Fees, Comparisons and 2026 Rules
Super thresholds for 2026–27: caps, transfer balance cap, Division 293 and Division 296
The 2026–27 super numbers a fund member needs in one place — contribution caps, carry-forward, transfer balance cap, Division 293 and the status of the Division 296 tax.
For the 2026–27 financial year (1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027), the main super thresholds are: super guarantee 12%; concessional contributions cap $32,500 (up from $30,000); non-concessional contributions cap $130,000 (up from $120,000), or up to $390,000 under the three-year bring-forward rule; general transfer balance cap $2.1 million; Division 293 extra tax on concessional contributions for people with income and contributions above $250,000; and the new Division 296 tax on earnings for total super balances above $3 million, which applies from 2026–27. Caps are indexed and several of these figures changed on 1 July 2026, so always check the ATO before contributing close to a limit.
This guide is part of the super fund fees overview and is written from a fund member's point of view: which numbers affect what you can put in, take out and hold. It is general information, not tax or financial advice.
The 2026–27 numbers at a glance
| Threshold | 2025–26 | 2026–27 | Why it matters to members |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super guarantee rate | 12% | 12% | Minimum employer contribution |
| Concessional contributions cap | $30,000 | $32,500 | Employer, salary sacrifice and deductible personal contributions combined |
| Non-concessional contributions cap | $120,000 | $130,000 | After-tax contributions you do not claim as a deduction |
| Bring-forward (3 years) maximum | $360,000 | $390,000 | Larger after-tax contribution in one year, subject to total super balance |
| Carry-forward eligibility | Total super balance under $500,000 | Total super balance under $500,000 | Use unused concessional cap from up to 5 earlier years |
| General transfer balance cap | $2 million | $2.1 million | Limit on moving super into retirement-phase pensions |
| Division 293 threshold | $250,000 | $250,000 | Extra 15% tax on concessional contributions |
| Division 296 threshold | — | $3 million total super balance | Additional tax on a share of earnings |
| Preservation age | 60 | 60 | Earliest general access on retirement |
Sources: ATO caps and thresholds pages for each year. The 2026–27 cap, bring-forward and transfer balance figures took effect on 1 July 2026.
Contribution caps: the member's view
The caps limit how much goes into super at concessional tax rates.
- Concessional contributions are taxed at 15% in the fund. They include your employer's super guarantee, salary sacrifice and personal contributions you claim as a deduction.
- Non-concessional contributions are not taxed on the way in because they come from after-tax money.
Worked example (illustrative): salary $120,000 in 2026–27. Super guarantee at 12% = $14,400. Room left under the concessional cap: $32,500 − $14,400 = $18,100, before any carry-forward. If this member already salary sacrifices $10,000, there is $8,100 of cap left.
Contributions count in the year your fund receives them. With payday super, a pay at the end of June may reach the fund in July. If you are planning a deductible contribution near 30 June, leave time for it to arrive and lodge your notice of intent with the fund before you roll over or withdraw any money.
Carry-forward: if your total super balance was below $500,000 at 30 June 2026, you can add unused concessional cap amounts from the previous five years (2021–22 to 2025–26) to your 2026–27 cap. myGov shows your available carry-forward amounts. Going over a cap leads to extra tax and paperwork; check the ATO's rules on excess contributions.
Bring-forward thresholds for 2026–27 depend on your total super balance at 30 June 2026: under $1.84 million, up to $390,000 over three years; $1.84 million to under $1.97 million, up to $260,000 over two years; $1.97 million to under $2.1 million, $130,000 with no bring-forward; $2.1 million or more, nil. If you triggered a bring-forward in an earlier year, the earlier cap usually continues to apply until that period ends.
Transfer balance cap
When you start a retirement-phase income stream, such as an account-based pension, the amount you transfer counts against your transfer balance cap. The general cap is $2.1 million from 1 July 2026. Your personal cap may be lower if you started a retirement income stream before that date, because only a proportion of indexation applies to people who have used part of their cap. myGov shows your personal cap. See account-based pension fees and the transfer balance cap.
Division 293: high-income earners
If your income for surcharge purposes plus your concessional contributions exceeds $250,000, the ATO issues a separate assessment for an extra 15% tax on the concessional contributions above that threshold (or on all of them if your income alone exceeds it). The fund does not deduct it automatically; you can pay it personally or elect to release money from super to pay it. If you receive a Division 293 assessment, read it carefully and pay or elect by the due date shown.
Division 296: tax on very large balances
The Division 296 tax was legislated in March 2026 by the Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) legislation and applies from the 2026–27 income year. In outline:
- it applies to individuals whose total super balance exceeds $3 million, with the first assessment based on balances at 30 June 2027;
- it is an additional 15% tax on the share of realised earnings attributable to the part of the balance above $3 million, assessed to the individual;
- a further 10% applies to the share of earnings attributable to the part above a $10 million threshold; both thresholds are indexed in later years. Check the exact wording of the legislation and the ATO's guidance before relying on the detail.
The government has said only a small share of members, well under 1%, would be affected. Regulations and ATO guidance on how earnings are calculated were still being finalised during 2026, so if your balance is near $3 million, get advice from a registered tax agent or licensed adviser.
Other numbers members often need
- Insurance in super: cover generally stops on accounts with no contributions for 16 months, and new members under 25 or with balances under $6,000 must opt in. See insurance inside super.
- Small balance fee cap: 3% a year on certain fees for balances under $6,000 at the end of the fund's year.
- Severe financial hardship release: up to $10,000 once in a 12-month period for eligible people under 60. See early release of super.
Thresholds set the limits; what you pay to hold your super within them is covered in administration fees and investment fees and indirect costs. How contributions reach your fund is explained in payday super and the super guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Do the higher caps let me top up a bring-forward I started last year?
Generally no. If you triggered a bring-forward period in 2024–25 or 2025–26, the cap you triggered with stays in place for the rest of that period. Check your position in myGov or with the ATO.
Will my fund stop me going over the concessional cap?
No. Funds accept contributions and the ATO assesses caps afterwards. Track your contributions yourself, especially if you have more than one employer.
Does Division 296 affect my fund's fees?
Not directly. It is assessed to individuals, though funds must report extra information to the ATO, and some funds may pass on administration costs. Check notices from your fund.
Where can I see my own caps?
Sign in to myGov, link the ATO, and look in the super section for contribution caps, carry-forward amounts and your transfer balance account.
Official sources
- ATO — key super rates and thresholds, contribution caps, transfer balance cap, Division 293, Division 296
- myGov — your own caps and carry-forward amounts
- Treasury — super policy and legislation explanatory material
- Federal Register of Legislation — Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, Divisions 291, 292, 293 and 296
