Skip to main content

We use cookies to better deliver personalised content. Read about how it works.

Accessing super due to a terminal medical condition

Retire couple laughing

A diagnosis of a terminal medical condition brings an emotional and practical load that no one is ever prepared for. If you’re navigating this situation, we’re here to help you understand your options for your super and make the next steps as smooth as possible.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to access your super early, as well as any terminal illness insurance benefit if you hold death cover. This is known as a terminal medical condition release.

How much can I withdraw?

If your application is approved, you can typically withdraw your full super balance (the total in your account at the time of the request) tax-free.

If you also hold death cover and your application is approved, the death cover amount at your date of terminal illness (up to $5 million, even if you have higher death cover) is also paid into your Future Saver account. It’s up to you whether you’d like to withdraw some or all of your super from your Future Saver account. Read the relevant Insurance Handbook or the Terminal Illness fact sheet to see how to claim a terminal illness benefit.

 

I have death cover including terminal illness cover   I don’t have insurance cover  
You may be entitled to an early terminal illness benefit, which is paid to you tax-free. Once the payment has been made, your death cover will end or reduce.You can still access the full balance of your super account under the terminal medical condition rules. This withdrawal is generally tax-free.

Am I eligible to apply?

You can apply for early access to your super due to terminal illness when:

  • Two registered medical practitioners have certified that you suffer from an illness, or have incurred an injury, that is likely to result in your death within 24 months
  • At least one of the medical practitioners must be a specialist related to your illness or injury.
  • You are applying as an Aware Super member in your own name.
  • If you’re claiming insurance, you also meet the eligibility requirements of the insurer. You can find the full eligibility requirements in your Insurance Handbook.
Case study: Maria's story

Maria is 52 years old. After receiving a terminal diagnosis, she finds out she has two separate pools of money that she may be entitled to:

Her super balance: $150,000

This is the money she's built up in her Aware Super account through years of contributions and investment growth.[P1] It belongs to her regardless of any insurance she holds.

Her death cover (insurance): $200,000

This is a separate insurance benefit attached to her super account and is not part of her super balance. It's an additional amount that would normally be paid to her beneficiaries when she passes away. Because of her terminal diagnosis, she can access it early as a terminal illness benefit.

After her two doctors confirm her terminal condition, Maria applies for both. Once approved:

  • She receives $150,000 from her super.
  • She receives $200,000 from her terminal illness insurance benefit.
  • $200,000 is paid into her Future Saver account, and the total payment is $350,000.
  • Once the insurance payment is made, her death cover ends. This is because it has already been paid out early.

Unsure about what your insurance covers? Log in to Member Online, read the Fact Sheet or get in touch with us.

What documents will I need?

You’ll need:

  • Two medical certificates, dated within the last 24 months. One must be from a specialist (e.g. an oncologist for cancer or cardiologist for heart conditions). Both certificates must confirm your terminal prognosis of within 24 months.
  • Proof of identity, ideally through electronic verification or other valid ID documents. Check how to verify your documents.

In the claim form, you can nominate a representative who can act on your behalf in relation to this claim.

How do I apply?

Step 1: Download your claim pack or contact us

There are two ways to get started:

  1. Log in to Member Online, go to your Insurance summary page and select Make a claim, then choose Terminal medical condition to access and download your claim pack. 
Or, you can:
  2. Call us on 1300 650 873 to speak with our friendly team. Have your member number, account number and date of birth ready. We may also ask for some initial information about your diagnosis to make sure we point you in the right direction.

Step 2: Complete your claim pack and send it back to us

  • Your claim pack will include forms for you and your two medical practitioners to complete. Once you have everything filled in and signed, send it back to us. We can only begin assessing your claim once we have all the necessary paperwork.

Step 3: We review your claim

  • Once we receive your completed claim pack, we'll check that everything is in order. If anything is missing, we'll let you know straight away.
  • A dedicated Aware Super case manager will be assigned to your claim. They'll oversee the process, answer any questions you have, and keep you updated throughout.
  • If you also have death cover, we'll submit your claim to the insurer, who will assign their own insurance case manager to look after you during the insurance assessment.

