Early release of super

Everyone in Australia has a superannuation fund. Although the Government generally restricts your access to this money until you retire, there are limited circumstances when you can access your superannuation early. These circumstances are mainly related to specific medical conditions or severe financial hardship and include situations where you are unable to work because of injury or illness.

You may be eligible to an early release of super if:

You have been on Centrelink payments for at least six months and are unable to pay your living expenses
You are over the minimum retirement age (55-60), have been on Centrelink payments for nine months, and won’t be returning to full-time work
You are over the minimum retirement age (55-60) and still working
You are permanently incapacitated from work
You have a terminal illness
You are a temporary resident about to leave Australia, and not planning to live here again
You need money for palliative care, medical and transport expenses for a life-threatening injury or illness, or modifications to your home or car as a result of a severe disability
You need to make loan repayments when a lender has threatened to sell your home

Need superannuation legal support?

We're here to make the legal process as simple and stress-free as possible.

How do I make a claim?

The way you apply for early release of your super will depend on the category of claim you are making. If you are applying on compassionate grounds, then applications are made to the Department of Human Services. For any other reason, applications are made directly to your super fund. Gaining access to these benefits, however, can be a lengthy and complicated process.

Our team of expert superannuation lawyers are here to guide you through the claims process. They will be with you every step of the way to ensure you receive the full range of benefits you are entitled to and are able to get your life back on track as soon as possible.

There are time limits for making a super claim, so get in touch with a member of the Shine team today.

How Shine can help

We have helped thousands of Australians right wrong and access more than $1 billion per year in entitlements and compensation through our expert services.

95% of the cases we represent are settled without the stress of going to court.

With our 1000+ workforce and business maturity, we have the scale, expertise and agility to take on the tough cases and win.

We are ready to take action to unlock access to what is rightfully yours and right wrong.

Super & Disability Insurance

FAQs

Can I represent myself, or do I need a superannuation lawyer?

It is possible to legally represent yourself when making a claim however, doing so successfully will likely require a thorough understanding of the law, your legal rights and entitlements, and a commitment to actively pursue the case to move it forward.

Without an experienced superannuation and disability insurance lawyer in your corner, it can be difficult to identify and highlight the strength of your case.

Without the right legal advice and support, you then may not receive the compensation you're entitled to.

Is there a superannuation lawyer near me?

With more than 40 branches across Australia and 1000+ team members, location is no barrier when it comes to accessing Shine Lawyers legal advice and support.

If you’d like to speak to our Superannuation and Disability Insurance team in person, you can see our full list of locations here.

If you aren‘t able to find a location near you, we can easily arrange an obligation-free virtual appointment or discuss the option to meet at a location that’s comfortable and convenient for you. No matter where you are located, we will always provide the same, expert advice and manage your claim with the same level of quality and commitment.

Why trust Shine to be my superannuation insurance lawyers?

At Shine Lawyers, we put your first. We’ve been standing up for the rights of everyday Australians for over 45 years. As one of Australia’s largest litigation law firms, we are here to help you get the justice you deserve. Our empathy, understanding and expertise is why we’re ahead of the pack. We’ll stand with you and guide you through every step of the way.