Superannuation is one of the best tax-saving tools available to everyday Australians. The government wants people to save for their own retirement, so it offers real incentives to put money into super — including significant tax advantages that most people don’t fully take advantage of. Before 30 June, it’s worth considering whether any of the following strategies could benefit you this year.
How much can you contribute to super this year?
There are two main types of super contributions:
- Tax-deductible contributions — this includes what your employer pays, plus any extra you put in yourself and claim as a tax deduction. The limit this year is $30,000.
- Personal contributions with no tax deduction — money you put in from your own savings without claiming it at tax time. The limit this year is $120,000.
From 1 July 2026, both limits will increase to $32,500 and $130,000 respectively. If you’ve been thinking about topping up your super, now is a good time to act.
The earlier you start, the better
The single greatest advantage super offers is time. Money inside super grows in a low-tax environment, and the longer it stays there, the more it compounds. If you put $100,000 into super at age 25 at 7% per year, by age 65 it will be worth around $1.5 million. The same amount put in at age 40 grows to just $542,000. The difference — nearly $1 million — comes purely from starting sooner.
Sharing super with your spouse
You can share some of last year’s super contributions with your spouse. Your fund transfers up to 85% of your eligible contributions across to your spouse’s account — even if they’re with a different fund. This helps balance both of your super accounts over time, which can be very useful later in life when certain limits start to apply. You have until 30 June each year to do this.
A free $500 from the government
If your income is under $62,488, there’s a little-known bonus available. Put $1,000 of your own money into super — without claiming it as a tax deduction — and the government adds $500 to your account. The full $500 applies if your income is under $37,000 and reduces gradually after that. For younger people, this is particularly powerful. A $1,000 contribution at age 20 could grow to over $31,000 by age 65.
Contribute to your spouse’s super and get money back
If your spouse earns under $40,000 a year, you can put up to $3,000 into their super — and the government will refund you 18% of what you contribute. That’s up to $540 back in your pocket at tax time, while the full $3,000 goes into your spouse’s super with no tax taken out.