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You are here: HomeIndividualsIndividuals superannuation essentialsAdvanced topics > Growing and consolidating super 

Super co-contributions

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The super co-contribution was introduced from 1 July 2003. It is an Australian Government initiative to help low to middle income earners save for their retirement.

If you are eligible and make personal super contributions to a complying super fund or retirement savings account (RSA), the Government will match your personal super contribution with a co-contribution up to certain limits.

From 1 July 2007, the maximum co-contribution amount will stay at $1,500, and the self-employed may be eligible.

For the 2006-07 income year, the maximum co-contribution amount was $1,500.

For the 2005-06 income year only, the Government announced a one-off additional payment, doubling your co-contribution entitlement for that year.

From 1 July 2004, the maximum co-contribution amount was increased from $1,000 to $1,500.

Eligibility

From 1 July 2008, you will be eligible for the co-contribution if:

  • you make a personal super contribution by 30 June each year into a complying super fund or retirement savings account
  • your total income is less than $60,342 (this is indexed annually to reflect changes in average wages)
  • 10% or more of your total income is from eligible employment, running a business or a combination of both
  • you are less than 71 years old at the end of the year of income
  • you do not hold an eligible temporary resident visa at any time during the year
  • lodge your income tax return.

Your super fund needs your Tax File Number (TFN) before it can accept your personal contribution or a co-contribution from us. For more information refer to Tax file numbers and superannuation.

Remember, you are not entitled to a co-contribution for any amount of personal contributions you choose to claim as a tax deduction. For more information refer to Claiming deductions for personal super contributions.

Last Modified: Thursday, 28 August 2008

Super co-contributions
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