If you're 55 or older and sell your home, you may be able to put up to $300,000 of the proceeds into super, without it counting towards the contribution caps.

Reviewed 31/10/2026. General information only, not personal advice.

The eligibility rules

According to the ATO, you can make a downsizer contribution if:

• you're 55 or older when you make the contribution
• your home was owned by you and/or your spouse for 10 years or more before the sale
• the sale qualifies, fully or partly, for the main residence capital gains tax exemption (or would have, if the home was bought before 20 September 1985)
• you give your fund the Downsizer contribution into super form (NAT 75073) before or when you contribute
• you contribute within 90 days of receiving the sale proceeds, usually at settlement, unless the ATO grants an extension

You can contribute up to $300,000 each. For a couple, each eligible spouse can contribute up to $300,000, but the total can't exceed the sale proceeds. You can only make downsizer contributions from the sale of one home.

How it's treated

• Counts towards contribution caps: No, neither concessional nor non-concessional
• Counts towards your total super balance: Yes, when it's next calculated on 30 June
• Counts towards the transfer balance cap: Yes, if you later move it into a retirement phase pension
• Tax on the way in: No contributions tax

Watch the Age Pension

Your home is exempt from the Age Pension assets test, but money in super generally isn't once you reach Age Pension age. Selling your home and moving proceeds into super can reduce or stop your Age Pension, depending on your circumstances. Services Australia and Moneysmart have more information.

Questions to weigh up

• How much of the sale proceeds you'll need for your next home, or for living costs
• Whether contributing to super, or holding the money elsewhere, suits your plans better
• The effect on your Age Pension and other entitlements
• Whether a pension account is the right home for the money afterwards

Rules are from the ATO, current at the review date shown.

See what it means for you

Your initial discussion is free, and any advice fees are explained before you decide to go ahead. Book an initial discussion or call 07 3733 1731. Meet face to face in Eight Mile Plains, or online anywhere in Australia.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to buy a smaller home to make a downsizer contribution?

No. Despite the name, you don't have to buy a smaller home, or buy another home at all. You do have to meet the other eligibility rules.

Can my spouse make a downsizer contribution if the home was only in my name?

Yes. If only one spouse owned the home, the other spouse can also contribute, as long as the other conditions are met. Each eligible person can contribute up to $300,000.

Can I make a downsizer contribution if I'm still working?

Yes. There's no work test and no upper age limit for downsizer contributions.

Related reading

• Retirement Planning
• The Age Pension and your super
• Account-based pensions explained
• Salary sacrifice into super