Using My Super For Dental Work (ATO) | Brisbane / Logan
Ever wondered how ‘using your Super for dental work ’ works? You’ve come to the right place. You can use Super for dental work but there are some things you need to know. This page will answer the crucial questions about accessing Super for dental work, including:
Can I Withdraw Super For Dental Work?
As the cost of living continues to rise, it can be difficult for many individuals and families to afford basic healthcare services, including dental. Recent studies revealed that 39% of Australians over the age of 15 avoided going to the dentist due to cost. Because of this, many people are starting to seek alternative payment methods, like accessing Super for dental.
In Australia, Compassionate Release of Superannuation is a way to access your superannuation early in urgent situations set by the government, like severe financial hardship or medical treatments.
Using your superannuation for necessary dental treatment that you can’t otherwise afford can be incredibly helpful. However, while all individuals have the right to apply for early access to their Super on compassionate grounds, strict criteria apply. You will need to prove that you are experiencing ‘acute or chronic dental pain’ and will only use the money for the referred dental treatments.
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) defines these terms as below:
- Acute: “the rapid onset or progress of a condition. It suggests there is some urgency for treatment.”
- Chronic: “a condition having an indefinite duration or less rapid change. The condition may have been stable for some time or be characterised by periods of relapse or remission”.
A dentist consultation is required to verify that acute or chronic pain makes you a candidate for early release of superannuation. This is also the case if you are seeking early release of super for a family member who classifies as a dependent.
Who Is Eligible For Compassionate Release Of Super?
In Australia, all individuals have the right to apply for early access to their Super on compassionate grounds to use that super to pay for dental treatment.
You’ll need specific documents from a qualified dental practitioner (a GP or dental specialist) to prove you can access your Super early for dental treatment. These include:
- A detailed quote or bill for the dental work you need because of severe dental pain.
- A medical report clearly outlining the dental issues causing your chronic or acute pain.
- A copy of your treatment plan showing all the steps required.
These papers must be signed and completed within six months before your treatment.
You also have to meet these four conditions:
- You do not have dental insurance covering this treatment.
- You cannot afford the treatment through loans, savings, or selling assets.
- The treatment hasn’t already been paid for by any other method.
- You’re a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand.
How Much Super Can You Use For Dental Work?
You can take out as much Super as you need for your dental treatment, depending on how much you have in your Super fund and the overall treatment costs.
What Dental Treatments Are Covered?
If you’re in severe dental pain and need early access to your Super for treatment, eligible services may include:
- General dentistry
- Orthodontics (braces)
- Dentures
- Root canals
- Dental implants
- Dental crowns and bridges
- Gum treatments (periodontics)
- Wisdom teeth
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeries
The specific procedure depends on what’s necessary to ease your pain, and you’ll need proof from your dentist or orthodontist before applying for early access.
Our clinic at Underwood (servicing Brisbane & Logan) and our partner clinic Maudsland Dental Care (Servicing Gold Coast) offer gentle and affordable dental services to all ages. We aim to make your dental experience pain and stress-free, using state-of-the-art equipment in a comfortable and modern facility. If you are not eligible to access your Super early, we also accept multiple payment methods including Afterpay and ZipMoney, and accept all health funds to ease the financial burden.
How To Access Your Super On Compassionate Grounds?
There are two ways to get early access to your Super for dental work:
1. Through a Provider:
- Work with a dental practitioner who partners with a service like Access My Super.
- The provider helps with paperwork and submits it for you.
- They talk to your super fund about release conditions.
- They find the right dental specialist for your needs.
- Applications are processed and returned within 7-14 days.
2. Doing It Yourself:
- Consult a dental practitioner and complete the ATO online form independently.
- You’ll handle the forms as per ATO requirements and submit them.
- Discuss release conditions directly with your super fund.
- Find a suitable dental specialist for the required medical report.
- This process can take anywhere from 14 days to several months.
Some Extra Info To Consider
It’s important to note that the ATO considers early access to your Superannuation as taxable income. They might tax around 20% of what you take out. It could also impact things like child support, income support, and family tax benefits.
Furthermore, you might lose benefits like income protection or death/disability insurance if you drain too much of your Super before retirement. We strongly recommend getting professional advice before you make your final decision.
Need Help Getting Started?
Regardless of your situation, the first step is always to visit a qualified dental practitioner to check your teeth and decide how to ease your dental pain. If you cannot proceed with the recommended treatment due to financial hardship, they’ll let you know of your alternative payment options, including how to access your Super early. They will provide you with all the required ATO forms if you decide to proceed with this method.
Need more information on using your Super for dental care (ATO)? Just give us a call! Our team has helped loads of Aussies receive affordable dental care through early Super access.
Get in touch today to chat about accessing your super sooner for a brighter smile!