Question 1

What are carry-forward super contributions?

Accepted Answer

Carry-forward contributions allow you to use unused concessional (before-tax) cap amounts from the previous 5 financial years. This means if you contributed less than the cap in prior years, you can catch up by contributing more now.

Question 2

Who is eligible for carry-forward contributions?

Accepted Answer

You must have a Total Super Balance (TSB) of less than $500,000 on 30 June of the previous financial year. The carry-forward rule has been available since 1 July 2018, so the first year of unused cap that can be carried forward is 2018–19.

Question 3

How long do unused caps carry forward?

Accepted Answer

Unused concessional cap amounts are available for 5 years before they expire. For example, unused cap from 2020–21 will expire at the end of 2025–26 if not used.

Question 4

Do I need to notify anyone to use carry-forward?

Accepted Answer

No, there's no application or notification required. When you lodge your tax return, the ATO automatically calculates your available carry-forward amount based on your contribution history and TSB.

Question 5

What if I don't know my exact past contributions?

Accepted Answer

You can log in to myGov and check your ATO super account for your contribution history. Our calculator also offers an estimate based on your salary and SG rate if you don't have exact figures.

Carry-Forward Contributions Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators