Your super is probably the biggest pile of money you will ever build, and most of it grows quietly in the background while you work. The good news is that a few simple moves can make a real difference to the final balance — and none of them need a finance degree or a big income.
Here are the best ways to grow your super, from the easy wins you can sort out this week to the bigger strategies worth planning ahead for. Figures below are for the 2026–27 financial year, current as at November 2026.
Quick answer: what actually moves the needle?
If you only do three things, do these: make sure you are not paying fees on two or more accounts, put a little extra in regularly if you can afford it, and check that your investment option suits your age and stage of life. Everything else on this list builds on those three.
1. Find and combine lost super
Best for: anyone who has changed jobs a few times.
Every time you start a new job, a new super account can be opened for you. That means you could be paying two or more sets of fees and insurance premiums without realising it. The ATO’s lost super search, done through myGov, shows accounts held in your name and any super the ATO is holding for you. Rolling them into one account means one set of fees and one balance that is easier to keep track of. Before you combine, check what insurance you would lose by closing an old account — that cover can be hard to get back.
2. Salary sacrifice a little extra each pay
Best for: employees who want a regular, set-and-forget boost.
Salary sacrificing means asking your employer to send part of your before-tax pay straight into super. The money is generally taxed at 15% inside the fund instead of your normal marginal tax rate, so for many workers it is a tax saving as well as a savings boost. Even $20 or $50 a week adds up over decades because of compounding — your earnings start earning their own earnings. For 2026–27, the concessional contributions cap, which covers employer contributions plus salary sacrifice plus any personal contributions you claim as a tax deduction, is $32,500 a year.
3. Make small personal contributions when you can
Best for: anyone with irregular income or a spare lump sum.
You do not need a salary sacrifice arrangement to add to your super. A one-off contribution from a tax refund, a bonus or a bit of spare savings works too. After-tax contributions count towards the non-concessional cap, which is $130,000 a year for 2026–27. If you are under 75 and your total super balance allows it, you may be able to bring forward up to three years of this cap — $390,000 in one go. Keep an eye on the caps: going over them can mean extra tax.
4. Use catch-up contributions if you have unused cap room
Best for: people who took time out of work or earned less in past years.
If your total super balance was under $500,000 at the end of the previous financial year, you may be able to carry forward unused concessional cap amounts from the past five years. This is handy if you had years on a lower income, parental leave or study, and now have room to top up. Unused amounts expire after five years, so it is worth checking what you have available before the end of the financial year.
5. Check your investment option still suits you
Best for: anyone who has never changed their default option.
Most people sit in their fund’s default option and never think about it again. But the right option depends on how long until you retire. Younger workers with decades ahead can usually afford more growth assets like shares, which bounce around more in the short term but have historically grown more over long periods. If retirement is close, a more conservative mix may suit you better. Switching options is usually free and done online, but it is worth understanding the risk before you move — and getting advice if you are unsure.
6. Cut the fees you do not need to pay
Best for: anyone with a small balance or multiple accounts.
Fees come out of your balance every year, and even a small difference compounds over time. Compare what your fund charges with similar funds, and check whether you are paying for insurance or features you do not need. That said, the cheapest fund is not always the best one — what matters is what is left after fees and returns over the long run. The ATO’s YourSuper comparison tool lets you compare MySuper products on fees and net returns side by side.
7. Claim the government co-contribution if you are eligible
Best for: low and middle income earners.
If you make an after-tax contribution to your super and meet the income and eligibility rules, the government may add up to $500 to your account. The payment is 50 cents for every dollar you contribute, up to that $500 maximum, and it does not count towards your contribution caps. You do not need to apply separately — if you have given your fund your tax file number and you are eligible, the ATO pays it into your account after you lodge your tax return.
8. Help your partner’s super — and get a tax offset
Best for: couples where one partner earns less or has a smaller balance.
If your spouse earns under $40,000, contributing to their super could earn you a tax offset of up to $540 a year. The full offset applies when you contribute at least $3,000 and your spouse’s income is $37,000 or less, and it tapers off as their income rises towards $40,000. It is a simple way to even up retirement savings between partners, which matters a lot if one of you spent years out of paid work caring for family. The ATO sets out the spouse contribution rules and eligibility in detail.
9. Plan a downsizer contribution if you sell the family home
Best for: homeowners aged 55 and over who are downsizing.
If you are 55 or older and sell a home you have owned for at least 10 years, you may be able to put up to $300,000 per person from the sale proceeds into super. This sits outside the normal contribution caps, so a couple could add up to $600,000 between them. It is a big decision with tax and pension implications, so it is worth talking to a financial adviser before you rely on it.
What about the basics you are already getting?
It helps to know what is already working for you. Since 1 July 2025, employers must pay super guarantee contributions of 12% of your ordinary time earnings into your fund. That is the foundation everything else builds on. If you are self-employed, there is no compulsory employer contribution, so personal contributions matter even more. And if you have more than one super account, our guide on whether you can have two super accounts explains the pros and cons of keeping them separate.
Common questions
How much extra should I put into super?
There is no one right number. Start with what you can afford without straining your weekly budget — even a small regular amount beats a big plan you never start. Then increase it when your pay rises or debts are paid off.
Is it too late to grow my super?
No. Extra contributions, a better investment option and lower fees can help at any age, and strategies like catch-up contributions and downsizer contributions are designed for later in working life. The sooner you start, the more compounding helps, but starting late is still far better than not starting.
Should I get financial advice first?
For big moves — large lump sums, changing investment options near retirement, or downsizer contributions — personal financial advice is worth it. This article is general information only and does not take your personal situation into account.
The bottom line
Growing your super is not about one clever trick. It is about a handful of ordinary habits: one account instead of several, a little extra in when you can, the right investment option for your stage of life, and claiming every government boost you are eligible for. Sort out one item from this list this week, and your future self will be glad you did.
