Employer super guarantee contributions are paid into your account and invested across assets like shares and property to potentially build savings throughout your working life. Over time, investment returns may compound, which is how super can work to support income in retirement. As well as employer contributions, you can also make personal contributions to your super.

You are eligible for employer contributions to your super if you're:

• over 18 years and employed, or
• under 18 years and work over 30 hours a week.

You are entitled to superannuation if you are employed full-time, part-time or as a casual, a temporary resident, a private or domestic worker or working in your family business.

The compulsory sum of 12%¹ of your pay is known as the Super Guarantee and is paid by your employer to comply with Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requirements. For those eligible, the government may add to your investment earnings with a co-contribution².

You can make extra voluntary contributions to your super from your after-tax income (known as non-concessional contributions) if you choose to, up to the contribution cap of $120,000³ per financial year. If you make personal contributions in excess of the cap*, you may pay extra contributions tax.

You can also ask your employer to pay more of your before-tax income into your super as salary sacrifice contributions, which are also concessional contributions* Concessional contributions (which include Super Guarantee contributions) are capped at $30,000³ per financial year.

If your spouse or partner is a low-income earner, you can make a voluntary spouse contribution and may be able to claim a tax deduction⁴.

From 1 July 2026, employers are required to pay super guarantee contributions at the same time as salary and wages are paid, rather than quarterly. Payments will generally be required to reach your super account within seven business days.

You can find out more about the types of contributions and how they are taxed via the ATO.

Super is generally taxed at concessional rates compared to regular income, depending on your income. Contributions, investment earnings and withdrawals can each be taxed differently depending on the type of contribution and your age. Depending on the type of contribution and your age.

There is no single answer. How much super you need depends on your age, income and assets, lifestyle and retirement plans. Comparisons of how much you should have by age can provide context, but they are only a guide.

Super can grow through employer and personal contributions and investment returns. Reviewing how your super is invested or making extra contributions may help increase your balance over time. Practical options are outlined in our guide on how to grow your super.

Yes. Your employer should provide you with a superannuation standard choice form within 28 days of your start date. If you don’t specify a super fund, your employer will either pay your super into an existing super account that you hold (known as your stapled fund), or their nominated default fund if you do not have an existing stapled fund. You can find out more information via the ATO.

You can only access your super when you reach your preservation age and have either permanently retired, or if you are transitioning to retirement and still working. If you meet these criteria, you can choose to withdraw your super balance either as a lump sum or have the money paid into your bank account as regular pension payments. Early access to super is only available in limited circumstances, as discussed below.

You can learn more by finding articles and information about retirement.

Early access to super is limited to specific situations, such as severe financial hardship or compassionate grounds. Eligibility rules are strict and depend on individual circumstances.