Personal Contributions to Your Super

What is a personal contribution?

A personal contribution is when you pay money from your bank account that’s already been taxed straight into your super account. If you have a little extra from your pay, additional savings or an inheritance, you can make a personal contribution to help grow your balance.

Personal contributions at a glance

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Personal contributions are also called after-tax contributions.

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You can choose whether or not to claim a tax deduction.

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You choose how much to contribute, up to the contributions caps.

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You can contribute by electronic funds transfer, BPAY®, direct debit or cheque.

Personal contributions explained

Learn about personal contributions, contribution caps and possible tax deductions.

Watch the video to find out more.

Benefits of personal contributions

Boost your super

Even small, regular amounts can add up over time to help grow your super for retirement. There are limits around how much you can add, called contributions caps.

Learn more about contributions caps.

Potential tax benefits

Super can be a tax effective way to invest some of your money. Investment earnings in super are taxed at a maximum of 15%. Investments outside of super are taxed at your marginal tax rate. This can be up to 45%, plus the Medicare levy.

Tax deductions

You may be able to claim a tax deduction for some or all of your personal contributions. This could reduce the tax you pay for the year.

Learn more in the How to claim a tax deduction on personal super contributions fact sheet (PDF).

Contributions calculator

You might be surprised what your super balance could be if you start to add a little extra today.

Try the contributions calculator

Things to consider before you contribute

Contributions caps

There are limits on how much you can add to your super through personal contributions. The limits apply for the financial year and may also depend on your total super balance.

If you don’t claim a tax deduction, this is a non‑concessional contribution
If you do claim a deduction, this is a concessional contribution.

Going over contributions caps may mean you pay extra tax or get an ATO notice.

Limits for the 2025/26 financial year:

Personal contributions for which you don't claim a tax deduction:

Under 75: Up to $120,000 per year. If you contribute more than this, you may be able to contribute up to $360,000 total over 3 years (including this financial year)
75 and over: You generally can’t make extra contributions, other than downsizer contributions, which don’t count towards the caps.

Personal contributions for which you do claim a tax deduciton:

Up to $30,000 per year, plus unused caps from the past five years (if eligible)
67–74: You need to meet the work test or work test exemption to claim a tax deduction
75 and over: You generally can’t make extra contributions, other than downsizer contributions.

Tax file number (TFN)

We need your TFN so we can accept personal contributions. You can add it in your online account or call us on 1300 361 784.

How to make a personal contribution

There are four ways you can make a personal contribution:

Electronic funds transfer

Make sure we have your TFN
Login to your online account, go to Super, then Add to your super
Under How to contribute, choose Personal contributions to find the CBUS account details
Complete the transfer through you bank.

BPAY®

Make sure we have your TFN
Login to your online account, go to Super, then Add to your super
Under How to contribute, choose Personal contributions to find your unique BPAY® Biller code and Biller reference
Complete the BPAY® transfer through your bank.

Direct debit

Make sure we have your TFN
Download and complete the Member direct debit request (PDF) form
Send the form to us in one of two ways:
1. Upload the form, or
2. Post it to: CBUS, Locked Bag 5056, PARRAMATTA NSW 2124

Cheque

Make sure we have your TFN
Download and complete the Contribution slip (PDF)
Make your cheque payable to CBUS Super Fund. Include your full name and member number with the cheque
Send your cheque and completed Contribution slip to: CBUS, Locked Bag 5056, Parramatta NSW 2124

Other contributions and offsets

You may be eligible for the Government co-contribution and/or the Low income super tax offset.

The Government co-contribution

Do you make personal contributions and earn under $62,488 a year? You may be eligible for a Government co‑contribution of up to $500, paid into your super.

Learn about the Government co-contribution.

Low income super tax offset (LISTO)

Do you earn up to $37,000 and make personal contributions? You may be eligible for a Low Income Super Tax Offset (LISTO) payment of up to $500, paid into your super.

Learn about the LISTO from the Australian Tax Office.