EOFY Super Guide: Boost Your Super Before 30 June
There’s a quiet window each year, from March through to the 30th June, where a few well-timed decisions around your superannuation can make a meaningful difference to your long-term wealth.
These aren’t major, life-changing moves. They’re small, deliberate actions – topping up a contribution, redirecting a bonus, or making a contribution for your spouse.
On their own, they may not feel significant. But over time, these decisions compound – often resulting in tends of thousands of dollars more in retirement savings.
With several rule changes on the horizon, the lead-up to 30 June 2026 is a particularly important time to get this right.
Why EOFY 2026 is Worth Paying Attention to
This financial year presents a unique planning opportunity, with a number of changes expected or confirmed from 1 July:
- The transfer balance cap will increase from $2.0M to $2.1M
- Contribution caps are expected to rise
- New payday super rules will change how employer contributions are paid
While these changes may create new opportunities next year, many of the most effective strategies reply on taking action before 30 June.
Start With What You’ve Already Used
Before making any additional contributions, it’s important to understand where you currently stand.
For the 2025-26 financial year:
- Concessional contributions cap: $30,000
- Non-concessional contributions cap: $120,000
- Total super balance threshold: $2 million
These caps determine how much you can contribute without additional tax applying.
A quick check via myGov (ATO) will show:
- Your year-to-date contributions
- Your total super balance
- Any unused contribution caps from previous years
This forms the foundation for any EOFY strategy.
Strategy 1: Boost Super and Reduce Tax
One of the simplest and most effective EOFY strategies is increasing your concessional (pre-tax) contributions.
Salary Sacrifice
This involves redirecting part of your pre-tax income into super.
For example:
- If you earn $120,000 and your employer contributes $14,400
- You may still have around $15,600 of unused cap
Contributing an additional $10,000 could:
- Reduce your taxable income
- Result in meaningful tax savings
- Grow your super in a concessionally taxed environment
Personal Deductible Contributions
If salary sacrifice isn’t practical, you can make a lump sum contribution from your bank account and claim a tax deduction.
This is particularly useful closer to 30 June when timing is tighter.
Just remember:
- You must submit a Notice of Intent to Claim a Deduction to your super fund
- The fund must acknowledge it before your tax return is lodged.
A Note on Higher Income Earners
If your income exceeds $250,000, additional tax (Division 293)may apply.
Super is still tax-effective – but it’s important to plan contributions carefully.
Strategy 2: Use Carry-Forward Contributions
If your total super balance was below $500,000 you may be able to use unused concessional caps from the past five years.
This can significantly increase how much you can contribute this year.
For some people, this means:
- Contributing well above the standard $30,000 cap
- Catching up on missed contributions
- Reducing tax in a high-income year
Even a partial catch-up can make a meaningful difference.
Strategy 3: Consider After-Tax Contributions
If you’ve already maximised your concessional contributions, you may consider non-concessional (after-tax) contributions.
For 2025-26:
- Standard cap: $120,000
- Bring-forward rule: up to $360,000
Timing Matters
From 1 July 2026, these caps are expected to increase.
This creates an important decision:
- Contribute before 30 June -> start compounding earlier
- Wait until July -> potentially contribute more
The right approach depends on your individual circumstances.
Strategy 4: Spouse Contributions
If your partner earns a lower income, contributing to their super can be a simple but effective strategy.
Benefits include:
- A potential tax offset of up to $540
- Building a more balanced super position as a couple
- Greater flexibility in retirement
Strategy 5: Contribution Splitting
You can transfer up to 85% of your concessional contributions to your spouse’s super.
This doesn’t provide a tax deduction, but it can:
- Help equalise super balances
- Improve Centrelink outcomes
- Support long-term tax planning
Strategy 6: Government Co-Contribution
For lower-income earners, this is one of the most valuable opportunities available.
If eligible:
- The government contributes 50 cents for every $1 you contribute
- Up to a maximum of $500
This is effectively a guaranteed return, making it highly attractive.
What’s Changing From 1 July 2026?
Several key thresholds are expected to increase:
- Transfer Balance Cap -> $2.1M
- Concessional cap -> expected increase
- Non-concessional cap -> expected increase
These changes don’t remove current opportunities – but they do influence when and how to act.
For Those With Larger Super Balances
If your super balance is approaching or exceeds $3 million, proposed tax changes (Division 296) may apply.
In these cases, strategies such as:
- Spouse contributions
- Contribution splitting
- Rebalancing between partners
Become increasingly important.
Key Questions to Consider Before 30 June
Before the end of the financial year, it’s worth asking:
- How much contribution cap do I have remaining?
- Can I use carry-forward contributions?
- Would an additional contribution reduce my tax?
- Should I act now or wait until July?
- As a couple, are we structured efficiently?
Final Thoughts
EOFY super planning isn’t about making big, complex changes.
It’s about:
- Being aware of the rules
- Making timely decisions
- Taking advantage of opportunities that already exist
Small actions, taken consistently, can lead to significant long-term outcomes.
Need Help Before 30 June?
At Leading Advice, we work with clients to:
- Identify contribution opportunities
- Reduce tax through structured strategies
- Align super with long-term goals
- Navigate changing rules and thresholds
If you haven’t reviewed your super recently, this is one of the most valuable times of year to do so.