Mental health
Treatment For An Acute Or Chronic Mental Illness
Compassionate release of super may be available where treatment is needed to relieve an acute or chronic mental illness. Your application explains your diagnosed or clinically assessed condition, how it’s affecting your wellbeing and daily life, and why the proposed treatment is needed.
Good to know
The ATO requires a report from a psychiatrist, not a psychologist, for mental illness applications.
Need support now?
Call Lifeline on 13 11 14, any time, day or night. In an emergency, call 000.
Your Application Needs To Show
- The acute or chronic mental health condition being treated
- How it is affecting your wellbeing and daily functioning
- The treatment you need, and why it is medically necessary
- How the treatment is expected to relieve or improve your condition
- That you have no other reasonable way to pay for it
What You’ll Need
- A report from a psychiatrist (not a psychologist)
- A report from your GP or another registered medical practitioner
- Supporting evidence from your treating practitioner that sets out the clinical need and expected benefit
- An itemised quote for the treatment
- Evidence that you can’t pay another way, such as bank statements
How we protect your application: every detail must accurately reflect your clinical circumstances, in your practitioners’ own words. We check the reports cover the condition, its impact, the treatment and the expected benefit before anything is lodged.
Ready To Check Your Eligibility?
It takes about four minutes, is free, and there’s no obligation. A Case Manager will call you within one business day.
Super for Health is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The ATO decides every application, and approval is not guaranteed. The amount released is based on your itemised quote or invoice.
Super released on compassionate grounds is paid and taxed as a normal super lump sum, must be included in your tax return, and may affect government benefits and insurance held through your super fund. This page is general information only and is not medical, financial or tax advice. Consider your circumstances and speak with your super fund or a licensed adviser.
It is illegal to access super early unless you meet a condition of release. False or misleading statements in an application can attract penalties.
Treatment examples are illustrative. Eligibility depends on your medical circumstances and supporting reports, not on the type of treatment alone.