Australia

50% Return Guaranteed? Get Free Money From the ATO

Get a guaranteed 50% return on your money courtesy of the Australian government. If you earn under the limit, here is how to grab your free $500.

A 50% Return Guaranteed? How?

No, this isn't a sketchy crypto scheme. It's the official Australian government super contribution scheme, also known as the super co-contribution.

What is the super co-contribution eligibility?

To qualify for this free cash boost, you need to meet a few simple criteria:

Income limit: Earn less than the higher income threshold (currently $62,488 for the 2025–26 financial year, with the maximum benefit for those earning under $47,488).
Employment test: Have at least 10% of your total income come from employment or carrying on a business.
Age & residency: Be under 71 years old and not a temporary resident.

How does the government super contribution work?

The rules are simple: the government will put in 50 cents for every $1 you contribute as a personal after-tax contribution, up to a maximum of $500. So to claim the full free $500, you need to make voluntary super contributions (ATO approved) of $1,000 out of your own take-home pay during the financial year.

You won’t find a guaranteed 50% return anywhere else on the planet, especially one backed by the government!

If you're wondering how to get super co-contribution paid into your account, it's actually automatic. You make the contribution, lodge your tax return, and the ATO will deposit the money directly into your super fund. Contact your super fund for details on how to make the BPAY contribution.