Financial hardship

You can usually access your superannuation benefits once you reach your preservation age.You may be able to receive part of your benefit earlier if you meet the criteria for early release on either financial hardship or compassionate grounds:

1. Severe financial hardship

There is certain information you would need to provide in support of an application for early release of your superannuation on the grounds of severe financial hardship. To find out what information you must provide with your application, download and read the fact sheet Access to super due to severe financial hardship. In addition to providing the information outlined in the fact sheet, your application would be subject to receiving approval from the Trustee.

Once you have gathered together the information you must include with your application, call Customer Service on 1300 650 873.

2. On compassionate grounds

See the fact sheet Access to super on compassionate grounds.

An application for early release of your First State Super benefit on specified compassionate grounds must be approved by the Department of Human Services (DHS). Contact DHS directly if you have any enquiries:

Department of Human Services
Early Release of Superannuation Branch
PO Box 1001
Tuggeranong DC ACT 2901
Web: www.humanservices.gov.au
Email: ERSBenquiries@humanservices.gov.au
Telephone: 1300 131 060
Fax: 1800 228 455

Conditions of release for temporary residents

From 1 April 2009 superannuation regulations further restricted the payment of superannuation benefits to temporary residents. Temporary residents will not have access to superannuation benefits because of severe financial hardship or on compassionate grounds. For more information see the fact sheet Departing Australia?