Every financial year starts with a few adjustments. A threshold moves. A rate changes. Trustees update their records and move on.
1 July 2026 is not that kind of year.
On a single date, contribution caps rise, the general transfer balance cap indexes again, Payday Super replaces the quarterly employer contribution system, Division 296 begins applying to super earnings above $3 million, Australia Post’s SMSF messaging gateway shuts down permanently, and the ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House closes for good.
These changes were legislated, debated and reported on separately. But they all start at almost the same time, and several of them interact. Not every change will apply to every SMSF. Together, they make 1 July 2026 more than a routine start to the financial year.
This page covers every key SMSF change taking effect on 1 July 2026 in one reference.
Key Takeaways
- The concessional contributions cap rises from $30,000 to $32,500, and the non-concessional cap rises from $120,000 to $130,000, from 1 July 2026.
- The general transfer balance cap increases from $2,000,000 to $2,100,000. This raises the total super balance threshold for non-concessional contribution eligibility to $2,100,000, reopening access for some members who were locked out in 2025-26.
- The three-year bring-forward maximum increases from $360,000 to $390,000, with updated total super balance thresholds.
- Payday Super replaces quarterly SG payments from 1 July 2026. Employers must ensure contributions are received by the fund within 7 business days of payday.
- Division 296, the additional tax on super earnings for balances above $3 million, commences on 1 July 2026. The first assessment is based on the member’s total super balance at 30 June 2027.
- Australia Post’s SMSF Gateway closes permanently on 30 June 2026. The ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House closes permanently from 1 July 2026.
- The Maximum Contribution Base changes from a quarterly cap of $62,500 to an annual cap of $270,830.
SMSF changes from 1 July 2026: the complete list
Here is every key SMSF setting that changes on 1 July 2026, alongside the current figure.
| What’s changing | 2025-26, to 30 June | 2026-27, from 1 July |
|---|---|---|
| Concessional contributions cap | $30,000 | $32,500 |
| Non-concessional contributions cap | $120,000 | $130,000 |
| Bring-forward maximum, 3 years | $360,000 | $390,000 |
| General transfer balance cap | $2,000,000 | $2,100,000 |
| Total super balance threshold for NCC eligibility | $2,000,000 | $2,100,000 |
| SG payment timing | Quarterly, 28 days after quarter end | Per payday, received by fund within 7 business days |
| Maximum Contribution Base | $62,500 per quarter | $270,830 per year |
| Division 296 tax | Not in effect | Applies from 1 July 2026, first assessment based on 30 June 2027 balance |
| Small Business Superannuation Clearing House | Available until 11:59 pm AEST 30 June | Permanently closed |
| Australia Post SMSF Gateway | Available until 30 June | Permanently closed |
For most trustees, the net effect is greater contribution flexibility alongside tighter administrative timing.
For a quick reference to all current and upcoming thresholds, see the SMSF Rules and Limits page. For key dates during the financial year, see the SMSF Compliance Calendar.
New SMSF contribution caps for 2026-27
Contribution caps limit how much can go into super each financial year without triggering excess contribution consequences. The concessional contributions cap rises from $30,000 to $32,500 on 1 July 2026. This cap is indexed in line with Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings and increases in $2,500 increments. The concessional cap is the total annual limit across employer SG, salary sacrifice, and personal deductible contributions combined.
The non-concessional contributions cap rises from $120,000 to $130,000. The non-concessional cap is set at four times the concessional cap, so it rises automatically with it.
If your employer is transitioning to Payday Super and has changed the timing of SG payments, check that total concessional contributions for 2025-26 have not already been pushed toward or past the current $30,000 cap before making any additional personal contributions before 30 June 2026.
For contribution planning context, see the SMSF Contribution Caps page and the SMSF Contribution Strategies guide.
Five-year carry-forward rule
The five-year carry-forward rule for unused concessional cap amounts continues under the higher cap. From 2026-27, any year in which you do not fully use the $32,500 concessional cap adds the unused portion to your carry-forward balance. This can be available in a future year if your total super balance is below $500,000 at the previous 30 June.
Unused carry-forward amounts from 2020-21, which were based on the $25,000 cap at the time, expired permanently on 30 June 2026 under the five-year rule. Carry-forward balances from 2021-22 onwards remain available, each based on the cap that applied in the year they were generated. You can check your available carry-forward amount through ATO online services via myGov.
