Superannuation and tax for PALM scheme workers

What is superannuation?

Superannuation, or ‘super’, is Australia’s retirement savings system. It is the main way most Australian workers save money for their retirement. It is like the National Provident Funds that operate in many Pacific Island countries.

As a PALM scheme worker, you are eligible for super, just like other workers in Australia.

When you work in Australia, your employer is required to pay extra money into a super account for you. This is called the Superannuation Guarantee (or SG). It is separate from your wages and is paid on top of what you earn.
The SG amount is currently calculated at 12% of your wages, however, SG may not be paid on items like overtime payments, certain allowances or bonuses. This money goes into a super fund, which invests the money to help it grow.

What is tax?

Taxes help pay for services in Australia that everyone needs, like schools, hospitals and roads.

Your employer takes tax from each pay and sends it to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). This means you pay a bit of tax each time you are paid so that you don’t have a big tax bill at the end of the financial year (which ends on 30 June). You will see how much tax has been withheld from each pay on your payslip.

You may need to lodge a tax return. To find out if you need to lodge a tax return, you can check the lodging a tax return factsheet or visit the ATO website.

How can I access my super?

As a PALM scheme worker, you can access your super money after you leave Australia for the last time, by submitting a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) claim using the DASP online application.

You can submit your DASP online application if:

you have left Australia
your visa has expired or been cancelled
you do not have an Australian visa (including tourist visas), and
you are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanently live in Australia.

When should I start my DASP online application?

You should start your DASP online application while you are still in Australia so that you can get all the information you need. When applying, you must use the same name you gave to the ATO and Department of Home Affairs. If you need to you should:

certify any documents you need before you leave Australia (contact your super fund to ask what documents they need). Free services are available to support you with this. There may be a higher cost when you return home, and certification requirements may also differ depending on your location.
leave your Australian bank account open so that the DASP can be paid into your bank account after you leave the country. You may need to talk to your bank about this.

You can only finish and submit your DASP claim once you have left Australia and will need to remember the email and password you used to start the application.

Unclaimed super money

It’s best to claim your super within six months of leaving Australia. If you haven’t claimed it by then, and your visa has expired, your super money will be transferred to the ATO as unclaimed super. This does not mean that your super is lost. You can claim your unclaimed super money as a DASP at any time.

What support is available to help me with my DASP?

A range of resources and activities are available to support PALM scheme workers to access their super, including:

online resources
ATO online, which links to the DASP application system
in-person support from participating Government-funded National Tax Clinics, and
virtual (telephone/online) support.

More information on these support options is available below.

Support for workers in Australia

In-person group super support:

National Tax Clinics offer free in-person support at participating worksites in select regions throughout the year to help you start preparing your DASP online application. They may be able to travel to your PALM scheme workplace and hold an information session to help you start preparing your DASP claim while you are still in Australia, which will make it easier for you to lodge your claim when you eventually return home.

You can ask your employer to approach the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) to see if National Tax Clinics can provide in-person support at your worksite. Please do not approach National Tax Clinics directly in the first instance.

Virtual (telephone/online) one-on-one super support:

The DASP Advisory Service is a virtual tax agent. This means it can be accessed anywhere, whether you are in Australia or overseas, as long as you have internet connectivity.

The DASP Advisory Service provides the same support as the National Tax Clinics, but on a one-on-one basis. It can help assist you in preparing and submitting your DASP claim.

This includes guidance on gathering documents, getting them certified, and other steps that you should take before you finish your PALM scheme placement and leave Australia. This can be done before you leave Australia so that you can make choices for your super that are right for you. The DASP Advisory Service currently provides support in English.

To access the DASP Advisory Service, you can call the PALM scheme support service line (1800 51 51 31) or email (palm@dewr.gov.au). If you are a PALM scheme worker, you will be asked to fill out a simple online form with your contact details. Once this form is submitted, staff from the DASP Advisory Service will get in touch with you.

How can I access this support?

If you have questions about your super or would like to know if there are super support activities planned for your region or worksite, you should ask your PALM scheme employer.

If your employer cannot answer your questions or you would like more information, you can call the PALM scheme support service line (1800 51 51 31) or email (palm@dewr.gov.au) and PALM scheme staff will share a survey link with you to direct you to available support.

Factsheets and further information on superannuation and tax is also available at the end of this page.

Support for workers who have returned to their home country

If you have left Australia for the last time and would like help with your DASP claim, you can contact your local labour sending unit for support.

The detailed DASP online application factsheet has also been developed to provide step-by-step support to complete your DASP application.

For PALM scheme employers: supporting workers with their super country

As laid out in the PALM scheme deed and guidelines, PALM scheme employers have an obligation to assist workers in understanding and accessing their super.

If you have employed a group of workers and they are currently approaching the final 6 months of their PALM scheme placement, it may be helpful to organise support through the National Tax Clinic outreach program or DASP Advisory Service.

In-person group super support

The Australian government may be able to organise outreach visits with participating National Tax Clinics to help PALM scheme workers. You can arrange a visit by getting in touch with your PALM scheme Relationship Manager or contacting DEWR by email (palm@dewr.gov.au). Please do not approach National Tax Clinics directly in the first instance.

Virtual (telephone/online) one-on-one super support

This support is provided virtually and can be organised at short notice. It may be helpful for workers who have not yet left Australia but need assistance in gathering the necessary documentation for their DASP claim.

Further information on and access to the PALM scheme DASP Advisory Service is available by calling the PALM scheme support service line (1800 51 51 31) or emailing (palm@dewr.gov.au). Workers (or their delegate) will be asked to express their interest in receiving the telephone/online support by completing a simple online form. Please note that this support is in English only and available to PALM scheme workers who are still in Australia at the time of engagement.

Factsheets and resources

Guidance on assisting workers in understanding and accessing their super is available on the PALM scheme website.

guidance on how you can support workers in preparing their DASP claim
information on what happens to a worker’s super if they pass away
posters to put up at worksites.

For labour sending units and country liaison officers: supporting workers with their super

The Australian Government may be able to provide you with further information on superannuation, tax, and available support services. If you work for a participating country’s government labour sending unit and wish to know more about super support activities for PALM scheme workers, please contact (PALMscheme@dfat.gov.au) or (palm@dewr.gov.au).