When you can access your super savings early
Super is a long-term investment to help grow your savings for your retirement years.
You may be able to access some of your super early if you meet specific conditions, including:
Retired or aged 65 or older?
If you've turned 60 and permanently retired or stopped working for an employer, or you’ve turned 65, you have full access to your super savings.
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Financial hardship
You may be able to withdraw some of your super if you’re struggling to pay for everyday living costs, such as food or rent. You need to meet certain conditions first.
There are three simple steps:
- Check if you’re eligible - make sure you meet the financial hardship rules before you apply.
- Get your documents ready - you’ll need details from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), your identification documents, plus proof of your income and expenses.
- Apply for a payment - log into your account and submit your request online.
Step 1: Check if you’re eligible
If you meet all of the criteria in either Category 1 or 2, you’re eligible to access your super to receive a financial hardship payment.
Category 1 – ANY AGE Category 2 – OVER 60 years You can take out up to $10,000 from your super once every 12 months (minimum $1,000 or your balance, whichever is less) if:
You’ve been (and still are) receiving eligible income support payments from Centrelink or the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA), for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks.
and
You’re not able to meet reasonable and immediate family living expenses, such as food or rent
and
You haven’t received any other financial hardship payments from this or any other super fund in the past 12 months.You can withdraw any amount if:
You’ve been receiving eligible income support payments from Centrelink or the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA), for a continuous period of at least 39 weeks since turning 60.
and
You’re either unemployed or working less than 10 hours a week.Pensioners must notify DVA if any benefits are released, as this may affect your income support payments. Step 2: Get your documents ready
Have this information ready before you start your application.
- Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) or a confirmation letter (valid for 21 days) from Centrelink confirming you’ve been receiving an eligible Commonwealth income support payment for the required period.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) number if you receive DVA income support payments (and not Centrelink), plus a letter from the DVA that details the payment type you receive and the period the payment has been made for.
- Evidence (from within the last month) of your weekly net income, expenses and outstanding payments.
- Proof of identity any two of these forms of identification:
- a valid passport
- a valid driver licence
- Medicare card
Step 3: Apply for a payment
The fastest and easiest way to apply is in your account online.
LOGIN and applyIf you haven’t set up online access to your account, you can register here.
Other ways to apply
If you can’t apply online, you can complete and submit the Apply for a payment (financial hardship) form instead.
If you choose this option, you’ll need to upload scanned copies or send your completed application to us.
When will I receive my payment?
It usually takes around five business days to process your claim once we receive your completed application. Once approved, we’ll make the payment to the bank account you nominated on the form.
Include all documents from Step 2 with your application to avoid delays.
FAQs
For more information on withdrawing your super due to financial hardship read the FAQs.
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Compassionate grounds
If you can't withdraw your super due to hardship, you might be able to access it early for compassionate reasons. This includes things like paying for medical treatment, palliative care, home or car changes for a disability, funeral costs, or stopping your mortgage from defaulting.
Who can apply?
Eligibility rules are set by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). To check whether you qualify, visit the ATO website.
How to apply
You must apply for compassionate grounds through the ATO, not directly with us.
- Apply online in myGov on the ATO website.
- During your application, the ATO will ask for your current super balance. You can find out your balance by logging into your account online.
What happens next?
The ATO will assess your application. This can take up to 14 days (or up to 28 days for paper applications). We can’t provide updates while the ATO is reviewing your claim.
If your application is approved, the ATO will let you know by phone, SMS, or through your myGOV inbox. You’ll also receive a written approval letter.
Once approved, you can complete and submit the Apply for a payment (Compassionate grounds) form to receive your payment.
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Terminal illness or permanent incapacity
If you're diagnosed with a terminal illness or are permanently incapacitated, you may be able to claim some, or all, of your super. For detailed guidance and support through this situation, please call us between 8am-8pm AEST/AEDT weekdays.
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Permanently leaving Australia
Who can apply?
You may be eligible if you held a temporary visa, have left or are leaving Australia, and your visa has expired or been cancelled.
