Key superannuation rates and thresholds

Concessional contributions cap

Concessional contributions include:

employer contributions (including contributions made under a salary sacrifice arrangement)
personal contributions claimed as a tax deduction by a self-employed person.

Income year

Amount of cap

2013-14

$25,000

2012-13

$25,000

2011-12

$25,000

2010-11

$25,000

2009-10

$25,000

2008-09

$50,000

2007-08

$50,000

In accordance with section 960-285 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997), the concessional contributions cap is indexed in line with average weekly ordinary time earnings (AWOTE), in increments of $5,000 (rounded down). The new indexed amount is generally available each February.

Parliament recently passed legislation to pause the indexation of the concessional contributions cap at $25,000 up to and including the 2013-14 year. Normal indexation resumes for the 2014-15 year.

Concessional contributions cap for people 50 years old or over up to 30 June 2012

From 1 July 2012, all individuals have a concessional contributions cap of $25,000.

An increased concessional contributions cap applied until 30 June 2012 for people who were 50 years old or over:

If you were 50 years old or over, your annual cap for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 financial years was $100,000.
If you were 50 years old or over, your annual cap for the 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 financial years was $50,000.

If you had more than one fund, all concessional contributions made to all your funds were added together and counted towards the cap. This cap was not indexed.

From 1 July 2012, all individuals have a concessional contributions cap of $25,000.

The government has announced changes that, if passed by parliament, will increase the concessional contributions cap to $50,000 for individuals who have total super balances below $500,000 and are 50 years old or over. However, this possible future change has been deferred until 1 July 2014. We will publish updated guidance if these announced changes become law.

Sections within Contributions caps

Last Modified: Wednesday, 27 February 2013