super account is called superannuation contributions. So when your employer puts part of your pay into your super, it's employer super contributions.
And you can add extra, too.
If you do this after tax, it's a voluntary or personal super contribution. If you add extra before tax, it's called salary sacrifice.
Adding more to your super is a simple way to get more for retirement.
How? You invest more money. You may be able to save on tax. And you could get a bonus, too.
Contributions Calculator
Do the sums and see the difference extra contributions can make to your future.
Ways to make superannuation contributions
Grow your savings for life after work by making extra super contributions from your own money. Even a little bit when you can afford it can make a big difference.
Every extra cent you add helps build your savings for a better future. And you might be able to claim a tax deduction for it.
When you pay money into your super from your before-tax salary, you could save on tax. Salary sacrifice is the same as salary packaging.
Save for a deposit for your first home by adding extra money to your super now, then taking it out when you're ready to buy.
If you're downsizing and aged 55 or over, you could save on tax by adding money to your super from the sale of your home.
Claim a tax deduction
You can claim a tax deduction if you add money to your super as voluntary/personal super contributions.
Super contribution cap
Check your maximum super contributions limit. Adding too much could mean paying extra tax.
Spouse super contributions
You can also team up with your partner to build a better financial future for you both. And adding extra to their super can often save on tax.
You could get a tax offset of up to $540 for adding money to your spouse’s super from your after-tax pay.
If you move some of your before-tax super contributions to your spouse's super, both of you could benefit.
Can you get a bonus?
Government super co-contribution
If you earn less than $60,400 a year and put extra in your super, you could get up to $500 added to your balance.
Low income super tax offset (LISTO)
If you earn less than $37,000 a year, the ATO could give you a $500 refund in super contribution tax.
Retirement Bonus
Stay with us and you could get a bonus when you retire by opening a Retirement Income account or Lifetime Pension.
How to make super contributions
You have 2 ways to put super into your account: before tax or after tax. There are different rules and benefits for each.
Before tax
If you want to add super to your account before tax (salary sacrifice), you'll need to ask your employer to set this up. They'll make the deposits from your pay.
After-tax
Voluntary personal super contributions come from your take-home pay. You have a few options on how to do this, including BPAY®, direct debit, and setting it up with your employer.
Which type of superannuation contribution is for me?
| Contribution type | Income | Super contribution age limits |
|---|---|---|
| Employer's superannuation guarantee (SG) payments | Any income | 18 years and over (or under 18 and working 30 hours a week or more) |
| Voluntary contributions (after-tax) | Any income | Under 75 years |
| Downsizer contribution | Any income | 55 years and over |
| Splitting super contributions | Any income | Spouse getting the contribution is under age 60, or between 60 and 65 years, and still working. |
| First Home Super Saver (FHSS) scheme | Any income | Under 75 years |
| Low income super tax offset (LISTO) | Up to $37,000/year | No age limit |
| Spouse contributions | Spouse under $40,000/year | Spouse getting the contribution is under 75 years |
| Salary sacrifice (before-tax) | Best for over $45,000/year | Under 75 years |
| Government super co-contribution | Up to $58,445/year | Under 75 years |
Get the most out of your contributions
Check your super payments
Use our app or log in online to see if your employer is paying super to the right account.
Add your tax file number
Pay less tax on your super by giving us your tax file number (15% tax instead of up to 47%).
Find and combine other super
It only takes us a few minutes to look for any of your old super accounts.
FAQs about super contributions
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Try our other frequently asked questions about super.
