Yes, however you need to meet eligibility rules to access your super early.

You normally cannot use your super until you reach your preservation age. Read about preservation age on the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website.

To get your super released early you must meet one of these eligibility requirements:

• Be in severe financial hardship
• Have a terminal illness
• Be a temporary resident
• Have less than $200 in your super fund
• Meet compassionate grounds.

The ATO will approve the release your super on compassionate grounds if you:

• Meet the eligibility requirements of the compassionate ground you’re applying for
• Have not paid for the expense. If you have already paid the expense using a loan, a credit card or money borrowed from family or friends, you do not meet the eligibility requirements
• Cannot afford to pay the expenses without accessing your super – for example, by obtaining a loan or using your savings
• Are a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand
• Provide all required supporting evidence and invoices/quotes.

Compassionate grounds include:

• Medical treatment and medical transport for you or a dependant
• Palliative care for you or a dependant
• Making a payment on a loan or council rates so you don't lose your home
• Modifying your home or vehicle, or buying disability aids for you or a dependant because of a severe disability
• Expenses associated with a death, funeral or burial for a dependant.

We help guide you through the application process and what is required to support your application. If you require Financial Advice you will need to contact a professional licensed financial advisor. My Super Assist does not provide Financial Advice.

Yes, you may be eligible for compassionate release of super to pay for necessary medical treatment or medical transport expenses for you or your dependant.

The application is a three-part process. Before you apply, check with your super provider whether they allow the early release of super.

Part 1 - Complete the online form

Part 2 - Await ATO decision

Part 3 - If approved, approach your super fund requesting payment

The ATO can take up to 14 days to assess your eligibility for compassionate release of super once the application has been lodged together with all the necessary documentation.

If your application is successful, the ATO will notify you and also notify your super provider.           You must contact your super provider to arrange release of your funds. The ATO will issue an approval letter and you will need to provide the super provider with the approval letter to process your payment.

You must pay the expenses with the amount released from the provider and keep your receipts as evidence.

Some super funds cannot release super early, you should contact your super provider to ask about:

• Whether they will release super early under compassionate grounds
• Whether there is sufficient balance in your account
• Any fees & charges for releasing super early under compassionate grounds
• Tax on the amount released
• Implication on any insurances attached to your accounts.

There are no special tax rates for a super withdrawal on compassionate grounds. It is paid and taxed as per a normal super lump sum. The tax rates depend upon various factors including age and the components of the super lump sum. Refer to the super lump sum tax table available on the ATO website for further information.

If you don't agree with the ATO’s decision you can contact them for an explanation on why your application was rejected.

If your application was not approved because you didn't provide sufficient evidence, you need to submit a new application with all the required documentation.

If your application was partially approved and you have new evidence, you need to submit a new application with the required documentation for only the balance that was not approved.

If your application was rejected because you didn’t provide sufficient evidence, a request for review generally won’t be successful. If you have new or additional information, you should submit a new application.

No, treatment plans do not meet the criteria set out by the ATO. You need to supply a quote or invoice.