Short haired woman standing with arms crossed

Award winning technical support

Helping you cut through the complexity of Australia’s super and retirement system

Rated #1 for Technical Support 12 years in a row by Wealth Insights*

Key topic areas

Latest news

 

Following today's release of the latest average wages data for the December 2024 quarter, FirstTech have calculated the super rates and thresholds for 2025-26.

The ATO is expected to confirm the 2025-26 super rates and thresholds in March 2025.

 

 

Key points:

Concessional and non-concessional contributions caps remain at $30,000 and $120,000

Non-concessional cap (inc. bring forward rule) - TSB thresholds each increase by $100,000

General transfer balance cap increases from $1.9m to $2.0m

Super guarantee rate increases to 12% - maximum contribution base reduces to $62,500 per quarter

Access FirstTech's 'Super rates & thresholds for 2025-26' for super contributions, super benefits and employment termination payment thresholds.

 
 

 

 

The December quarter CPI figure of 139.4 released today confirms that the general transfer balance cap (currently $1.9 million) will increase to $2 million on 1 July 2025. 
This increase means that clients commencing their first retirement phase income stream in 2025–26 will start with a personal transfer balance cap of $2 million.  Clients who already have a personal transfer balance cap that they have not fully utilised at any time in the past will see their cap increase on 1 July 2025 by a smaller amount (than the general cap increase) due to proportional indexation. Further information about the general and personal transfer balance cap can be found in section 21 of the FirstTech Super and Retirement Income Streams Guide.

The increase in the general transfer balance cap also impacts other super rules and concessions in 2025–26 as follows:
 -  A member’s total super balance at 30 June 2025 must be less than $2 million to access the standard non-concessional contributions cap.  Note that the two lower total super balance thresholds that govern access to the non-concessional cap bring-forward rule in 2025–26 (currently $1.66 million and $1.78 million) are not yet known as they also depend on average weekly ordinary time earnings (AWOTE) data that will not be released until late February.
 -  A member’s total super balance at 30 June 2025 must be less than $2 million to access the Government co-contribution.
 -  For a client to receive a spouse contribution tax offset, the receiving spouse’s total super balance at 30 June 2025 must be less than $2 million.
 -  The defined benefit income cap (currently $118,750) will increase to $125,000.
Further information
FirstTech will provide in an in-depth analysis in the coming weeks once the AWOTE data becomes available in late February.

 

The Government has released the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) for 2024–25.

 

The mid-year update restated a number of previously announced measures, including:

 

  • 5 year window to commute legacy pensions
  • Introduction of payday super from 1 July 2026
  • Reforms to the retirement phase of super 

Latest articles

Tax considerations of offset accounts and redraw facilities

This article explores the most frequently asked questions regarding the tax implications of using an offset account compared to a redraw facility.

Taxing times - getting the most out of disability super benefits

The taxation of disability-related super payments is complicated.  It’s important to understand the tax implications as well as the strategies available to reduce tax and ease financial stress. 

 

Who's liable to pay tax on income of a deceased estate

It’s a common misconception that as long as the deceased estate is kept open, the income derived by a deceased estate is always assessable to the estate for tax purposes.

Latest webinars and podcasts

FirstTech webinars

FirstTech webinars

Get access to FirstTech webinars and learn the latest super updates.

FirstTech podcasts

FirstTech podcasts

Earn CPD points by staying up-to-date, listening to our podcasts and taking the quiz.

Our experts are always here to help 

"It is truly refreshing to receive such a high-quality response demonstrating professional and technical competency. I hold FirstTech in high regard."

 

Norman Howe

Stratxa Advisory

 "FirstTech is an asset to CFS and a valuable resource to advisers" 

 

Jesmond Azzopardi

Tribel Advisory

 

Know you’re partnering with the best

Wealth Insights 2024

FirstChoice Ranked #1 in Technical Support

Unleash in ways you never thought possible

Get in touch

For technical enquiries contact us
8:30am – 6pm AEST Monday to Friday.

Find a Business Development Manager

Need more information or support? 

 

Adviser login

Sign into our platforms.

 

 *Wealth Insights Platform Service Level Reports - CFS First Tech team was rated #1 by Wealth Insights for Technical Support every year since 2013.

 

Adviser use only. Information on this webpage is provided by Avanteos Investments Limited ABN 20 096 259 979, AFSL 245531 and Colonial First State Investments Limited ABN 98 002 348 352, AFSL 232468. It may include general advice but does not consider anyone’s individual objectives, financial situation, needs or tax circumstances.  You should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statements (PDSs), Investor Directed Portfolio Service Guides (IDPS Guides) and Financial Services Guides (FSGs) before making any recommendations to a client. The PDSs, IDPS Guides and FSGs can be obtained from www.cfs.com.au or by calling us on 13 18 36. Past performance or awards are no indication of future performance.