5 simple ways to help grow your super

With the cost of living rising,¹ it’s easy to focus on the short term. But your long-term plans matter more than ever. Use our 5 steps to make your money work harder in 2026.

Save money now, grow your super, and feel more confident about life after work – it’s not only possible, it’s easier than it seems.

We’ve pulled together some tips to help get on track.

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Where to start

Take a moment to get a clear picture of your super balance right now. If you have a QSuper account, the easiest way is to log in to Member Online.

Here are some things to check:

• how much you and your employer have added
• what’s come out in fees and insurance premiums
• any money you’ve moved over from other super funds.

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5 steps to help your super grow

Here’s our quick list to help make sure your super is working as hard as you are.

1. Look for lost super

There are billions of dollars in lost super in Australia. Some of it might be yours.

You can do a quick check for lost or unclaimed super in Member Online. The search will show any super accounts you have with other funds and any super that the ATO’s holding for you.

Best of all, there are no paper forms to sign or mail in.

Finding your lost super can be a key to helping you reach your retirement goals.

2. Combine your super

Combining your super, or consolidating, means moving all of your super into one account.

One super account means one set of fees. It also cuts down on paperwork and makes it easier to keep track of your super.

Before you combine super, think about whether it’s right for you. You may lose access to benefits such as insurance or pension options. And you need to consider tax implications.

3. Salary sacrifice to super

Salary sacrificing is when you pay part of your salary into your super account before tax. It can help you save money now and grow your savings for when you retire.

Save on tax: For most people, salary sacrifice contributions get taxed at 15%.² That’s usually less than your normal tax rate if you earn over $45,000 a year.

Add to your savings: Your super grows over time. So, a little extra added to your super could mean a lot more when you retire.

Ask your employer about setting up salary sacrifice to your super, if it's right for you.

There are limits to how much you can add to super this way each year. Find out how salary sacrifice works.

4. Make voluntary contributions

Even small amounts from your after-tax pay each week or month may make a big difference to your savings. And you may be eligible for a tax deduction.

A voluntary after-tax super contribution is money you choose to pay into your super fund from your after-tax income or savings. It's different from salary sacrificing which happens before your income is taxed.

There are limits to how much you can add after-tax to super each year, too.

5. Check your investments

How you invest your super can make a difference to what you’ll have when you stop working. So, choosing the right investment option is important.

Your investment goals will likely change over time. And you may want a more stable option as you get closer to retirement.

Think about the mix of each asset class that best suits your circumstances.

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1. Australian Bureau of Statistics, Selected Living Cost Indexes, Australia, June 2025.
2. If your income plus before-tax super contributions are over $250,000, an extra 15% tax may apply to your contributions.
3. Any advice given is by representatives of ART Financial Advice Pty Ltd (ABN 50 087 154 818, AFSL 227867), a separate legal entity wholly owned by the Trustee as an asset of Australian Retirement Trust. As representatives, they may recommend ART products from time to time. So read the relevant Financial Services Guide at art.com.au/fsg to tell you about that advice and how they’re paid.

This information and all QSuper products are issued by Australian Retirement Trust Pty Ltd (ABN 88 010 720 840, AFSL 228975) (Trustee) as trustee for Australian Retirement Trust (ABN 60 905 115 063) (Fund). Any reference to “QSuper” is a reference to the Government Division of the Fund. This is general information only, so it does not take into account your client’s personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before your client acquires or continues to hold any financial product, you should consider whether the product is right for your client by reading the relevant product disclosure statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination available at qsuper.qld.gov.au/docs or call us on 1300 360 750 to request a copy. If you do not want to hear from us, except when we are required by law to contact you, please call us.