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After-tax super contributions

Retire couple laughing

Add to your super after tax

When you make an after-tax contribution, you’re adding extra money to your super for your retirement. You might boost your balance with some of your take-home pay (after it’s been taxed), or you may dip into your savings instead.[S1]

It’s called an ‘after-tax’ contribution because you've already paid income tax on the money you’re contributing. You might also know this type of contribution as a ‘non-concessional’ or ‘personal’ contribution.

You might make this contribution if you want to top up your super outside of salary sacrifice.

 

How contributions flow into super

Diagram showing how before‑tax and after‑tax contributions flow into super, helping your super balance grow faster.

How can I make after-tax contributions?

There are different ways you can contribute to your super. You can make a lump sum when it works for you or set up recurring payments if you want to contribute regularly.

Plus, you can contribute money from:

  • your take-home pay (after it’s been taxed)
  • a work bonus, tax refund or inheritance
  • extra savings you’ve set aside.

Note: Some other contributions also come from after-tax money but follow separate rules, like downsizer contributions and spouse contributions.

Potential benefits of making after-tax contributions

Putting in a little extra from your after-tax income can be a flexible way to grow your super, especially if you’re not using salary sacrifice.[S1]

There are plenty of benefits:


How does contributing $20 a week help grow my super?

Meet Sophie. At age 25, she earns $70,000 a year and hopes to retire at 67. Here’s how her retirement balance could change by adding a little extra into her super each week:
 

Added to super per year Retirement balance
$0 $690,000
$520 $729,000
$1,040 $768,000
$2,600 $885,000
  • Retirement balances are rounded to the nearest $1,000. 
  • Numbers are presented in today's dollars, deflated using Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) at 3.7% p.a. 
  • Personal after-tax contributions are assumed to be made monthly, are increased in line with assumed AWOTE increases of 3.7% p.a. and assumes non-concessional contribution caps are indexed in line with AWOTE. ·
  • Based on an average Aware Super female member aged 25, with a current balance of $20,000, earning $70,000 p.a., who will be earning $90,000 p.a. by age 40 (in today's dollars) and planning to retire at age 67. 
  • Based on SG of 12%. 
  • Based on current legislated tax rates as at 1 July 2025 and incorporating future legislated tax changes up to financial year 2027/28. 
  • Asset-based fee is assumed to be 0.15% p.a., capped at a maximum of $750 p.a. Fee cap is indexed in line with AWOTE of 3.7% p.a. 
  • Fixed fee is assumed to be $52 p.a., increasing in line with assumed wage inflation of 3.7% p.a. 
  • Investment returns are based on the Aware Super MySuper Life Cycle option, assumed to be CPI + 4% until age 55, reducing from CPI + 4% to CPI + 2.75% between the ages 55–65 (inclusive) and CPI + 2.75% from age 65 onwards. 
  • Investment returns are assumed to be net of tax. 
  • CPI is assumed to be 2.5% p.a. 
  • No insurance premium is considered 
  • Projection does not allow for any Low-Income Super Tax Offset (LISTO) or Government Co-Contribution amounts.
  • This example is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to provide a guarantee on outcome. It is a broad illustration of the steps a member could take, but the actions appropriate for an individual will vary depending on their personal circumstances. The case study is based on current regulatory requirements and laws, including tax rates, which may be subject to change. Investment return assumptions are for illustrative purposes only and for simplicity assume an average rate of return each year throughout the investment period. Actual returns year on year may vary materially and can be negative as well. If investment returns/inflation are higher/lower, final balances will differ. Consider if this is right for you and read our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making a decision about Aware.

What is the bring forward arrangement?

If you’re under 75 years old, you may be able to make up to three years’ worth of personal contributions in a single financial year. This is known as the bring forward arrangement.

So, what does it mean? Essentially, that you’re not limited to the usual $130,000 contribution cap. Instead, you can contribute up to three times the cap amount (which is $390,000), depending on your total super balance.

See how much you can contribute

How to claim a tax deduction on your contributions

You may be able to claim your personal contributions as a tax deduction to potentially pay less in tax. Making a tax claim turns your personal contributions into concessional ones, which are taxed at 15%.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works:

  1. Make an after-tax contribution.
  2. Submit a notice of intent to claim in Member Online before you lodge your tax return.
  3.  Wait for written confirmation from your super fund.
  4. Once confirmed, those contributions will count toward your concessional cap.
     

How deductions work and when to lodge your notice

What do I need to consider?

Before making after-tax contributions, here’s what you need to consider:

  • Be careful about exceeding the annual cap or extra tax may apply.
  • Your total super balance must be less than the general transfer balance cap on 30 June of the previous financial year. 
  • Contributions may affect your transfer balance cap. 
  • If you plan to use super to buy your first home, there are specific contribution and withdrawal rules. 
  • Check the ATO to see your eligibility for claiming a tax deduction on any after-tax contributions. 

How to make an after-tax (non-concessional) contribution

A step-by-step guide to adding money to your super

You can use BPAY®[L1] or direct debit to add money to your super.

Choose an amount and frequency in Member Online or the Aware Super app. You can change or stop this anytime.

Log in to Member Online to see your BPAY®[L1] biller code and reference or contact us for help.

FAQ

It’s another name for an after-tax (or personal) contribution and is extra money you can add to super.

Because you’ve already paid income tax on the money you’re contributing, the full amount goes into your super and counts toward your non-concessional cap.

No, after-tax contributions aren’t taxed when they go into your account. Keep in mind that any earnings from your super investments are taxed at 15%, which is usually lower than your marginal tax rate (the highest rate of tax you’ll pay on your income).

For the 2026/27 financial year, you can contribute up to $130,000 in after-tax contributions. If you’re eligible, you can also bring forward up to three years’ worth of contributions (up to $390,000) in a single year.

It really depends on your income and situation. For example, if you’re on a low income then your income tax rate might be lower than the 15% contributions tax that applies to salary sacrifice. So in that case, you could pay less tax by making after-tax contributions.

For many people, salary sacrifice can reduce your taxable income and help you save on tax. After-tax contributions don’t reduce your tax, but they may make you eligible for government co-contributions or help you save for your first home. If you have a HECS/HELP debt, salary sacrifice contributions are included in your repayment income, so you might end up paying more towards your loan when you lodge your tax return.

They can be if you lodge a notice of intent to claim and receive confirmation before you do your tax return. This converts them into concessional contributions, which results in the 15% contribution tax being collected.

Yes. The first home super saver (FHSS) scheme lets you save for a home deposit by making voluntary before- or after-tax contributions to your super. Generally, as these contributions are taxed at the concessional super rate, the scheme can help you pay less tax and put more money towards your deposit. You can withdraw eligible voluntary contributions (including after-tax contributions) when you’re ready to buy your first home, but there are specific limits and rules, so check the details first.

Get help and advice
You don't have to go it alone. Talk to a super expert at no extra cost.[AD2]
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Where to next?

Calculate your super 
My Retirement PlannerTM estimates how much super you’ll need and how changes could impact your retirement. 
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Salary sacrifice
See how pre-tax contributions work and how they may reduce tax.
Learn about salary sacrifice
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Attend an education event
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[AD2] Members can get advice about their Aware Super accounts at no extra cost, or advice on their broader needs for a fee.

[L1] ®Registered to BPAY Pty Ltd (ABN 69 079 137 518)

[S1] Before contributing, consider the current annual contribution limits. Exceeding these limits may reduce any tax benefits you could receive. Visit Grow your super for more information.