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A guide to accessing your super early

One door is slightly ajar as accessing super early is only allowed under limited circumstances.

Need to access your superannuation early but not sure if you qualify? 

There are specific circumstances under which you can tap into your super before retirement age. From financial hardship to medical conditions, understanding the criteria is key.

Let’s dive into the details.

When can I access my super early?

Super is meant for retirement, and the government doesn't take early release lightly. That’s why the ability to access your super early is usually reserved for severe financial or medical situations, and you’ll have to provide evidence to support your claim.

That said, here are the circumstances where you might qualify:

Compassionate grounds

This is the broadest category by far and covers a wide variety of urgent personal and family situations where you may need early access to your super to meet expenses for yourself or your dependents. These include:

  • Medical treatment and/or transport
  • Home or vehicle modifications related to disability
  • Palliative care 
  • Death, funeral or burial expenses for your dependant
  • Mortgage repayments to prevent foreclosure or forced sale of your home

For more information, you can check out the ATO’s detailed list of eligible expenses .

What it’s for: Unpaid expenses directly related to these situations, although you may be able to withdraw funds to repay money you've borrowed for these costs. In other words, this isn’t for day-to-day living expenses related to the hardship.

Eligibility criteria: Differs based on the situation

How much can you get? Limited to what you reasonably need to make the unpaid expense.

Who manages this: The Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

How to apply:

Each case is different and requires specific documentation as evidence. You can visit the ATO website for detailed information on eligibility and the application process. Generally, you will need to:

  1. Check your eligibility. Ensure you meet the criteria for compassionate grounds by reviewing the ATO guidelines.
  2. Gather required documents. Collect all necessary documents that support your claim.

Submit your application. Use the ATO’s online services through your myGov account to complete and submit your application.

Severe financial hardship

This is specifically for those who are struggling to meet basic living expenses. To qualify for early access to your super under severe financial hardship, you generally need to have been receiving government income support payments for a specific period, which depends on your age.

What it’s for: Covering essential living expenses such as rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, medical costs and daily living expenses.

Eligibility criteria:

If under the preservation age plus 39 weeks: You’ve been receiving government income support payments continuously for at least 26 weeks and you’re unable to meet reasonable and immediate family living expenses. 

If over the preservation age plus 39 weeks: You’ve been receiving government income support payments continuously for at least 39 weeks after you’ve reached your preservation age, and you were not gainfully employed at the time of applying.

How much can you get? 

If under the preservation age plus 39 weeks: $1,000 - $10,000

If over the preservation age plus 39 weeks: No restrictions

Who manages this: Your superannuation fund

How to apply: Visit your super fund’s website for detailed information on the application process and required documentation.

Terminal illness

If you’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness that will likely result in death within two years, you’ll typically be eligible to withdraw all your super, so you can enjoy the fruits of your labour before you pass.

What it’s for: You can use the funds for any purpose, including medical treatment, living expenses or fulfilling personal wishes.

Eligibility criteria: Certification from two medical specialists that you suffer from illness or injury that is likely to result in death within 24 months.

How much can you get? No restrictions

Who manages this: Your superannuation fund

How to apply: Visit your super fund’s website for detailed information on the application process and required documentation.

Temporary incapacity

If you’re temporarily unable to work due to a physical or mental condition, you may be able to access your super to help cover living expenses during your recovery period. This provision is designed to provide financial support while you are unable to earn an income.

What it’s for: Covering living expenses and medical costs while you are temporarily incapacitated and unable to work.

Eligibility criteria: You must be temporarily unable to work due to a physical or mental condition, as certified by a medical practitioner.

How much can you get? The amount you can access is typically determined by your superannuation fund’s insurance policy and is usually paid as regular income payments (income stream) rather than a lump sum.

Who manages this: Your superannuation fund

How to apply: Visit your super fund’s website for detailed information on the application process and required documentation.

Permanent incapacity

If you are permanently unable to work due to a severe physical or mental condition, you may be eligible to access your super early. This is often referred to as a 'disability super benefit'.

What it’s for: Covering living expenses, medical costs, and other necessary expenses when you are permanently unable to work.

Eligibility criteria: You must have a permanent physical or mental medical condition that prevents you from ever working again in a job for which you are qualified by education, training, or experience. You may still qualify even if you are doing light duties or casual work in a different field.

How much can you get? There are no restrictions on the amount you can access. You can choose to receive your super as a lump sum or as regular income payments.

Who manages this: Your superannuation fund

How to apply: Visit your super fund’s website for detailed information on the application process and required documentation.

How much super can you access early?

A piggy bank sits above a string as there are eligibility requirements for accessing super early

The amount of super you can access early depends entirely on your unique situation.

For example, if you're dealing with a terminal medical condition, you might be able to access your entire super balance. If you need to withdraw super on compassionate grounds, it will typically cover just the cost of a specific expense. For severe financial hardship, most people will be able to access up to $10,000 in a given year.

