Superannuation With Visa 186: Your Entitlements and How to Access It
Superannuation (super) is Australia’s compulsory retirement savings system — an employer must contribute a set percentage (currently 11–12%) of your wage into your super account. With a subclass 186 (permanent residence), you have the full super entitlements of an Australian citizen.
Super and the subclass 186: the basics
While you hold the subclass 186:
- Your employer must pay super for you at the current Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate
- You can make additional voluntary contributions
- Your super is invested and grows throughout your working life
- When you reach preservation age (currently 60), you can access your super
These entitlements are identical to those of Australian citizens — there is no discrimination on super based on visa status.
Choosing a super fund
If your employer does not nominate a specific fund, you have the right to choose your own super fund. Common larger funds include AustralianSuper, Hostplus, REST, Sunsuper (now the Australian Retirement Trust), and UniSuper (for the education sector).
Management fees and investment performance differ between funds — worth examining closely if you plan to stay in Australia long term.
If you leave Australia permanently and give up PR
If you give up your permanent residence and leave Australia permanently, you may be able to withdraw all of your super through the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP).
Conditions for a DASP withdrawal:
- You have left Australia
- Your visa is no longer in effect (it has expired or been cancelled)
- You are not an Australian citizen
DASP tax: super withdrawn under DASP is taxed quite heavily (often 35–65% depending on the type of contribution). This is why many people weigh the decision carefully before giving up PR.
If you keep PR but spend a long time abroad
If you keep your permanent residence but live abroad temporarily (without giving up PR), your super stays in the account and continues to grow. You do not need to do anything special.
When you return to Australia and resume work, your employer resumes paying super.
Consolidation: combining multiple super accounts
Many people end up with several super accounts from different employers. Multiple accounts mean multiple sets of management fees. It is generally worth consolidating them into a single account through MyGov → ATO.
Super and the path to citizenship
If you become an Australian citizen, you can no longer withdraw super early under DASP — you must wait until retirement age like any other Australian citizen. This is a point some people weigh before applying for citizenship while holding a significant super balance.