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If you need to apply because of financial hardship
You can apply for early access to your super because of severe financial hardship through your super fund.
We don’t make decisions about early access to super or decide if you’re in financial hardship. Your super fund makes these decisions according to the legislative requirements outlined in the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 on the Federal Register of Legislation website. They may want evidence from us to confirm if you meet the income support requirements for financial hardship. We can give you a letter to give to your fund. Some funds can use our Centrelink Confirmation eServices to check if you’ve been getting a payment from us for the required time. But you must agree before they do this.
Find out how to request evidence if you’re in severe financial hardship.
Read about early access to your super on the Australian Tax Office (ATO) website.
If you need to apply on compassionate grounds
If you want to apply for an early release of your super on compassionate grounds, you must contact the ATO. Read more about early access to your super on compassionate grounds on the ATO website.
If you need to apply for other reasons
Contact your super fund to discuss how to apply to get your super early for any other reason.
If you are in a crisis or severe financial hardship you can find out more information about Emergency Relief services, including how to access these services, on the Department of Social Services website.