CAAMA Radio series – Australian Super Made Easy

The unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are often overlooked by super funds, meaning many Indigenous Australians face challenges accessing and engaging with their super.

To help address these issues and provide some support to Indigenous Australians, AustralianSuper worked with Australia’s largest Aboriginal media organisation – the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA)) , to produce a 7-episode radio series, called Australian Super Made Easy.

The series explores the basics of superannuation and insurance as they relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Australian Super Made Easy – Episode guide

CAAMA broadcaster and host, Kyle Dowling leads all 7 episodes. Each episode runs for approximately 30 minutes and features some of AustralianSuper’s experts.

Each episode can be listened to in a range of languages:

• English
• or Pitjantjatjara
• With several episodes also available in Arrernte or Aranda

Listen to the episodes

Overview – what each episode will cover

Episode 1 – Explaining super

In the first episode of this series Kyle Dowling speaks to Paul Schroder and Darryl Florance from AustralianSuper discuss:

• What is superannuation?
• Who has superannuation and how do you know if you have it?
• How is superannuation accumulated?
• What are your employer’s obligations in paying super?
• Where you can access further information

Episode 2 – Accessing your super

In this episode, Darryl Florance from AustralianSuper joins host Kyle Dowling to discuss:

• What is the ‘preservation’ age?
• Can super be withdrawn early?
• What is financial hardship?
• Who is eligible for financial hardship?
• Do all super funds offer financial hardship payments?
• What is early release on compassionate grounds and who can apply?
• Where to access further information.

Episode 3 – Consolidating your super

In episode 3, host Kyle Dowling speaks to Nathan Boyle, Indigenous Outreach Manager from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) about:

• The role of ASIC
• Why should you avoid having more than 1 super fund?
• If you have more than 1 fund, what do you need to do about it? What things do you need to consider?
• How to work out which superannuation fund is best for you
• What role employers play in the selection of a super fund
• What people can do once they have chosen a fund
• Where to access further information.

Episode 4 – Insurance and your super

Episode 4 focuses on insurances in your super. Host Kyle Dowling chatting to Katie Le Cras from AustralianSuper about:

• What is insurance and what types of insurance are available to you?
• How do you know if you have insurance?
• Why is it important to have insurance?
• Where to access further information.

Episode 5 – Making insurance claims through super and passing your super on when you die

In this episode, AustralianSuper’s Katie Le Cras and Darryl Florance join host Kyle Dowling to discuss:

• Who receives your super when you die? And can you choose who receives your super?
• What people can do when someone passes away
• Who can claim on Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD) insurance?
• Who can claim income protection insurance?
• Where to access further information.

Episode 6 – Identification, records, super comparison and the Big Super Day Out

Episode 6 has host Kyle Dowling chatting to Nathan Boyle, Indigenous Outreach Manager from ASIC about:

• What identification you need to provide your superannuation fund to access your account
• What records you should keep
• What records you need to provide your super fund to make an insurance or super claim
• How to compare super funds
• What is the Big Super Day Out?

Episode 7 – Finding lost superannuation

In the final episode of the Australian Super Made Easy series, host Kyle Dowling speaks to Graham Whyte, Assistant Commissioner for Superannuation at the Australian Tax Office (ATO) about:

• What is lost and unclaimed super?
• How can you find your lost super?
• How much lost super is out there?
• What is the ATO doing to re-unite people with their superannuation?
• Where to access further information.

Committed to helping all Australians

As Australia’s largest Industry super fund, AustralianSuper acknowledges its role in supporting an inclusive and diverse nation, where the cultural backgrounds of all peoples are recognised and respected. We’re here for all Australians and want to help our members achieve their best possible retirement outcome.