• Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Venture Financial Planning Pty Ltd

03 5434 7600 Contact us
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Careers
  • Financial Services
    • Superannuation & Retirement Planning
    • Investment Advice
    • Cashflow & Debt Management
    • Personal Risk Insurance
    • Centrelink Services
    • Aged Care
    • Estate Planning
  • SMSF Accounting
  • News & Resources
    • News & Market Updates

March 2, 2018 by Venture

Home and away with superannuation

Australians buying their first home or downsizing in retirement are about to receive a helping hand thanks to new superannuation (super) rules which come into effect on 1 July 2018.

From that date, first home buyers will be able to contribute up to $30,000 into their super fund towards a home deposit while downsizers can put up to $300,000 of the proceeds of selling the family home into super.

This new measure has been devised to assist first home buyers, many of whom have struggled to save a deposit as rising prices put even entry level properties out of reach.

At the other end of the scale, the change is envisaged to help older homeowners who frequently find themselves in large houses while trying to survive on a modest super balance or the aged pension.

Here’s how the Federal Government hopes to improve the situation at both ends of the property market:

Buying a home

Under the new First Home Super Saver (FHSS) scheme, individuals can arrange for up to $30,000 to be deducted from their pre-tax income and put in their super account. They can then withdraw 85% of that money ($25,500), plus any interest they’ve earned on it, to use for a home deposit. In the case of a couple, both partners can save $30,000, meaning a deposit of $51,000 (i.e. 85% of $60,000) plus interest can be accumulated.

So what’s the catch?
It’s complicated

For starters, individuals can only contribute $15,000 into their FHSS account in any one year. What’s more, the compulsory 9.5% super contributions made by employers can’t be accessed; additional voluntary contributions need to be made. The annual contributions cap of $25,000 cannot be exceeded; this includes all voluntary contributions plus employer’s Super Guarantee contributions.

When the money is withdrawn, it is taxed at the individual’s marginal tax rate minus a 30% tax offset. Effectively, that means most people will pay little or no tax although higher income earners on high marginal rates will still pay some tax.

Selling a home

Under the Downsizer Super Contribution Scheme (DSC), homeowners who are 65 or older can put up to $300,000 of their home sale proceeds into their super provided it’s their place of residence and they’ve owned it for at least 10 years. In the case of a couple, both partners can deposit $300,000 (collectively $600,000) into super.

What’s the catch?

Unless you’re a wealthy retiree looking for a tax break there doesn’t appear to be one. For those who already have more than $1.3 million in superannuation, adding a $300,000 downsizer contribution will breach the $1.6 million balance transfer cap which is the maximum balance that can be held in a tax free super pension account. Given the current generation of Australians have been retiring with average super balances of well under $300,000, that is unlikely to be an issue for most downsizers.

What do you do now?

If you are looking to purchase your first home, you will need to check your super fund allows FHSS contributions and, more importantly, withdrawals. You’ll then need to arrange for your employer to deduct voluntary contributions of up to $15,000 a year. When you want to access your money, you will have to acquire a ‘FHSS determination’ (essentially a balance statement) from the Commissioner of Taxation before requesting your super fund to release the money.

Following approval of this request, your super fund deposits your FHHS money, minus any tax you’ve incurred, into your account. You then have 12 months to sign a contract to buy or build a home.

If you are looking to downsize your home, you will first need to check your super fund accepts downsizer contributions. If it does, you can deposit up to $300,000 within 90 days of receiving the proceeds of the sale. You’ll have to fill in and send your super fund a ‘downsizer contribution form’ before, or when transferring the money into your account.

If you’re hoping to either buy your first home or downsize, call us on 03 5434 7600 to discuss how the changes to super can save you money.

Financial Services Guide

Our Financial Services Guide (FSG) is a detailed guide to our business and the advice services we offer. It describes the fees we may charge, the information we may collect about you, and the ways we use that information.

If you have any questions, or if anything is unclear, please feel free to contact us.

Download our FSG

Venture Representative Profile

Direct Debit Request

Our Financial Services

  • Superannuation & Retirement Planning
  • Investment Advice
  • Cashflow & Debt Management
  • Personal Risk Insurance
  • Centrelink Services
  • Aged Care
  • Estate Planning
  • Privacy Policy and Disclaimer
  • Financial Services Guide Pt1
  • Financial Services Guide Pt2

Copyright © 2025 Venture Financial Planning Pty Ltd
Wordpress Website by The DMA

Venture Financial Planning Pty Ltd ABN 62 095 194 559 wholly owns Venture Financial Advisers Pty Ltd ABN 60 648 465 445. Venture Financial Advisers is a Corporate Authorised representative of Count Financial Limited ABN 19 001 974 625 Australian Financial Services Licence Holder Number 227232 ("Count Financial"). Count Wealth Accountants® is a trading name of Count Financial. Count Financial is 85% owned by Count Limited ABN 111 26 990 832 ("Count") of Level 8, 1 Chifley Square, Sydney 2000 NSW and15% owned by Count Member Firm Pty Ltd ACN 633 983 490 of Level 8, 1 Chifley Square, Sydney 2000 NSW. Count is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Count Member Firm Pty Ltd is owned by Count Member Firm DT Pty Ltd ACN 633 956 073 which holds the assets under a discretionary trust for certain beneficiaries including potentially some corporate authorised representatives of Count Financial.