Accessing Superannuation

Given the health problems and reduced life expectancy associated with obesity, you may be able to access your superannuation to fund the costs of weight loss surgery, regardless of your age or whether you have health insurance.

Eligibility

If you are undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, and you have inadequate means of funding the surgery, you may apply to the ATO to access your superannuation on compassionate grounds. The amount of super you can withdraw is limited to what you reasonably need.

Process

Once you have a date for surgery, we will prepare and supply you with an ATO Compassionate release of superannuation form, our quote and a letter confirming your suitability for weight loss surgery, all signed by your surgeon.

You will then need to take the following steps:

1. See your GP to obtain:
   1. A letter of support on their letterhead
   2. Another ATO Compassionate release of superannuation form, to be completed and signed by your GP
2. Contact the Hospital to obtain their quote – you may need to quote an item number (e.g. 31575 for sleeve gastrectomy)
3. Contact the Anaesthetist to obtain their quote – you may need to quote item number (e.g. 31575 for sleeve gastrectomy)
4. Make your application to the ATO, which must be done online. The application form is accessed via your myGov account linked to ATO online services. From the ATO online services homepage, select the heading option ‘Super’, then ‘Manage’, then ‘Compassionate Release of Super’. You will need to complete the form and upload all the above information required.
5. Contact your superannuation fund to advise them you are going through this process and find out what they require to enable early release of funds – they will need you to send them the original ATO approval letter (once you have it), together with a signed request from you, before they will release any funds to your bank account for surgery.

The process, including time taken for your super fund to release the funds to you, typically takes 2-6 weeks in total.

You can also see the broader typical surgery process here.

Got a question?

If you have any questions about accessing superannuation to fund weight loss surgery, please let our experienced staff know when arranging your consultation or let us know in the form below.
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