Did you know...
If your income is less than $60,342 you could benefit from the
super co-contribution.
Linda Wheeler
QSuper member since 2003
What is a co-contribution?
The super co-contribution is a payment made by the Commonwealth Government into your super account to encourage you to save for retirement. The government contributes $1.50 for each $1 you contribute (up to a maximum of $1,500 per year), if your assessable income is less than $30,342. The super co-contribution progressively reduces for incomes over this amount and phases out completely at $60,342.*
Who is eligible for the super co-contribution?
To be eligible you must meet all of the following criteria:
- make personal superannuation contributions (providing they are not salary sacrificed) to a complying superannuation fund
- earn 10% or more of total income from eligible employment, carrying on a business, or a combination of both
- have total income for the income year (assessable income plus reportable fringe benefits) less than the higher income threshold of $60,342
- lodge an income tax return for the income year
- be less than 71 years old at the end of the year of income
- not be a temporary resident.
Self-employed people are entitled to receive a co-contribution from 1 July 2007 if meeting the above criteria.
Do I need to apply for the super co-contribution?
No. Simply lodge your income tax return as normal. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will use the information on your income tax return, and contribution information from your super fund, to work out whether you are eligible.
If you are eligible, the ATO will automatically calculate the super co-contribution amount and deposit it into your super account.
How much is the super co-contribution?
The maximum amount you can receive is $1,500. The table below outlines the phasing out scale for incomes exceeding $30,342.
| Assessable income* |
Personal contribution required for maximum super co-contribution |
ATO maximum super co-contribution |
| $30,342 |
1,000 |
1,500 |
| $32,342 |
934 |
1,400 |
| $34,342 |
867 |
1,300 |
| $36,342 |
800 |
1,200 |
| $38,342 |
734 |
1,100 |
| $40,342 |
667 |
1,000 |
| $42,342 |
600 |
900 |
| $44,342 |
534 |
800 |
| $46,342 |
467 |
700 |
| $48,342 |
400 |
600 |
| $50,342 |
334 |
500 |
| $52,342 |
267 |
400 |
| $54,342 |
200 |
300 |
| $56,342 |
134 |
200 |
| $58,342 |
67 |
100 |
| $60,342 |
0 |
0 |
You can also work out how much you may be eligible for by using our Super co-contribution calculator.
What does this mean for QSuper members?
If you meet eligibility criteria and are making standard member contributions (usually 5% of salary) or voluntary contributions from after-tax pay, you will automatically be considered for super co-contributions by the ATO.
Contributions made via salary sacrifice are not regarded as qualifying contributions for the super co-contribution. If you are salary sacrificing your standard contributions, you may need to make extra after-tax voluntary contributions to qualify for the co-contribution. You can do this by:
- making a lump sum after-tax voluntary contribution, or
- arranging with your pay office to make additional after-tax voluntary contributions from your pay.
How do I make a personal contribution?
To make a personal contribution you can either:
- make a deposit via BPay® - details can be found on your latest benefit statement; or
- complete a deposit form (pdf), attach a cheque or money order and send to QSuper; or
- vist our contact center and make a deposit in person by cheque, cash or EFTPOS*.