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Contributing to a super is one of the easiest methods to enhance your final retirement balance and lessen your personal tax charges. This article summarises the main types of contributions, eligibility requirements and the annual cap.
Concessional contributions are employer required (super guarantee) contributions, salary sacrifice contributions, and personal contributions in which you are entitled to claim a personal tax deduction.
The rules for making personal superannuation contributions that are claimable as a tax deduction vary depending on the age of the contributor as per below:
Under 67: No work test is required to make personal contributions.
Aged 67 to 74: You must meet the work test (or be eligible for an exemption) to claim a personal tax deduction for contributions.
Aged 75 and over: Personal contributions cannot be accepted except employer contributions and downsizer contributions.
When your super fund receives concessional contributions, they are taxed at 15%.
Another thing to consider is Division 293 as well, which we will discuss further.
The common types of non-concessional contributions include:
When your super fund receives non-concessional contributions, they are not taxed.
Individuals over the age of 74 are not eligible to make this type of contribution.
The contribution limits for 2025/26 are:
Individuals with a total super balance* less than $500,000 may be eligible to carry forward up to five years of unused concessional contributions. This is when one uses the previous year’s unused concessional contribution in a future financial year.
The person can also opt to use the bring-forward provision, which allows them to save more than the annual limit at once. These rules are:
It is crucial to mention that you should make sure that you have not invoked the rule of “bring-forward” in the previous two years of the financial year in case you want to avail this provision.
The limits refer to the total of what you contributed, regardless of whether it came through multiple source.
Contributions are usually made through organizing a bank transfer. In certain cases, as an in specie contribution, listed assets or commercial property may be contributed.
There are special rules that enable you to make additional super contribution in case you sell a business and fulfill special requirements. This contribution has its own annual cap of $1,865,000 (for the 2025/26 financial year). Eligibility and contribution amounts available depend on each person’s situation.
The rules around superannuation contributions can be complicated. When considering a contribution to super, it is best to discuss the issue with your accountant or adviser, who can assist you in untangling the mess and determining ways to maximise the tax benefits.
It is a special contribution, which is open to those above 55 years of age, and those who have sold the primary residence, which they have occupied at least 10 years. The lifetime cap is $300,000 per person (a combined $600,000 per couple).
If your income and concessional contributions exceed $250,000 in the 2026 financial year, you may have to pay an additional 15% tax on some or all of your concessional contributions, known as Div 293 Tax. For example, Mary earns a salary of $250,000, and her employer contributions for the year are $30,500.
As Mary’s salary plus her concessional contributions exceed the income threshold of $250,000, she will pay 15% contributions tax on her employer contributions, and will also be liable for Div 293 tax.
For many people in this situation, concessional contributions are still worthwhile. Although you can pay a concessional contribution tax of 30%, this is still lower than the highest marginal tax rate of 47%(including Medicare levy) which is considered among the top income earners who pay the tax of Div 293.
*’Total Superannuation Balance’ is the value of your total superannuation interests in all superannuation funds at a point in time.
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Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and should not be relied on as advice. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs and seek professional advice before making any decisions based on this information.
BackThe bring-forward provision allows individuals to contribute up to three years’ worth of non-concessional caps at once, provided they haven’t triggered the rule in the previous two years. For the 2025/26 year, if your total super balance was under $1.76M on June 30, 2025, you can contribute up to $360,000. If your balance was between $1.76M and $1.88M, the limit is $240,000.
The requirements depend on your age at the time of the contribution. If you are under 67, no work test is required. If you are between 67 and 74, you must meet a work test (or qualify for an exemption) to claim a deduction. Once you reach 75 and over, personal contributions are generally no longer accepted, with the exception of employer or downsizer contributions.
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