There are very limited circumstances where you can access your super early. These circumstances are mainly related to specific medical conditions, severe financial hardship or the First home super saver scheme.
You can withdraw your super:
- when you turn 65 (even if you haven’t retired)
- when you reach preservation age and retire, or
- under the transition to retirement rules, while continuing to work.
Your preservation age is not the same as your pension age. Your preservation age is the age at which you can access your super if you are retired (or have started a transition to a retirement income stream). Refer to the Department of Human Services for the age pension eligibility requirements.
Your preservation age depends on when you were born. You can use this table to work out your preservation age.
Preservation age based on date of birth
| Date of birth | Preservation age |
| Before 1 July 1960 | 55 |
| 1 July 1960 – 30 June 1961 | 56 |
| 1 July 1961 – 30 June 1962 | 57 |
| 1 July 1962 – 30 June 1963 | 58 |
| 1 July 1963 – 30 June 1964 | 59 |
| From 1 July 1964 | 60 |
Temporary residents and super
If you have worked and earned super while visiting Australia on a temporary visa, you can apply to have this super paid to you.
When you leave Australia, you may be eligible to claim that super back as a departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP). There are requirements you will need to meet to claim your DASP.
Your DASP is taxed before you receive it. The DASP tax rate is different for working holiday makers (WHM). If you hold (or held) a 417 (Working Holiday) or 462 (Work and Holiday) visa you are classified as a WHM (Source ATO).
You can nominate a tax agent with full registration to claim DASP for you. If you require any assistance, please contact our Business Mantra experts on (08) 9242 3555 or email us at info@businessmantra.com.au. We shall be glad to serve you.