In Australia superannuation generally cannot be accessed before you are at least 55 years old.
However, under some very specific circumstances, the law allows you to access your superannuation earlier.
This information outlines those situations in which you may make an application to APRA, your fund or another agency for the release of your funds.
Further information is contained in APRA’s brochure “Superannuation - Release of Benefits - Early release of Superannuation Benefits – Information for Applicants”.
Specified compassionate grounds for release (administered by APRA)
APRA administers the very limited circumstances where benefits may be released on specified compassionate grounds. These are defined in Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations and only cover expenses in respect of:
Medical treatment
To help pay for medical costs, for you or your dependant, required to:
- treat a life-threatening illness or injury; and/or
- alleviate acute or chronic physical pain; and/or
- alleviate an acute or chronic mental condition
provided that the treatment is not readily available through the public health system and is not covered by any applicable private health insurance and/or Workers’ Compensation.
Download information on the documentation required from medical practitioners.
Medical transport
To assist with the cost of transportation to and from medical treatment, for you or your dependant, when that treatment is required to:
- treat a life-threatening illness or injury; and/or
- alleviate acute or chronic physical pain; and/or
- alleviate an acute or chronic mental condition
provided that the transport is not readily available through the public health system and is not covered by any applicable private health insurance and/or Workers’ Compensation.
Mortgage assistance
To prevent your home from being sold by the lender with whom you have the home’s mortgage.
Download information on the documentation required from mortgagees (lenders).
This ground does not include rent, or making payment on a mortgage:
- for which you expect to have difficulty paying in the future (but are not yet in arrears);
- for which you are in arrears, but not to the extent that the lender has decided to sell;
- for which one of your dependants, other family member or friend is liable; or
- that is for a second or investment property.
Modifications to your home and/or motor vehicle
To pay for modifications required to accommodate special needs if you or one of your dependants has a severe disability
Funeral assistance
To assist with funeral, burial, cremation and other expenses related to the death of a dependant.
The deceased person must have been reliant on you financially, domestically or personally on you: it is not enough that the person was a family member.
Care for terminal medical condition
To provide care for yourself or your dependant if you or your dependant is dying from a terminal medical condition. This kind of care is often referred to as “palliative care”.
The law also allows APRA to approve applications for early release of benefits where the circumstances are consistent with, or directly related to, each of the specified grounds listed above.
Important:
Before making an application to APRA please check with your fund or RSA provider that they will be able to take action on any approval to release given by APRA. This is because the early release of benefits to members who meet a condition of release on one of the above specified grounds will still be subject to the governing rules of their fund. These also apply to superannuation savings held in Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs).
Please ensure that you select the correct form and that you provide all the information requested in the form. If your application is incomplete, a decision on whether you meet the requirments will be delayed until all of the information required by APRA has been provided.
Download information brochure
Download information on the documentation required from mortgagees (lenders)
Download application form for medical treatment or medical transport
Download application form for mortgage assistance
Download application form for modifications to home or vehicle to meet special needs of a disability
Download application form for palliative care
Download application form for funeral, death, or burial expenses
Other grounds not administered by APRA on which you can seek release are:
