Things to consider before 30 June 2026
1. It’s all about timing
If you are making contributions and have a retail or industry super fund, please check the fund website for cut off dates or call our office.
If you have a Self-Managed Super Fund, ensure pension payments leave the bank account by close of business on 30 June.
Action: Aim to process payments by 22 June or earlier to reduce end-of-year timing risk.
2. Review your Concessional Contributions (CC) options
The 2025–26 concessional cap is $30,000, including employer contributions, salary sacrifice and personal deductible contributions.
Action: to determine if you have any capacity, check your year-to-date total in ATO online services.
This strategy may also suit retirees or those with a large capital gains, provided they meet the contribution rules and stay within available limits, including any carried-forward concessional amounts.
3. Consider using the ‘Unused Carry Forward Concessional Contribution’ limits
If your total super balance was under $500,000 at the previous 1 July, you may be able to use unused concessional cap amounts from up to five earlier years to make extra concessional contributions.
Action: Review your unused carried-forward amounts now, especially if you still have 2020–21 amounts available before they expire after 30 June 2026.
4. Review plans for Non-Concessional Contributions (NCC) options
The 2025–26 non-concessional cap is $120,000 a year, or up to $360,000 under the bring-forward rule.
Action: consider whether contributing to the lower-balance spouse could improve tax efficiency and increase pension-phase assets.
5. Recontribution strategies
Recontribution strategies can help increase the tax-free component of super and may reduce tax on death benefits paid to non-tax dependants.
Action: Consider whether a withdrawal and recontribution before 30 June fits your cap and balance position.
6. Downsizer contributions
If you are over 55 and selling your home, you may be eligible to make a downsizer contribution of up to $300,000 per person from the sale proceeds.
Action: make the contribution within 90 days of settlement.
Used with the bring-forward non-concessional cap, this can allow a large one-year contribution, subject to eligibility and contribution limits.
7. Calculate co-contributions
If eligible, a co-contribution can be a simple way to boost your super. If your total income is equal to or less than the lower threshold and you make a non-concessional contribution of $1,000 to your super account, you will receive the maximum co-contribution of $500.
Action: Check the thresholds and eligibility criteria here: Government contributions | Australian Taxation Office
8. Examine spouse contributions and spouse contribution splitting
If your spouse’s income is below the relevant threshold, a spouse contribution may deliver a tax offset.
Action: check eligibility before contributing.
Spouse contributions can generally be used up to age 75 and count toward the receiving spouse’s non-concessional cap.
Contribution splitting may also help if one spouse has a much higher balance, if there is an age gap, or if it improves access to concessions or Age Pension outcomes.
9. Give notice of intent to claim a deduction for contributions.
If you plan to claim a tax deduction for personal concessional contributions, you must lodge a valid notice of intent to claim or vary a deduction.
Action: Submit the notice before starting a pension or taking a lump sum from the fund.
10. Review options on pension payments
Make sure the minimum pension for the year has been paid.
| Age at 1 July | Standard Minimum % withdrawal |
|---|---|
| Under 65 | 4% |
| 65-74 | 5% |
| 75-79 | 6% |
| 80-84 | 7% |
| 85-89 | 9% |
| 90-94 | 11% |
| 95 or older | 14% |
Warning
Before taking any action, you should seek advice to confirm if any of the above applies to your circumstance – failure to do so may have unintended consequences.