How to apply
For detailed information, visit our Departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP) webpage, or apply through the ATO website. If transferring to KiwiSaver, use the Transfer your account to your KiwiSaver form.
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Left your employer and have less than $200 in your account
If your employment has ended and the balance of your super account is less than $200, you can apply to withdraw and close your account by completing and submitting the Close your account and make a full withdrawal (balance less than $200) form.
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First Home Super Saver Scheme
The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) lets you use some of your super to help fund the purchase of your first home.
- you must be aged 18 years or older,
- you have made personal voluntary contributions to your super account,
- you have never owned a property in Australia before, and
- you are not already using the FHSSS to buy another home.
For detailed information, visit our First Home Super Saver Scheme webpage, or apply through the ATO website.
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Unrestricted non-preserved super
You may be able to access your super early if you have unrestricted non-preserved super (which is usually after-tax contributions made before 1 July 1999). Check whether you have unrestricted non-preserved super by logging into your account online.
Things to consider when making a withdrawal
Before you withdraw your super, you should:
- claim any tax deductions you’re eligible for and get confirmation
- arrange any spouse contribution splits, if applicable.
If you’re only withdrawing part of your super:
- you need to leave at least $6,0001 in your account after the withdrawal
- we may refuse your request, or pay a smaller amount, to make sure your balance doesn’t fall below the minimum.
If you withdraw your full balance:
- your account will be closed, and
- any insurance linked to your account will end.
If you want your insurance to stay active, let us know when you apply.
Withdrawing your super early may:
- reduce the money you’ll have for retirement
- impact any tax you need to pay
- affect payments or benefits you receive, such as Centrelink or workers’ compensation.
Member Direct investors
If you have an investment in the Member Direct option and there are insufficient funds in your Accumulation and Member Direct cash account, you may need to consider selling some of your investments before submitting a withdrawal request. Term Deposits that haven't matured may incur penalties. For more information, please see the Member Direct guide.
Proof of Identity
Option 1. Electronic verification
The easiest way to verify your identity is electronically.
To verify your identity electronically, provide the details from any two of these documents:
- Passport
- Driver licence
- Medicare card
We use Australian data sources, including the Australian Electoral Roll and, if needed, the credit reporting agency Illion, to confirm your identity electronically.
Option 2. Certified copies of your documents
Take the original and a photocopy of your current driver licence (front and back), passport or government-issued proof of age card to someone who is authorised to certify ID.
To find out who can certify your ID for you, read the Providing proof of your identity factsheet.
Next scan and upload, or send copies of your certified ID along with your completed form to:
AustralianSuper
GPO Box 1901 Melbourne VIC 3001
What happens next?
We process withdrawals within about five business days after receiving your completed form, and we transfer funds to another super fund within three business days. Please make sure you fill out the form completely to help us avoid any delays.
Got a question? Message us in the app
Logging in to the app is the fastest and most secure way to contact us. Send us a message, and the app will notify you when we reply.
Early access and insurance cover
If you need to access your super early due to illness or injury, also consider whether you can make a claim on any insurance cover2 you may have. Check your insurance cover by logging into your account online or via the mobile app. Alternatively, call us on 1300 300 273 8am to 8pm AEST/AEDT weekdays.
Reducing your account balance, such as making a withdrawal, may affect your insurance cover. To maintain your cover, you’ll need to have enough money in your super account to pay for your ongoing insurance costs. Your cover may stop for other reasons, see the ‘When cover stops’ section in the Insurance in your super guide for more information.
What’s next?
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Disclaimers
- This figure may differ for financial hardship or compassionate grounds.
- AustralianSuper insurance is provided by TAL Life Limited (the Insurer) ABN 70 050 109 450, AFSL 237848.
- Personal financial product advice is provided under the Australian Financial Services Licence held by a third party and not by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd. Some personal advice may attract a fee, which would be outlined before any work is completed and is subject to your agreement. With your approval, the fee for advice relating to your AustralianSuper account may be deducted from your AustralianSuper account subject to eligibility criteria.