Access Super for Dental in WA

Your super is for retirement, but you may be able to access it earlier on compassionate (and other hardship) grounds for essential services for you or your dependant, including dental treatment, provided that you meet all eligibility conditions.

For release on compassionate grounds, you need to meet all eligibility conditions and provide the relevant documents to support your application.

To determine if you’re eligible for compassionate release of your super, you’ll need to meet all of the below:

Condition 1

You are or have been a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or you are or have been a New Zealand citizen.

You are not eligible to apply if: a) you are currently a temporary resident, or b) you were a temporary resident and are not a current Australian citizen or permanent resident or New Zealand citizen.

However, you may be eligible to be paid your super in the form of a Departing Australia superannuation payment.

Condition 2

You meet the eligibility requirements of the specific compassionate grounds that you’re applying for. For dental work, this falls under medical treatment and/or medical transport expenses.

Medical-Treatment Criteria

The treatment must meet both of the following eligibility conditions:

Criteria A: you or your dependant must require the medical treatment to either

o treat a life-threatening illness or injury;

o alleviate acute or chronic pain; or

o alleviate acute or chronic mental illness.

Criteria B: 

the treatment is not readily available through the public health system.

Condition 3

You or your dependant’s expense is unpaid or has been paid as a result of you borrowing money that remains outstanding.

Condition 4

You can’t afford to pay part or all the expense without accessing your super. That is, you can’t pay the expense by other means such as using your savings, redrawing your mortgage, selling shares, investments or assets, borrowing money, obtaining a loan or using credit facilities.

Condition 5

You provide all required supporting evidence and invoices or quotes, including any documentary evidence required to show you’re in a dependant relationship with someone when you’re applying to pay an expense for them.

.  If you intend to apply for early access to your superannuation to fund dental treatment, please be aware that only treatments that meet the ATO’s medical-treatment criteria under the compassionate grounds framework may be eligible.

Set out below are examples of dental treatments for which some patients have previously obtained approval for early release of super, depending on their individual clinical and financial circumstances:

• Dental implants or restorations;

• Periodontal (gum) treatment

• Root canal treatments

• Orthodontic treatment (where clinically justified)

• O&M surgeries (oral and maxillofacial) Crowns and Dentures

 Please note that eligibility is assessed by the ATO on a case-by-case basis. Approval is not guaranteed. The list above is not exhaustive, and the fact that a treatment appears in this list does not imply that it will meet the medical-treatment criteria in every case. Each application must be supported by clinical justification and satisfy the ATO’s statutory requirements.

A. Patients considering applying for early release of superannuation will generally need to:

            A. Consult with your dentist and/or a medical professional

( You should consult a dental practitioner and either a second dental practitioner or a registered medical practitioner to determine whether your health condition and proposed treatment satisfies the ATO’s medical-treatment criteria for compassionate release of super.)

      B. Prepare the necessary documentation

If you are applying for dental treatment, you are required to provide the below evidence:

• A treatment plan: a copy of your treatment plan with details of all stages of the treatment

• A quote: an itemised quote or an invoice

• Two medical reports: This could either be a report from a registered medical practitioner and report from a dental practitioner or 2 medical reports from separate dental practitioners.

If your treatment is eligible, your dental and/or medical practitioners can also provide the relevant supporting documentation to support your application.

Before applying to access your superannuation, it’s important to understand your options and the potential financial implications. Accessing your super early will reduce your super balance. This may affect your:

• Future retirement income

• Income protection insurance

• Life and total and permanent disability insurance cover

• Family tax benefit

• Child support payments

Make sure you understand your options and the financial impacts of accessing your super before applying. We strongly recommend getting financial advice.

What is Mandurah Dental Surgery’s role?

At Mandurah Dental Surgery your wellbeing is our top priority. We’re committed to helping you access the dental care you need and deserve

What We Provide

Our dental practitioners can help you:

• Assess whether your medical condition and proposed treatment likely meet the medical-treatment criteria; and

• Prepare the relevant supporting clinical documentation, such as medical reports, quotes and treatment plans, where you are clinically eligible and the treatment is justified.

If you want to consult our dentist, you can book online or submit an enquiry.

What We Do Not Provide

• We do not prepare, complete, or lodge ATO applications on your behalf.

• We do not provide financial, taxation, or legal advice.

• We do not guarantee that any treatment will qualify for early release of superannuation. Eligibility is determined by the ATO on a case-by-case basis.