If you're working, you should get paid super. Learn how to find and access your super, and how to make sure it goes where you want when you pass away.
How super works
Super is money for your retirement. The money stays in a super fund and is invested so it can earn interest and grow.
Your employer must pay 11% of what you earn into your super fund.
In most cases, you're eligible to receive super from your employer. Even if you have a casual job, your employer must pay you super.
If you're under 18, you're eligible to receive super if you work more than 30 hours in a week, regardless of how much you earn.
Super funds may also provide you with insurance for a fee. This will help your family with some money if you pass away or are too sick to work.
Find out more about how super works.
Finding your super
You can check your super by registering for Australian Taxation Office (ATO) online services via myGov. The ATO can search for all your super accounts for you if you call 13 10 30.
Keep your contact details up to date so you don't lose track of your super and your fund doesn't lose track of you.
Proving your identity to your super fund
Your super fund may ask you to provide evidence that you are the owner of your super account. This is to keep your super safe.
You may be asked for a current Australian driver's licence, passport or a current proof of age card containing your photo.
You might have trouble proving who you are to the super fund if:
- You don't have any of these identification documents.
- The names or dates on your documents are different to those on your super account.
If you're having trouble proving your identity, the super fund should follow Austrac's flexible approach to the identification and verification of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
If you need help, contact our Indigenous Help Line on 1300 365 957.
Getting your super early
Usually, you're not allowed to touch your super until you reach a certain age or until you retire.
There are strict laws about when you can access your super money early, even if it's for hardship or compassionate reasons. If you think you need to get some of your super money early, talk to your super fund, a financial counsellor or a financial capability worker.
Find out more about getting your super.
Watch out for super scammers
Stay away from people who say they can help you get your super early for a fee. This is illegal and these people are scammers who just want to get your super money. Some people have lost all their super savings and risked paying extra tax because they got caught up in one of these scams.
If someone tries to convince you to get your super out early, call ASIC's Indigenous Help Line on 1300 365 957. See superannuation scams for more information.
Passing on your super when you pass away
When you pass away, your super fund will pay your super to your dependants. Your dependants are people who depend on you financially. For example, your husband or wife and children. Your dependants receive:
- the money in your super account
- any life insurance you have with your super
You can tell your super fund where you want your super to go when you pass away by filling out a beneficiary nomination form:
- A valid binding nomination is an instruction your super fund must follow when you pass away.
- A non-binding nomination is an instruction that will guide the super fund, but they are not forced to follow.