Early access to super: What you need to know

You can access the ATO’s online form through your myGov account, or call 13 10 20 to request a paper form if you prefer. 

You’ll need evidence to support your application. This will include unpaid quotes or invoices. If your expenses are to pay for someone who is dependent on you then you may need to provide evidence of your relationship and living situation.

This information page on the ATO website explains how to complete your application and what to expect after you submit it.

The ATO will assess your application and let you know within 14 days (or 28 days for a paper application) if your application was approved. They may contact you during this time if they need more information. 

You’ll receive a letter and a phone call or SMS to let you know the outcome.

If the ATO approves your request, the next step is to complete our Compassionate Grounds Application Form so we can release your super.

You can send us the form by post or submit it via e-Post after logging into our online portal. 

You’ll need to print the form so it can be signed and witnessed. If you don't have a printer, please let us know and we’ll post you the form.

Once we’ve reviewed and approved your application, we’ll make the payment to the bank account you nominate on the form.

If you request to withdraw your entire super balance, we’ll close your account and cancel any insurance cover you have for that account. If there’s still money left in your super, your account will remain open and your insurance cover will continue. 

You can apply for a single lump sum payment of up to $10,000 in a 12-month period. Generally, the minimum withdrawal amount is $1,000 unless you have less than $1,000 in your super account, in which case you can withdraw it all.

To qualify, you must: 

• •  currently receive eligible Commonwealth income support payments
• •  have been receiving these payments for the last 26 consecutive weeks
• •  be unable to meet your immediate family living expenses
• •  have not received any financial hardship payments from the fund in the last 12 months.

You can apply to withdraw as much as you want from your super if you:

• •  have reached your preservation age plus 39 weeks 
• •  have received eligible Commonwealth income support payments for a total of at least 39 weeks after reaching your preservation age
• •  haven’t been employed part-time or full-time in that period for 10 or more hours each week.

Before you do anything else, please call us on 13 13 36 so we can help you determine whether you may be eligible to access some of your super. We’ll discuss your options and assist with the next steps. 

If you’re eligible to apply to access some of you super, please download and complete our Financial Hardship Application form. 

You can send us the form by post or submit it via e-Post after logging into our online portal.

You’ll need to print the form so it can be signed and witnessed. If you don't have a printer, please let us know and we’ll post you the form.

Once we’ve reviewed and approved your application, we’ll make the payment to the bank account you nominate on the form.

If you request to withdraw your entire super balance, we’ll close your account and cancel any insurance cover you have for that account. If there’s still money left in your super, your account will remain open and your insurance cover will continue.