Financial hardship

Your superannuation benefits may generally be paid after you reach a certain age. For more information, see the fact sheet (PDF 374kb).

However, you may be able to receive part of your superannuation benefit earlier if you meet the criteria for early release on specified 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 (PDF 306kb). 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

An application for early release of your First State Super benefit on specified compassionate ground must be approved by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). Contact APRA directly for any queries:

Australia Prudential Regulation Authority
GPO Box 9836
Canberra ACT 2601
Web: www.apra.gov.au
Phone: 1300 131 060

For other circumstances where a benefit could be released see the fact sheet  When can I receive my superannuation benefits (PDF 374kb).

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.