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  • Government contributions

    The government may add to your super if you are eligible for the super co-contribution or the low income superannuation tax offset (LISTO).

    You don't need to apply for government contributions. If you're eligible and your fund has your tax file number (TFN), we will pay it to your fund account automatically.

    Super co-contributions

    The super co-contribution is designed to assist eligible individuals to save for their retirement. If you are eligible and make personal super contributions during a financial year, the government will pay a super co-contribution up to certain limits.

    Co-contribution income thresholds

    Table 24: Co-contribution income thresholds

    Year

    Maximum entitlement

    Lower income threshold

    Higher income threshold

    2023–24

    $500

    $43,445

    $58,445

    2022–23

    $500

    $42,016

    $57,016

    2021–22

    $500

    $41,112

    $56,112

    2020–21

    $500

    $39,837

    $54,837

    2019–20

    $500

    $38,564

    $53,564

    2018–19

    $500

    $37,697

    $52,697

    2017–18

    $500

    $36,813

    $51,813

    2016–17

    $500

    $36,021

    $51,021

    2015–16

    $500

    $35,454

    $50,454

    2014–15

    $500

    $34,488

    $49,488

    2013–14

    $500

    $33,516

    $48,516

    2012–13

    $500

    $31,920

    $46,920

    2011–12

    $1,000

    $31,920

    $61,920

    2010–11

    $1,000

    $31,920

    $61,920

    2009–10

    $1,000

    $31,920

    $61,920

    2008–09

    $1,500

    $30,342

    $60,342

    2007–08

    $1,500

    $28,980

    $58,980

    2006–07

    $1,500

    $28,000

    $58,000

    2005–06

    $1,500

    $28,000

    $58,000

    2004–05

    $1,500

    $28,000

    $58,000

    2003–04

    $1,000

    $27,500

    $40,000

    The lower income threshold is indexed in line with AWOTE each income year. The new indexed amount is generally available each February. However, note that the thresholds were frozen between the 2010–11 and 2012–13 years.

    The following changes were also made for all contributions made from 1 July 2012:

    • the maximum co-contribution entitlement was set at $500
    • the matching rate was set at 50%
    • the higher income threshold was set at $15,000 above the lower income threshold.

    Additional eligibility requirements were added from 1 July 2017 which includes:

    • having a total superannuation balance of less than $1.6 million on 30 June of the year before the year the contributions are being made
    • having not exceeded your non-concessional contributions cap in the relevant financial year.

    Low income super tax offset

    From 1 July 2017, the government introduced the low income super tax offset (LISTO) to assist low income earners to save for their retirement.

    If you earn an adjusted taxable income up to $37,000 you may be eligible to receive a refund into your superannuation account of the tax paid on your eligible concessional superannuation contributions, up to a cap of $500.

    You don't need to apply for LISTO. If you're eligible and your fund has your tax file number (TFN), we will pay it to your fund account automatically.

    Last modified: 13 Jul 2023QC 18123