You can access your super early in Australia only under certain conditions such as severe financial hardship, compassionate grounds, terminal illness, permanent incapacity, or temporary departure from Australia if you are a temporary resident. Here are the main ways to access your super early:

1. Severe Financial Hardship:
   • You must be receiving eligible government income support for at least 26 weeks.
   • You can withdraw up to $10,000 before tax in a 12-month period.
   • You need to apply through your super fund, provide evidence of your income support, and demonstrate you cannot meet reasonable living expenses.
2. Compassionate Grounds:
   • Applies if you need to pay for medical treatment, mortgage to prevent home loss, disability modifications, palliative care, or funeral expenses.
   • You first apply to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) online via myGov compassionate release in the super tab.
   • If approved, you then complete forms with your super fund to withdraw the approved amount.
   • Application processing can take up to 14 days for online applications or 28 days for paper applications.
3. Other Situations:
   • Terminal medical condition or permanent incapacity.
   • Temporary residents permanently leaving Australia.
   • Super balance less than $200 upon termination of employment.

You generally cannot access your super simply because you want it early; it is meant for retirement and is accessed only after reaching preservation age (usually from age 60 if retired, or 65 regardless of employment status) or meeting the early release criteria mentioned above.

If needing to apply for early access due to severe financial hardship or compassionate grounds, gather necessary documentation such as proof of income support, medical certificates, or mortgage statements and apply through the ATO or your super fund as required.