Bring-forward thresholds for 2026-27
The bring-forward rule lets some eligible members access future years of non-concessional cap space early. The three-year bring-forward maximum rises from $360,000 to $390,000 on 1 July 2026. The bring-forward arrangement allows eligible members under age 75, subject to contribution acceptance rules, to contribute up to three years of non-concessional contributions in a single year. The amount available depends on the member’s total super balance at the previous 30 June.
The ATO’s non-concessional contributions cap page confirms the following thresholds for 2026-27:
| Total super balance at 30 June 2026 | Bring-forward access | Maximum NCC in 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Below $1,840,000 | 3-year bring-forward | $390,000 |
| $1,840,000 to below $1,970,000 | 2-year bring-forward | $260,000 |
| $1,970,000 to below $2,100,000 | Annual NCC cap only | $130,000 |
| $2,100,000 or above | Not eligible for NCCs | $0 |
Before making a large non-concessional contribution, confirm your exact total super balance, whether any earlier bring-forward period is still in effect, and whether the fund can accept the contribution. Your accountant or adviser can verify this.
Members who triggered a bring-forward arrangement in 2024-25 or 2025-26 may still be in an active bring-forward period. The new $130,000 annual cap and $390,000 three-year cap apply to bring-forward arrangements triggered from 1 July 2026 onwards, not necessarily to existing arrangements already in progress.
Transfer balance cap increase and contribution eligibility
The transfer balance cap limits how much super can be moved into tax-free retirement phase. The general transfer balance cap increases from $2,000,000 to $2,100,000 on 1 July 2026. The general transfer balance cap is indexed by CPI and increases in $100,000 increments. This follows the increase from $1,900,000 to $2,000,000 for 2025-26.
It also sets the reference point for the total super balance thresholds that govern contribution eligibility. When the general cap moves, those thresholds move with it.
From 1 July 2026, the total super balance threshold for non-concessional contribution eligibility rises to $2,100,000. A member whose balance at 30 June 2026 is between $2,000,000 and $2,099,999 may become eligible to make non-concessional contributions in 2026-27, even though they were locked out in 2025-26. Existing bring-forward positions and contribution acceptance rules still need to be checked.
Worked example: threshold indexation can restore NCC eligibility
Consider a trustee aged 62 whose total super balance was $2,050,000 at 30 June 2025. The threshold for non-concessional contribution eligibility was $2,000,000. Their balance exceeded it. Their NCC cap for 2025-26 was nil.
Now assume the same total super balance of $2,050,000 at 30 June 2026. The threshold has moved to $2,100,000. Their balance is below it. Their NCC cap for 2026-27 is $130,000.
| 2025-26 | 2026-27 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total super balance | $2,050,000 | $2,050,000 |
| Total super balance threshold for NCCs | $2,000,000 | $2,100,000 |
| Eligible for NCCs? | No | Yes |
| Maximum NCC | $0 | $130,000 |
Nothing changed about the trustee. Nothing changed about the fund. The threshold moved, and access opened. This example assumes no earlier bring-forward period is in effect and that contribution acceptance rules are satisfied.
General transfer balance cap vs personal transfer balance cap
One important distinction: the $2,100,000 figure is the general transfer balance cap. A member’s personal transfer balance cap depends on how much of their previous cap they have already used.
Members who commenced a retirement phase pension when the cap was $1.6 million, $1.7 million or $1.9 million may have a personal cap lower than $2,100,000, depending on how much cap space they used at the time.
The general cap is used for total super balance thresholds and contribution eligibility. Your personal cap applies to the amount you can transfer into pension phase. For more on pension phase rules, see the SMSF Pension Guide and the SMSF Pension Planner. For the ATO’s official explanation, see its transfer balance cap page.
Payday Super starts on 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, employers will need to ensure SG contributions are received by the employee’s super fund within 7 business days of payday. The quarterly SG payment cycle that has been in place since the early 1990s ends on 30 June 2026.
For a detailed breakdown of Payday Super and its implications for SMSF trustees, see our Payday Super guide.
Three SMSF trustee checks before Payday Super starts
1. Your fund has an active Electronic Service Address with a current provider. If your fund was using Australia Post’s SMSF Gateway, or your administrator has told you an old ESA service is being discontinued, choose an alternative provider from the ATO’s register of SMSF messaging providers, update the ATO or your administrator, and give the new ESA to the employer or payroll provider.
