Superannuation rules are always evolving, and 2026 is shaping up to be another year of important changes. Some of these updates may only affect a small group of people, while others could impact almost everyone with super. Whether retirement feels a lifetime away or it’s already on the horizon, understanding what’s changing can help you...

Most people think of superannuation as money they can’t touch until retirement, but there are important exceptions. One significant exception is the permanent incapacity condition of release, which can allow people who are totally and permanently disabled to access their super earlier. Understanding how this works can make a real difference at a time when...

Most of us keep a close eye on our bank accounts. But superannuation can be easier to lose track of, especially if you’ve changed jobs, moved house, changed your name, or simply set up a new fund and assumed everything followed you. That’s why the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued a timely reminder. There...

If your SMSF owns a beach house, country cottage or apartment that feels like the perfect Christmas getaway, this is your friendly end-of-year reminder: you and your family can’t use it over the Christmas and New Year period, not even “just for a week,” and not even if it’s sitting vacant. It’s one of the...

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued a warning after spotting a rise in people trying to access their superannuation early, and not always for the right reasons. While there are legitimate ways to access super on compassionate grounds, the ATO says some people are stretching the rules or even faking information to get their...

Big news for anyone with a large super balance – the government has gone back to the drawing board on the controversial Division 296 tax, and the changes are a big step toward fairness and common sense. A quick recap When the Division 296 tax was first announced in 2023, it caused an uproar. The...

Let’s say you’ve just sold the house you inherited from your parents 12 years ago for $1.3 million. You’ve been renting it out for most of that time, but the property market has been hotting up and you were told by several real estate agents that they could get you a good price. But what...

If you want to give your children a head start on saving for their first home, the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) is worth considering. It offers a tax-effective way for young people to grow a deposit more quickly and is open to anyone who meets the eligibility rules and has never owned property....

With more than $4 trillion in superannuation, it’s no surprise scammers see it as a goldmine. ASIC has warned Australians to be on high alert after a rise in pushy sales tactics and false promises designed to lure people into risky super switches. Since your super is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make,...

If you’re aged between 67–75 and want to claim a tax deduction for a personal super contribution, you must meet the work test (or a one-off work test exemption). The work test requires that, at some time in the financial year, you were gainfully employed for at least 40 hours in any 30 consecutive days...