Five easy ways to boost your super before 30 June 2026

With less than a month until 30 June, the window available to top up your super and secure valuable tax benefits is closing quickly.

Whether you want to reduce your tax, grow your super balance or take advantage of special contribution rules, acting now ensures your contributions will count in this financial year.

Please be aware that if you wish to make any additional contributions into your legalsuper account this financial year they must be received by Tuesday 23 June so they can be processed by 30 June.

Also, keep in mind that the before-tax (concessional) contributions cap for the 2025-26 financial year is $30,000. Exceeding this amount may result in the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requiring you to pay additional tax. 

Below are five ways you may be able to get some extra money into your legalsuper account.

Before-tax (concessional) contributions

Before-tax (concessional) contributions are taxed at 15% and represent the most tax‑effective way to grow your super. They include your employer’s 12% mandatory Superannuation Guarantee (SG) payments, your own salary sacrifice payments, and any other personal (tax deductable) contributions you choose to make. 

Salary sacrifice is easy to set up. Just ask your employer to redirect part of your pre‑tax salary (either a percentage or a fixed dollar amount) into your legalsuper account, where it will be taxed at 15% instead of at your normal marginal tax rate.

Another way to get extra money into your super is by making a personal contribution using after‑tax money. You may then be able to claim a tax deduction, subject to eligibility, by completing and lodging a “Notice of Intent” form online with us or by sending us the ATO’s paper form. Once you’ve received an acknowledgment from us you’ll be able to declare your claimed amount in your next tax return. This strategy can be useful if you’ve received a bonus or a taxable lump sum this year.

Carry‑forward (catch‑up) concessional contributions 

If your total super balance was under $500,000 on 30 June last year, you may be able to use any unused concessional cap amounts you have left over from the previous five financial years. As an example, if you are eligible and have accumulated $25,000 in unused contributions over several financial years, you can add them to this financial year’s $30,000 of allowed concessional contributions and contribute a total of $55,000.

Using carry-forward contributions can be a tax-effective way to significantly increase your super account balance.

You can check your unused amounts through your myGov account under the ATO’s Super section. Catch‑up contributions can be ideal if you’re returning to work, receiving a large taxable payment or just wanting to accelerate your retirement savings.

After-tax (non‑concessional) contributions

After-tax (non‑concessional) contributions come from after‑tax income and aren’t taxed when entering your fund. The current annual non‑concessional contributions limit is $120,000 (for the 2025/26 financial year), but you may be able to use the three‑year “bring‑forward rule” to contribute up to $360,000 in a single financial year if you’re eligible. 

Non‑concessional contributions can be useful for topping up your super balance if you have extra money from selling assets, such as your home, from receiving an inheritance, or if you’re wanting to move personal savings into a more tax‑effective environment. Your ability to contribute depends on your total superannuation balance, so check your eligibility before transferring any funds. 

Downsizer contributions

If you’re 55 or older, meet the eligibility requirements and have recently sold your home, you may be able to make a downsizer contribution of up to $300,000, regardless of your super balance. A couple can contribute up to $600,000 together. To qualify, you must have owned and lived in your home for at least 10 years, and your downsizer contribution must be made within 90 days of settlement. Downsizer contributions can be a powerful way to boost your super because they don’t count towards annual concessional or non‑concessional limits.

Spouse super contributions

Spouse super contributions allow you to transfer up to 85% of your own annual concessional contributions to your spouse’s account. This can help equalise balances, support a partner taking time out of the workforce or manage future transfer balance cap limits. You’ll need to make your spouse contributions request with us before 23 June.

What you need to know

Your super contributions are counted in the financial year in which they are received and processed by legalsuper.

The deadline for processing transactions and submitting any required forms for the 2025-26 financial year is Tuesday 23 June.

Click here to log into your legalsuper account.