2. Your fund’s bank account details are correct with your employer, payroll provider and ESA provider. Under Payday Super, contribution processing happens more frequently, so any mismatch in details will surface faster.
3. Your fund’s annual return is lodged and up to date. If your SMSF’s 2024-25 annual return has not been lodged, your fund’s compliance status on Super Fund Lookup may be affected. A fund showing as non-compliant can have employer contributions rejected, and under Payday Super that becomes visible immediately rather than at the end of a quarter.
Other Payday Super changes
Payday Super also changes the SG calculation base. From 1 July 2026, “qualifying earnings” replaces ordinary time earnings as the basis for calculating SG. For many employees this may not change the practical amount, but SMSF trustees who control a related-party employer should make sure payroll software has been updated rather than assuming the old ordinary-time-earnings setting still applies.
The Maximum Contribution Base also changes from a quarterly cap of $62,500 to an annual cap of $270,830. For SMSF members who are also employers paying their own SG, cash flow and contribution cap monitoring may need closer attention during the transition.
Division 296 starts on 1 July 2026
Division 296, the additional tax on calculated super earnings for individuals with a total super balance above $3 million, commences on 1 July 2026. The first measurement date is 30 June 2027.
For the full mechanics of Division 296, see our Division 296 guide. For the one-off cost base reset election, see our cost base reset guide. For why 30 June 2026 valuations matter more than ever, see our SMSF valuations guide.
The transitional year works differently
For 2026-27 only, the Division 296 calculation does not work the same way as it will in later years. The first critical test is whether the member’s total super balance at 30 June 2027 is above the $3 million threshold. Broadly, Division 296 earnings are worked out from the change in total super balance, adjusted for contributions and withdrawals, before the taxable proportion is calculated. The dedicated Division 296 guide explains the full mechanics.
The cost base reset election
The cost base reset election allows eligible SMSFs to use the 30 June 2026 market value of eligible CGT assets held directly by the fund as their cost base for Division 296 purposes only. It does not change the fund’s ordinary CGT cost base. Key points:
- The election must be made by the due date of the fund’s 2026-27 annual return.
- It is a fund-level decision that applies to all eligible assets. Individual assets cannot be selected.
- It is irreversible once made.
- If the fund holds assets below their original cost base, resetting all eligible assets to 30 June 2026 market value can increase future Division 296 exposure on those assets if they recover.
- Market value evidence as at 30 June 2026 is needed if the election is later made. Valuation evidence should be arranged before year-end rather than reconstructed later.
- The election and its consequences should be discussed with a qualified adviser before acting.
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SMSF services closing on 30 June and 1 July 2026
Two services that many SMSFs have relied on for years are shutting down permanently, and the timing is tight.
Australia Post SMSF Gateway closes 30 June 2026
Australia Post has confirmed its SMSF messaging gateway will no longer process transactions after 30 June 2026. Any SMSF still using Australia Post as its Electronic Service Address needs to have arranged an alternative provider and updated the ATO before the closure.
The gap between Australia Post closing and Payday Super starting is zero days. A fund that has not migrated by 30 June may be unable to receive employer contributions through that ESA from 1 July.
Alternative ESA providers are listed on the ATO’s register of SMSF messaging providers.
ATO Small Business Superannuation Clearing House closes permanently from 1 July 2026
The SBSCH is a free service used by many small businesses to pay employee super. Access ends after 11:59 pm AEST on 30 June 2026. After that, it will no longer accept instructions, process payments, or provide access to records.
The ATO recommends downloading SBSCH transaction history through the SBSCH before 30 June, as records will not be accessible after the service closes. Employers using the SBSCH need to have transitioned to an alternative clearing house or payroll-integrated super payment solution before the deadline. The ATO’s SBSCH guidance page is the starting point for access and closure instructions.
For SMSF members who are also small business owners paying their own SG through the SBSCH, both the employer side and the fund side need to be ready before the same date.
SMSF trustee checklist before 1 July 2026
With less than three weeks until 30 June 2026, these are the key items to confirm.
Electronic Service Address. If your fund receives employer contributions, check that your ESA is active and with a current provider. If it was through Australia Post, or through any provider your administrator has told you is being discontinued, it needs to have been replaced and the ATO or administrator updated.
