What is the government super co-contribution?
If you earn under $43,445 in 2023-24, the government automatically adds 50c for every dollar you pay into your super after tax, up to a maximum $500 co-contribution.
This is called the government super co-contribution, and it can make a real difference to how much you retire with.
How much can you get?
You could get up to 50c for every dollar you pay into your super account, up to a maximum of $500.
How much you get depends on how much you earn in 2023-24 and how much you personally add to your super.
If you claim a tax deduction for your contributions, you won’t get the government co-contribution, so check which is better for you.
Try the Contribution Calculator
Use our Contribution Calculator to see how much the government might pay to your super if you add different amounts to your super.
| Your total income 1 | Your voluntary after-tax contribution | Maximum contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $43,445 | $1,000 | $500 |
| $43,445 to $58,445 | $1,000 | Up to $499 |
| $58,445 or more | Any amount | $0 |
1 Total income = assessable income + reportable fringe benefits + reportable employer super contributions. For income thresholds for previous years, see the ATO.
Who can get a super co-contribution?
If you earn less than $43,445 in 2023-24 and make a voluntary contribution to your super, you should get a co-contribution.
If you earn up to $58,445, the government still adds some money in a co-contribution to your super.
You need to make at least 10% of your income as an employee, business owner, or self-employed but treated as an employee (e.g. contractor with an ABN).
You also need to be under 71, with a total super balance under $1.7 million, under your contributions limits, and not on a temporary visa.
What if I’m not eligible?
If you can’t get the government co-contribution, you could still either claim a tax deduction or salary sacrifice to your super.
How to get the super co-contribution
If you fit the criteria above and you follow these 3 easy steps, you’re eligible to get the super co-contribution once a year:
Follow these steps
Add money to your super
If you’re a low income earner, add money to your super. It has to be a voluntary contribution, which you make from your take-home pay after tax. There’s a few ways you can do this:
a
Log in to Member Online and select direct debit.
b
Get a BPAY® biller code and pay direct from your bank.
c
Ask your payroll office to set up regular payments.
Give your tax file number (TFN)
Make sure your super fund has your TFN, so that the government can pay you a co-contribution to your super account.
Do your tax return
File your tax return as normal with the ATO – no need to do anything special. They calculate how much you should get, and then the government pays the co-contribution directly to your super account.
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