Who can contribute to super

Technical resource

Certain requirements need to be met before a superannuation fund can accept contributions on behalf of a member, specifically age based, although there are exceptions.

Information for advisers only.

Australia’s superannuation system has undergone extensive reforms in recent years, with certain requirements needing to be met before a superannuation fund can accept contributions on behalf of a member.

Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulation 7.04(1) outlines the conditions below.

Age

Conditions where a fund may accept contributions

Under 55

A fund can receive contributions (except downsizer contributions) on behalf of the member.

55 but under 67

A fund can receive all contributions of behalf of the member.

67
but under 75*

A fund can receive all contributions on behalf of the member.

However, for a member to be able to claim a tax deduction for a personal concessional contribution they must satisfy a work test or work test exemption during the financial year.

To satisfy the work test the member must be gainfully employed on at least 40 hours in any 30 consecutive day period during the year which the contribution is made.

To satisfy the Work Test Exemption although the member does not satisfy the work during the year, they were gainfully on at 40 hours in any 30 consecutive day period in the financial year immediately preceding the current one, and their total super balance was below $300,000 as at the most recent 30 June, and they have not used this exemption in a previous financial year.

75 and over

Mandated employer contributions and downsizer contributions may be received regardless of the work test. No other contributions will be accepted.

* For all contributions except for mandated employer and downsizer contributions, the contribution must be received on or before the day that is 28 days after the end of the month in which the member turns 75.

Other requirements

In addition to a member meeting the requirements outlined in SIS Regulation 7.04(1), there are additional requirements that must be met for a fund to accept a contribution on behalf of a member.

These include:

  • A superannuation fund is prohibited from accepting a member contribution if the member’s tax file number has not been quoted.

  • An individual cannot make a non-concessional contributions if their total superannuation balance is:-

    • $1.9 million or greater as at 30 June 2023 for the 2023/24 financial year.
    • $1.7 million or greater as at 30 June 2022 for the 2022/23 financial year, or 30 June 2021 for the 2021/22 financial year,
    • $1.6 million or greater as at 30 June in the preceding financial year for 2017/18 to 2020/21 financial years.
  • As noted in the table above, for those between 67 and 75, although a super fund will accept any personal contributions by a member, in order for them to claim a deduction on a personal deductible contribution the member must meet the work test or work exemption during the financial year.

Next: Concessional contribution rules

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