Accessing your super
Your super is designed to help you save for retirement, so there are rules about when you can access the money.
Your age is a key factor
To get your super, you need to have reached what's known as your Commonwealth preservation age, which is the age which you can access your super in Australia.
Until this age, you can’t access your super except in very specific circumstances.
Ways to access your super:
When can you access your super?
Your preservation age is the minimum age you can access your super money.
Use our calculator below to work out when you’ll reach preservation age.
Preservation age calculator
Calculate when you can access your super for retirement.
Results
It’s important to note that, in addition to reaching your preservation age, other criteria will also apply before you can withdraw your super.
Accessing your super after you reach preservation age
You retire
You can generally access your super when you retire and have reached preservation age.
You start a TTR strategy
Once you reach preservation age, you can open a Transition to Retirement (TTR) account and access your super while you're still working.
You turn 65
Once you’ve turned 65, you can access your super at any time, even if you’re still working.
Other conditions of release may apply
For full details, read our Accessing your super brochure.
Gold State Super members: different access rules apply
If you’re a Gold State Super member, you can access your super once you turn 551 and you retire from the WA public sector.
Read our Gold State Super essentials brochure.
Accessing your super before you reach preservation age
There are certain circumstances when you might be able to withdraw your super before you reach preservation age. These are listed below.
Total and permanent disablement
If something happens that impacts your ability to work in the future, you can apply to access your super due to total and permanent disability.
Financial hardship or compassionate grounds
You can apply to have your super released in limited circumstances if you’re experiencing severe financial hardship or on compassionate grounds.
Balance of $200 or less
You can get your super if your account holds less than $200 and you no longer work for the employer who contributed to the fund for you.
Access to super when you pass away
When you pass away, GESB will pay your super to your estate, unless you have a valid binding death nomination in place nominating who you want to receive your death benefit.
Learn more about claiming a death benefit.
Government initiatives to access super
The Australian Government has introduced other initiatives that may give you access to your super in specific circumstances.
First Home Super Saver Scheme
If you’re saving for your first home, you may be eligible to withdraw voluntary contributions made to your GESB Super account to use towards the purchase or construction2. Contributions to West State Super and Gold State Super are not eligible.
Departing Australia super payment
If you are a temporary resident permanently leaving Australia, you may be eligible to access your super benefits. The departing Australia super payment is only available to visitors who entered Australia on an eligible temporary work visa.
Know how your super is taxed
Before you access your super, it’s important to understand the way your super is taxed. This depends on your age, how your benefit is paid, and whether you have a taxed (GESB Super) or untaxed (West State Super and Gold State Super) account.
For details, see how is super taxed or the Tax and super brochure.
More information
- Read Accessing your super page
- Download the Accessing your super brochure
- Go to Accessing your super early page
Need help
- Call us on 13 43 72
- Use Live chat
1 If you access your benefit before you reach your Commonwealth preservation age you may be liable to pay a higher rate of tax. The Commonwealth preservation age is higher than the age at which you can access your Gold State Super benefit. Please contact your Member Services Centre and review our Tax and super brochure for more information.
2 If you lost ownership of your first home due to financial hardship you may be able to apply to the ATO to use the FHSS scheme to help you purchase or construct a home which is not your first home. See the ATO website for details.
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 27 April 2024.