Early Release of Superannuation on Specified Compassionate Grounds application information

What do you do first?

You will need to contact your superannuation fund and ask them if they allow early release of superannuation under any circumstances.

If they say ‘yes’, then you may apply through DHS, providing that you have met the requirements and have documentation to support your claim.

If they say ‘no’, then the Australian government cannot make the superannuation fund pay out some or all of your benefits.

Are you a temporary resident?

Temporary residents who satisfied the grounds prior to 1 April 2009, or are holders of Subclasses 405 (Investment Retirement) or 410 (Retirement) visas are able to apply for an early release of superannuation on specified compassionate grounds. If you do not fit the criteria above, then you are unable to apply for an early release of superannuation on specified compassionate grounds.

What compassionate grounds can I make a claim against?

You can make a claim against one or more of the specified compassionate grounds if you need to:

• pay for medical or dental treatment, for yourself or a dependant Medical treatment and/or transport
• pay for transport to medical or dental treatment, for yourself or a dependant Medical treatment and/or transport
• prevent your home from being sold by the lender that has the mortgage for it Mortgage assistance
• modify your home or vehicle to accommodate your own needs, or the needs of a dependant, in the case of a severe disability Modification to your home and/or motor vehicle
• pay for palliative care for a person with a terminal medical condition, for yourself or a dependant Care for terminal medical condition
• pay for expenses associated with a dependant’s death, funeral or burial Funeral assistance

Proof of identification

As part of your application you are required to prove your identity. You can establish your identity by providing certified copies of identity documentation from the approved Proof of Identification list totalling at least 100 points.

Please do not send in originals of your identity documentation

Examples of identity documentation:

Australian Birth certificate = 70 points

Australian Passport = 70 points

Australian Driver Licence – motor vehicle = 40 points

Any 2 of the above will meet the requirements.

Examples of certifiers:

Justice of the Peace (JP)

Australia Post Manager

Police

If you have any difficulty in obtaining or providing these documents, contact the Early Release of Superannuation Benefits contact centre on 1300 131 060 or on the international phone number +61 3 6222 2819.