In short, the amount you can take out of your super fund early is based on your particular circumstances and the reason you need the money.

Applying for early super release

Two hands shake to signal understanding for the early super withdrawal rules

While we can't give you the exact steps, as the process varies based on your situation and super fund, we can provide some general guidelines. Typically, you’ll need to prove your eligibility, gather the necessary documents, and submit an application through your super fund or the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

For detailed information, visit your super fund’s website or the ATO website. They’ll provide you with specific guidelines to help you navigate the process smoothly.

How will I receive the funds?

Wads of cash to show some Aussies might access different amounts of super early

For early release due to compassionate reasons, the ATO will instruct your super fund to send the money directly to the provider offering the service you need help paying for, or to the lender who lent you money for that service.

For all other reasons, your super fund will send the funds to your nominated bank account, either as a lump sum or an income stream depending on the circumstances of the claim. You should receive the lump sum or the first income instalment within 1-3 business days after your claim has been approved. Ongoing instalments are usually paid monthly. However, it’s worth checking with your super fund, as the process may differ between funds.

Do I have to pay tax if I withdraw my super early?

Man hauls a pie chart of his super, as he has used some of it when he made an early super withdrawal

Yes, you may have to pay tax if you withdraw your super early, and the amount of tax depends on your specific situation. For detailed information on tax rates and concessions, visit the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website or consult with a financial advisor.

FAQs for accessing your super early

Are there any other reasons I can withdraw my super early?

Yes, there are a few other reasons you might be able to access your super early, although these tend to apply to more specific circumstances and niche audiences:

  • Low balance ($200 or less). If you terminate your employment and your super balance is $200 or less, you can withdraw it.
  • Temporary resident leaving Australia. If you're a temporary resident leaving Australia permanently, you may be eligible to withdraw your super.
  • First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS). This scheme allows you to make voluntary contributions to your super and then withdraw them to help buy your first home. While it's a useful tool for first-time homebuyers, it's more of a savings mechanism than an early access provision.

For more information on these and other withdrawal options, consult the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or your super fund.

Are there any loopholes to access your super early?

Unfortunately there are no loopholes to accessing your super early, and doing so without qualifying for it is illegal.

It’s also important to be aware of scams that claim to allow you to dip into your funds prematurely. For example, some people may claim that you can access your super early to purchase a car or offer to help you set up a self-managed super fund which they’ll control on your behalf. These are illegitimate, and if you come across one, run the other way!

If you’re concerned about a potential scam, reach out to the ATO’s superannuation enquiries hotline at 13 10 20.

What happens if I access my super when I’m not supposed to?

Accessing your super when you’re not supposed to is illegal, and so is the fraud you’ll likely have to commit in order to do so. Therefore the penalties could be severe, including fines, repayment of the funds and even imprisonment.

Can my early access to super be used to pay off debt?

Yes, in the case of compassionate release of super, you can use it to pay off the debt related to the specific financial or medical situation that led to your claim. In fact, the ATO will likely instruct your super fund to pay off the debt directly with the lender.

For all other early release situations, you’ll receive the funds directly to help with your day-to-day living expenses. So technically you can do whatever you want with it. But it’s important to use it wisely. If paying off the debt would help your financial situation, then it may be a good use of the funds. But you’ll have to balance that against your ongoing financial needs.  

What are the consequences of accessing my super early?

When you access your super early for legitimate reasons, the money comes out of your retirement account. That means you’ll have less in there when it comes time for retirement. This not only includes the original funds, but also any returns that money may have earned in the years between accessing it and retirement. 

Also, super funds when used for retirement purposes enjoy certain tax advantages that may not apply to any portions that you withdraw early.

Will the early release of my super affect my tax return?

Yes, the early release of your super can affect your tax return. Generally, the amount withdrawn will be considered part of your income and taxed accordingly. In some cases, your super fund may withhold a portion of the funds to pay your tax debt directly to the ATO.

The amount of tax you pay depends on the reason for the withdrawal and your personal circumstances. For example, if you withdraw your super due to terminal illness, the payment is typically tax-free.

To understand how your specific situation will affect your tax return, it’s best to consult a financial advisor or the ATO.

Should I withdraw my super early?

Withdrawing super early for legitimate reasons can offer a helpful financial lifeline. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before doing so. You may also want to consider reaching out to a financial adviser to help you assess all other options beforehand. 

Brad Buzzard
Brad Buzzard
RG146
Senior Money Writer

Brad brings over 25 years of experience in writing and consumer research to Mozo, using his RG146 certification for Generic Knowledge and Superannuation Brad has a knack for translating complex policies, to deliver practical guidance on financial matters. Brad has been featured in The Australian, B&T, Mumbrella, and Asia Insurance Review, and his insights have influenced the strategies of some of the world's biggest brands including McDonalds and Proctor & Gamble.


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