Superannuation Government Co-contributions | Aware Super

If you earn less than $54,837 in the 2020-21 financial year you could be eligible for a government co-contribution of up to $500 when you make a personal after-tax contribution.

The co-contribution scheme means that, for every dollar you put into super from your after-tax pay, the government may match it with up to 50 cents for up to $500.

The best part about it? You don’t have to fill in a single form beyond lodging an annual tax return.

If you qualify for the co-contribution, the ATO will do the heavy lifting and make sure payments are made to your super fund automatically.

Government policies can change regularly, so consider acting now while the scheme is still around.

Who can receive a co-contribution?

If you are a low or middle-income earner and make personal (after-tax) contributions to your super, you may also qualify for the government’s co-contribution up to a maximum amount of $500. You may be eligible for a co-contribution if you:

earn less than $54,837 before tax, including assessable income
earn 10% or more of that income from employment or self-employment
have not exceeded the total superannuation balance of $1.6m (at the start of the financial year) or the after-tax contributions cap
are a permanent resident of Australia for the full 2020-21 financial year
lodge a tax return for the 2020-21 financial year
are less than 71 years of age at the end of the 2020-21 financial year; and
satisfy the work test if you are 67 years of age or more (which means you would have worked a minimum of 40 hours within 30 consecutive days in the financial year you make the contribution) or meet the work test exemption.

The good news is you don't need to apply. Once you have made your contribution, all you have to do is lodge your tax return for the financial year. If you're eligible and we have your tax file number (TFN) the Australian Tax Office will credit the co-contribution to your super account automatically.

Please note, to accept your contributions, we must have your TFN linked to your account. If you believe we may not have your TFN, you can provide it to us by calling us on 1300 650 873 Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 6:00pm (AEST/AEDT).

How to make your contribution

To be eligible to receive your government co-contribution for this financial year, you’ll need to make a personal contribution to your account. The quickest and easiest way to do this is via BPAY, but you can also EFT your contribution or set up a direct debit.

Ways to pay

Aware Super App

The award-winning Aware Super app has been designed by members, for members and is available now. You can use the mobile app to make a one-off contribution or consolidate your super. If you don’t have the app – you can learn more about it and download the app:

BPAY

This is the quickest and easiest way to make a payment.

You have a unique Customer Reference Number (CRN) depending on the type of contribution you want to make. Please note your CRN changed on 15 August 2016. This means you will need to update your banking records with your new details.

You can find your BPAY biller code and CRN by logging into your online account.

Just enter the details into your online or phone banking the same way you would with a utility bill.

Remember, your CRN is a unique number that is different to your membership number. It helps us identify you and makes sure your money goes into your online account.

Electronic Funds Transfer

You can make an internet or phone banking payment using the following details:

Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Account name: Aware Super
BSB: 062 000
Account No: 10226245
To account description: Use your Aware Super member number plus the first six letters of your surname.

To make sure we correctly identify your payment, you need to send us a completed Contributions by EFT form. This can be done online via your online account, or you can send us a copy by post or email: cru@mercer.com.

View our post details

Direct debit

Did you know you can easily make monthly personal contributions or spouse contributions by direct debit? It’s easy to set up a direct debit via your online account. Alternatively, you can fill in and send us the direct debit form by post. The details can be found within the linked form.

Raiz

The Raiz app is like a virtual piggybank. Linked to your credit or debit card, the app rounds up the cost of everyday purchases and invests the difference for you. You can then use the money you save to boost your super, by making a personal contribution from the app to your account using BPAY®.

Tell me more about Raiz

Don’t forget, the government sets limits on how much you can contribute

The current personal after-tax contributions cap is $100,000 annually or $300,000 over a three-year period if you are under 65 years old at the start of the financial year.

Only people with a total superannuation balance of less than $1.6 million at the start of the financial year will be eligible to make non-concessional contributions.

Amounts over these caps are known as excess contributions. If you exceed the cap, the ATO will give you an opportunity to withdraw the excess amount from your super fund, along with 85% of the investment earnings. Any associated earnings withdrawn will be taxed at your marginal rate of tax, less a 15% rebate for tax already paid in the fund. If this is not withdrawn, the excess contributions are taxed at 47%.