Superannuation, commonly called super, is Australia's compulsory retirement savings system. Employers are required to contribute a percentage of their employees' wages into a superannuation fund on top of the wages themselves. These contributions grow over time in a fund that is designed to provide retirement income.
For working holiday makers, super works slightly differently because you are unlikely to retire in Australia. The good news is that you can claim your accumulated superannuation back after you permanently leave Australia using a process called DASP.
How much super your employer contributes
As of 1 July 2024, employers are required to contribute 11.5% of your ordinary time earnings into a superannuation fund. This rises to 12% from 1 July 2025. This contribution is paid on top of your wages. It is not deducted from your pay. If you earn $1,000 in a week, your employer also pays $115 (or $120 from July 2025) into your super fund on top of that.
Which super fund your contributions go into
When you start a new job, your employer will ask you which super fund you want to use. If you do not nominate one, your employer will use their default fund or your stapled fund if you already have one from a previous job in Australia. It does not matter much which fund your money goes into as a working holiday maker, since you will be withdrawing it when you leave. What matters is that you can find and access the account when you are ready to claim.
Are all working holiday makers eligible
Yes, as long as you were employed by an Australian employer who was required to pay super on your behalf. Employers must pay super for employees who are 18 or older and earn at least $450 in a calendar month. That threshold was removed in 2022, so now super must be paid from the first dollar of earnings regardless of the amount. If you worked as a contractor under an ABN, super obligations depend on the specifics of your arrangement.
How to claim your super back
The process for claiming superannuation after leaving Australia is called DASP, which stands for Departing Australia Superannuation Payment. See our detailed guide on how the DASP process works for a step-by-step explanation.
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We help working holiday makers apply for their superannuation through the DASP process. Get in touch and we will take care of the whole application.
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