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Government Co-contribution

Section: 2.9

2.9 Government Co-contribution

To receive the Government co-contribution to superannuation, a member's total income* must be less than the higher income threshold for the current financial year. The maximum co-contribution entitlement is $500.

Co-contribution income thresholds
Year Maximum entitlement Lower income threshold Higher income threshold
2023-24 $500 $43,445 $58,445
2022-23 $500 $42,016 $57,016

Members with total income* less than the higher-income threshold in the relevant financial year, who make a personal non-concessional contribution to superannuation, may be eligible for a government co-contribution.

Calculation

Amount of co-contribution payable - 2023/24    
Total income* $0 to $43,445    
Lesser of: eligible contributions x 50%, and $500
Total income* $43,445 to $58,445    
Lesser of: eligible contributions x 50%, and $500 reduced by $0.03333 for each dollar over the lower income threshold

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible to receive a government co-contribution, members must satisfy the following requirements for the relevant financial year:

  • be less than 71 years old at the end of the financial year
  • be eligible to contribute to superannuation and make a personal non-concessional (after-tax) contribution to a complying superannuation fund by 30 June
  • satisfy the two income tests (income threshold and 10% eligible income tests)
  • lodge a tax return for the relevant financial year
  • not hold a temporary visa at any time during the financial year (unless they are a New Zealand citizen, or it was a prescribed visa)
  • total superannuation balance is less than the transfer balance cap ($1.9 million from the 2023/24 financial year) at the end of 30 June of the previous financial year.
  • not contributed more than their non-concessional contributions cap

10% eligible income test

To satisfy this test, 10% or more of a member's total income must come from:

  • employment-related activities
  • carrying on a business
  • a combination of both

These amounts are referred to as 'eligible income' amounts.

To determine eligibility for the co-contribution under the 10% rule for a sole trader, total income is not reduced by business deductions.

Income that is related to employment or business is eligible income - for example:

  • salary and wages
  • business income earned as a sole trader or in a partnership
  • director fees.

The following types of income are not eligible income for super co-contribution purposes:

  • non-business partnership distributions
  • distributions from a trust
  • income from individually or jointly held assets, such as interest, rent and dividends
  • income related to another year of employment, such as employment termination payment and lump sum payments.

Contributions not eligible for a co-contribution

  • child contributions
  • spouse contributions
  • transfer from an overseas fund

*Total income

For the member to receive the co-contribution, their total income must be less than the higher income threshold for that financial year.

Total income is the sum of:

  • assessable income
  • reportable fringe benefits
  • reportable super contributions reduced (but not below zero) by any excess concessional contributions, less
  • members assessable first home super saver released amount, and allowable business deductions

Assessable income - is the income that is included in the member's tax return. Assessable income is not reduced by tax deductions (taxable income is after-tax deductions).

Reportable fringe benefits - Certain fringe benefits (non-cash benefits) paid by an employer are required to be reported in the employee's tax return. These are known as reportable fringe benefits.

Reportable employer superannuation contributions - reportable employer superannuation contributions are contributions made to a superannuation fund by an employer for an individual. An example is a contribution made on your behalf under a salary sacrifice arrangement.

This technical resource is intended for the use of financial advisers only. It is current as at the date of publication but may be subject to change. This publication has been prepared without taking into account a potential investor's objectives, financial situation, needs or objectives. Before making a recommendation based on this material, you should consider its appropriateness based on the client's objectives, financial situation and needs. Rainmaker Group is not a registered tax agent under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009. Your client should refer to a registered tax agent before relying on information published herein that may impact their tax obligations, liabilities or entitlements.

Last modified: Wednesday, June 21, 2023