Superannuation Made Simple
If you’ve worked in Australia and contributed to superannuation during your stay, you’re likely entitled to claim back the money you’ve accumulated once you leave the country.
In this guide, we’ll break down the basics and walk you through the steps to claim your superannuation with ease.
What is Superannuation? 🧐
Superannuation—often called “super”—is a retirement savings system in Australia. Employers are required to make regular contributions to your super fund as part of your salary package. You can also add to it yourself if you’d like.
The goal is to save for retirement, but here’s the good news: if you’re leaving Australia for good, you can claim your super back.
💡 Pro Tax Tip: Super is managed by funds that invest your money in things like property, shares, and bonds to help it grow. That means by the time you claim, there might be more in there than you expect.
Who Can Claim Their Super? ✅
You can claim your super once your visa has expired and you’ve left Australia—as long as you meet these conditions:
- You’ve worked in Australia and earned at least AUD 450 (before tax) in a month.
- Your visa has expired.
- You’re no longer a permanent resident or citizen of Australia.
- You’re not on a tourist visa or any other still-valid visa.
Setting Up Your Super Account 🛠️
Let’s break it down step by step:
1️⃣ Choose Your Super Fund
When you start working, your employer should ask for your super fund details. If not, just hand them a completed Superannuation Standard Choice Form.
While we don’t have a specific recommendation, we suggest considering one of the following options, as they are among the most popular funds in Australia:
- AustralianSuper
- Hostplus
- UniSuper
- SunSuper
- REST Super
💡Pro Tax Tip: Avoid having multiple super accounts. Changing jobs without updating your details can lead to duplicated accounts and extra fees. Stick to one fund to keep it simple.
2️⃣ Provide your Super details to your employer(s)
Always provide your TFN and super fund details when you start a job. This ensures your employer sends contributions to the right account—and you don’t lose track of your money.
3️⃣ Check your Super account
Log into your super fund’s online portal regularly to check if your contributions are being made correctly. Every time you change jobs, it’s a good idea to double-check your balance and details.
If something looks off, contact your employer or fund right away!
Claiming Your Super After You Leave ✈️
Once your visa expires and you’ve officially left Australia, you can lodge a DASP (Departing Australia Superannuation Payment) claim.
Here’s what you’ll need:
📄 Visa grant and expiration details
📄 Proof of identity (passport)
📄 Details of your super fund(s)
📄 TFN (helps the process go faster)
Need Help? We’ve Got You. 💬
If you run into any issues—whether it’s accessing myGov, linking to the ATO, or figuring out your tax and super—we’ve got your back. Reach out to us anytime via WhatsApp or email, and we’ll help you get things sorted, no stress.
Our next guide walks you through everything you need to know to link your MyGov Account to ATO Services 👇