Step 4: The insurer makes a decision (if applicable)

  • If you have an insurance claim, the insurer will review your documents and may contact you or your treating doctor for further information. They will decide whether to approve or decline the terminal illness benefit and let us know the outcome.
  • If the insurer proposes to decline your claim, they'll write to you and us explaining the reasons and give you 28 days to provide any additional information before a final decision is made. We'll also independently review their decision to make sure it's fair and reasonable.

Step 5: We let you know the outcome and arrange payment (if approved)

  • Once a decision has been made, we'll write to you with the outcome. If your claim is approved and we have your payment instructions and proof of identity, we'll arrange payment directly into your nominated bank account.
  • If your claim is declined, we'll explain the reasons and let you know what options are available to you, including how to lodge a complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) if needed.

How do I help a loved one apply?

If you’re assisting a family member or someone in your care, contact us to organise authority to act on their behalf. We'll connect you with a dedicated case manager who’ll walk you through the process and the documents you'll need.

How long will my application take?

Processing times will depend on your documents and insurer involvement, but once approved, payments are usually processed within 3 to 5 business days.

We’ll keep you updated via email or SMS. If we need additional information, your case manager will reach out to you directly.

If you have questions or need an update, contact us.

How much tax will I pay?

Withdrawals under the terminal medical condition rules are generally tax-free, including:

  • Your super balance, withdrawn after your doctors certify your condition.
  • Any insurance benefit you receive as part of your terminal illness claim.
  • If your medical certification expires before withdrawal, a new certification will be required for the funds to remain tax-free.

Find more details about how super is taxed.

Things to know

  • If your death cover is paid early as a terminal illness benefit, it will reduce or end.
  • Defined benefit and other special arrangements may have different rules. Contact us if you’re unsure.
  • If you don’t meet the terminal medical condition rules, you may be able to access your super on compassionate grounds or financial hardship.
  • If you pass away before your benefit is fully paid, any remaining super will be paid to your nominated beneficiaries according to fund rules.

FAQ

You can usually withdraw your full available super balance as long as you’re eligible. If you also have death cover insurance, you may be able to receive your terminal illness insurance benefit, too. Both are generally tax-free.

If your terminal illness benefit is paid, it’s treated as an early payment of your death cover. Your death cover will reduce or end after the payment.

Compassionate grounds apply when you need funds for certain unpaid expenses like medical treatment or preventing home foreclosure. A terminal medical condition allows access to your full super balance when two doctors certify your prognosis of passing away within 24 months.

If your condition improves and your certification expires, your super account remains open. Any future withdrawals would need to meet the usual preservation rules or another release condition.

No, you don’t need to tell your employer to access your super under this condition. Your employer contributions will continue as usual if you’re still working.

Both doctors must agree on your diagnosis and prognosis. If there’s disagreement, you may need a further specialist opinion before your application can be assessed.

Yes, with your written authority. We can help your carer or family member obtain the right permissions and guide them through the process. Contact us to arrange this.

As well as helping you access your super, we can help support you and your loved ones with:

  • Grief support counselling services
  • Health support services via Teledoc.
  • Financial advice from qualified advisors, to help you understand your options. There’s nothing to pay.

For more information, contact us or call 1300 650 873.

Get help and advice

You don't have to go it alone. Talk to a super expert at no extra cost.[AD2]
Talk to an expert Not a member yet?

Where to next?

Check or update my insurance
Make sure your cover reflects your current situation.
Log in to Member Online
Explore other early access options
See the different situations where you may be able to withdraw your super.
See early access options
Get help or advice from our team
Find an advice appointment that’s right for you and your needs. Our team are here to help.
Explore advice options

[AD2] Members can get advice about their Aware Super accounts at no extra cost, or advice on their broader needs for a fee.

[P1] Aware Super's High Growth option return over 10 years to 30 June 2026. SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey, June 2026. Based on the SR Growth (77-90) Index. Returns are after tax and investment management expenses but before the deduction of administration fees. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.