Accessing your super early
There are limited circumstances where you may be allowed to access your super before you retire. These include access on compassionate grounds and due to severe financial hardship.
Compassionate grounds
If you meet eligibility criteria, you may be able to access your super to help you or your dependant(s), such as spouse or children, pay for health-related expenses, such as medical treatment, renovations to accommodate a disability, palliative care and funeral costs.
Severe financial hardship
If you meet eligibility criteria, you may be able to access your super early to help pay for immediate and reasonable family living expenses, including mortgage and loan repayments, household bills, education and medical costs.
Other circumstances
You may also be able to access your super early if you:
- Are permanently departing Australia
- Have a super balance of less than $200
- Become totally and permanently disabled
- Are diagnosed with a terminal illness
- Are saving for your first home and apply for the First Home Super Saver Scheme
Thank you for printing this page. Remember to come back to gesb.wa.gov.au for the latest information as our content is updated regularly. This information is correct as at 23 June 2026.