What is Contribution Splitting?

Contribution splitting is when you can have a portion of your super contributions transferred to your spouse’s super account – either in your Catholic Super account, or in a different fund. Eligible contributions can be split between couples after the completion of the financial year, or earlier if the member is withdrawing their benefit. Contribution splitting applies to married or de facto couples, including same sex couples. A fee applies to contribution splitting.

What kind of contributions are eligible?

Only concessional contributions (i.e. all employer contributions including Super Guarantee contributions, salary sacrifice contributions and contributions made by the self employed) are eligible for contribution splitting. Members can split up to 85% of their concessional contributions.

Members cannot split personal after tax contributions, amounts transferred from another super fund or amounts subject to a Family Law payment split or contributions above the concessional contributions cap.

The total original contribution before splitting applies to the member’s concessional contributions cap.

Catholic Super needs to receive contributions splitting advice by 31 May for the previous financial year’s contributions. Contact us to find out more.

Download the Contribution Splitting form 

What if I’m divorcing, separating or about to re-marry?

Under Australian law, superannuation entitlements can be split between divorcing or separating couples. The law allows the Courts to order the splitting of superannuation in divorce cases or couples may make their own arrangements to do so. A fee applies for splitting contributions.

The Federal Government passed amendments to the Family Law Act in 2008 giving the Family Court power to split the property, including superannuation, of separated de facto couples. The new law started operating in most states from 1 March 2009. It applies in South Australia if the de facto relationship broke down on or after 1 July 2010. Super splitting for separating de facto couples now applies in all states and territories except Western Australia.

Upon request, we are required by law to provide prescribed information about a member’s superannuation to a spouse, or to a potential spouse in the case of a pre-nuptial agreement. We are not allowed to advise you that this information has been requested, nor are we allowed to release your address to your spouse.


Want to know more about contribution splitting? Contact Us or call 1300 655 002 (Mon-Fri 8.00am-5.30pm AEST).