Government co-contribution

Simply make a voluntary after-tax payment into your super and you could receive up to $1,000 tax-free.

It's easy

1. Do you earn less than $61,920 per year? If so, view the table below and see how much co-contribution you could receive or let our calculator do the work

2. Not sure if you're eligible? Spend a minute or two reviewing the co-contribution criteria

3. Do you want to make a payment? Click here to view your payment options

4. Need more information? Learn about what is a co-contribution

5. Why not set yourself up and make smaller regular payments throughout the year?

6. If we don't have your Tax File Number, you could be paying more tax than necessary and we can't accept your voluntary contribution. Find out more.

How much will I get?

The table below shows how much you may need to contribute to receive the maximum Government co-contribution for your income level during the 2009/10 financial year.

If your assessable income and reportable fringe benefits are...	And you contribute this...	You'll be eligible for the maximum co-contribution
$31,920 or less	$1,000	$1,000
$33,920	$933	$933
$35,920	$867	$867
$37,920	$800	$800
$39,920	$733	$733
$41,920	$667	$667
$43,920	$600	$600
$45,920	$533	$533
$47,920	$467	$467
$49,920	$400	$400
$51,920	$333	$333
$53,920	$267	$267
$55,920	$200	$200
$57,920	$133	$133
$59,920	$67	$67
$61,920+	$0	$0

For a more exact figure, why not try our Contributions calculator and use your own total income.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) determines the amount of Government co-contribution you're eligible for after they receive your annual tax return. This amount will be automatically credited to the super fund of your choice.

Try our contributions calculator

This calculator will help you compare the benefits of making salary sacrifice contributions (before income tax has been applied) and voluntary contributions from your own income (after income tax has been deducted) into your super.

Click here to try it now!

Am I eligible?

To qualify for the full $1,000 you need to earn $31,920 or less and pay in $1,000 of your own money. But you can still get some money from the Government if you earn up to $61,920 or pay in less than $1,000*.

As your income goes up the total the Government will pay you falls, but they still pay up to $1.00 for every $1 you put in. For example, if you earn $46,920 you only need to put in $500 to get a Government co-contribution of $500.

To qualify for the co-contribution, you must (during this 2009/10 tax year):

Have made an extra, after-tax contribution to your superannuation account (salary sacrifice contributions are made before-tax and do not count for co-contribution purposes)
Earn less than $61,920 (assessable income, reportable fringe benefits and reportable superannuation contributions)
Be a permanent resident and aged less than 71 years of age at the end of the financial year you made the payment
Lodge a tax return (after 2009/10 tax year)
Earn 10% or more of your total income from eligible employment, running a business or a combination both.

If you are self-employed you may also qualify for a Government co-contribution, provided you meet eligibility requirements 1 to 5 outlined above.

^{* The lower and high income thresholds for co-contributions are indexed and will change from year to year.}

How to make a co-contribution payment

You can make a payment via:

BPAY® using MemberOnline
POSTBillpay® using MemberOnline
Direct debit using MemberOnline (you will need to download and complete the Voluntary contributions form to use this payment facility)
A cheque made payable to AustralianSuper (Please send the cheque to AustralianSuper, attached to a completed Voluntary contributions form)
In person (cash, cheque or money order). Review AustralianSuper's front counter addresses and opening hours.

Click here to learn more about accessing and using MemberOnline.

For further assistance with making a co-contribution payment, call us on 1300 300 273.

Once the Australian Taxation Office receives your annual tax return and confirms that you meet the eligibility rules, they’ll then determine the amount of co-contribution reward you'll receive. They will then pay the co-contribution directly into your super account for you.

What is a co-contribution?

If you earn less than $61,920 a year and you make voluntary contributions to your super from your after-tax pay, the Government will chip in up to $1,000 into your super account. This Government payment is called a co-contribution. Some eligibility rules do apply.

Make regular and smaller payments

Why not set yourself up to start making regular, smaller payments that add up to $1,000 for next year. It doesn't have to be a single lump sum contribution of $1,000 to get the Government's co-contribution.

Download a Direct Debit form to set up regular payments from your nominated bank account, or talk to your employer about deducting regular payments from your wages.

What happens if I have not supplied my Tax File Number (TFN)?

If we don’t have your TFN you could pay more tax on your super than you need to.

Also we will not be able to accept after-tax payments from you into your super account, and that means you could miss out on your co-contribution.

Click here to provide you TFN now.

Will my reward be tax-free?

The co-contribution is tax-free and is not taxed when it’s deposited or withdrawn from your super account.