Annual return lodgement. If your fund’s 2024-25 annual return has not been lodged, contact your tax agent. Under Payday Super, a lapsed compliance status becomes a contribution-blocking problem, not just an administrative one.
Total super balance. If your balance is approaching $2,100,000, check the figure reported through ATO online services via myGov. The total super balance at 30 June 2026 determines your contribution eligibility for 2026-27, including whether non-concessional contributions and the bring-forward rule are available.
Valuations for Division 296. If your total super balance approaches or exceeds $3 million, confirm that market value evidence for fund assets, especially unlisted or hard-to-value assets, is being arranged before 30 June.
SBSCH transition. If you or your business uses the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House, download your transaction history and confirm your alternative payment method before 30 June.
If you are unsure about any of these, raise them with your accountant, administrator or adviser now. After 30 June, some of these issues become harder to fix.
What to watch after 1 July 2026
The 1 July date is not the finish line. In the first quarter of 2026-27, trustees should watch for three practical issues.
- Failed or missing SG contributions. Under Payday Super, failed employer contributions should be followed up quickly because the timing window is now measured in business days, not quarters.
- Contribution cap pressure. Check early 2026-27 contribution records if an employer changed payment timing around 30 June, especially where salary sacrifice or personal deductible contributions are also planned.
- Division 296 records. Funds near or above $3 million should keep valuation evidence and member movement records clean from the start of 2026-27, even though the first assessment comes later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the new SMSF contribution caps apply to contributions made before 30 June 2026?
No. Contributions count toward the cap of the financial year in which the fund receives them. Contributions received by your fund before 30 June 2026 count against the 2025-26 caps: $30,000 concessional and $120,000 non-concessional. Contributions received on or after 1 July 2026 count against the 2026-27 caps: $32,500 concessional and $130,000 non-concessional. What matters is the date the fund receives the contribution, not when it was initiated or sent.
What happens if my SMSF does not have a working ESA on 1 July 2026?
If your fund does not have an active Electronic Service Address with a current provider, employer contributions sent via SuperStream may fail to reach the fund. Under Payday Super, employers must ensure SG is received by the fund within 7 business days of payday. A fund with no working ESA cannot receive contributions electronically. If your ESA was through Australia Post, or through any service your administrator has told you is being discontinued, you need to have registered with an alternative provider and updated the ATO before 1 July.
Does the transfer balance cap increase to $2.1 million mean I can transfer more into pension phase?
Not necessarily. The $2,100,000 figure is the general transfer balance cap. Your personal transfer balance cap depends on how much cap space you have already used. If you commenced a retirement phase pension when the cap was $1.6 million and used 100% of your cap at that time, your personal cap remains $1.6 million regardless of indexation. If you used a smaller proportion, your personal cap will have increased with indexation, but may still be below $2.1 million. Check your personal transfer balance cap through ATO online services via myGov.
When is the first Division 296 assessment?
Division 296 commences on 1 July 2026. The first assessment is based on the member’s total super balance at 30 June 2027, under transitional rules that apply only to the 2026-27 financial year. From 2027-28 onwards, the calculation uses both the opening and closing balance.
Can I still make the Division 296 cost base reset election after 30 June 2026?
Yes. The election deadline is the due date of the fund’s 2026-27 annual return, which for many funds will be in 2028. However, the election uses market values as at 30 June 2026. Valuation evidence arranged at or near that date will generally be stronger than evidence prepared months or years later. If you are considering the election, arrange valuations for unlisted or hard-to-value assets before 30 June 2026, even though the election itself can be lodged later.
What is the new Maximum Contribution Base under Payday Super?
From 1 July 2026, the Maximum Contribution Base changes from $62,500 per quarter to $270,830 per year. This is the earnings threshold above which an employer is not required to pay SG. The annual figure is calculated as the concessional contributions cap of $32,500 multiplied by 100, divided by the SG rate of 12%. The practical effect is that for high-income employees, SG contributions may reach the annual cap earlier in the financial year than they would have under the quarterly system.
Where can I check my total super balance and fund compliance status?
Check your total super balance through ATO online services via myGov by selecting Super, then Information. Check your fund’s compliance status and ESA details on Super Fund Lookup.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, tax advice or legal advice. Always consult a licensed financial adviser, accountant or SMSF specialist before making decisions about your fund.