How to read this scenario
Checked 30 September 2026. SG is 12% from July 2025. Enter wages excluding employer super: a package containing only wages and 12% super is converted by dividing by 1.12. Actual SG eligibility and qualifying earnings can differ from total wages. Since July 2026, Payday Super generally aligns employer contributions with payday, with receipt within seven business days subject to extensions.
Reproduce the calculation
- For each whole model year, multiply salary by the employer rate and add entered salary sacrifice. Deduct the shared 15% contributions-tax assumption.
- Add this net contribution and the after-tax contribution to the opening balance.
- Apply the chosen investment return (assumed after investment tax) and percentage fee to that balance, then deduct the annual insurance/fixed-fee amount. The balance cannot fall below zero in the model.
- Increase salary by your chosen growth assumption for the next year; extra contributions and dollar fees remain unchanged.
- Discount the final balance by (1 + inflation rate) raised to the number of years to show today’s purchasing power.
One-year check: opening balance $10,000, salary $80,000, employer rate 12%, no voluntary contributions or insurance, return 5%, fee 1%, inflation 2.5%. Net contribution = $9,600 × 85% = $8,160. Final nominal balance = $18,160 × 1.04 = $18,886.40; today’s dollars = $18,886.40 ÷ 1.025 = $18,425.76. Real payday contributions are spread through the year, so this start-of-year convention may overstate growth.
Limits that can change the result
The general 2026–27 concessional cap is $32,500 and non-concessional cap is $130,000. Caps are fixed in this scenario rather than forecast to rise. A projected annual cap breach or modelled income plus employer super above $250,000 stops the estimate. Actual Division 293 income is broader; if other income or benefits take you over its threshold, this tool is unsuitable even if it displays a result. Confirm voluntary-contribution eligibility, total-balance limits and age rules before modelling them.
This model omits co-contributions, low-income super offsets, future legislative changes, work breaks, variable returns, DASP and retirement withdrawals. It is not a safe-withdrawal model and does not estimate pension eligibility. Zero insurance/fixed fees is an assumption, not a claim that your fund charges none.
Fund choice and access
Compare products with similar investment risk, disclosed fees, insurance and long-term performance. Past returns are not a promise. If no choice is made, an employer generally checks your existing stapled fund with the ATO before using an eligible default fund. Consolidating can remove insurance or other benefits; check before transferring.
Preservation and conditions of release still apply. Age 60 is not automatic unrestricted access, and post-60 payments are not universally tax-free. Eligible former temporary residents may qualify for DASP, with component tax of 0%, 35%, 45% or the WHM 65% rate. See our DASP decision guide; this calculator does not estimate a departure payout.
Common questions
Can I access all super simply by turning 60?
No. A condition of release is generally required at 60, such as retirement or ending an employment arrangement after 60. At 65 access is generally available regardless of work.
Are all withdrawals after 60 tax-free?
No. Payments from a taxed fund are often tax-free after 60, but untaxed elements and some defined-benefit arrangements have different rules.
Why is a projection withheld?
The model does not calculate excess-contribution tax, carry-forward/bring-forward capacity or Division 293 tax. It withholds those scenarios rather than presenting unsupported tax-adjusted balances.
Is salary sacrifice always better?
No. Compare personal tax, contribution rules, access restrictions, cash needs and possible departure tax. The calculator does not make that decision.
Sources and scope
Checked 30 September 2026. This is general information, not an individual tax, financial, employment or migration assessment. Follow the linked official instructions for your circumstances.