# Average Super Balance by Age in Australia (2026-27)

Source: https://calculatax.com/super/super-balance-by-age/
Title: Average Super Balance by Age in Australia (2026-27)
Last updated: 2026-11-07

Super balance by age figures come from the [ATO individuals statistics for 2023-24](https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/research-and-statistics/in-detail/taxation-statistics/taxation-statistics-2023-24/statistics-in-taxation-statistics-2023-24/individuals-statistics-for-taxation-statistics-2023-24), which give medians by age and sex. At 60 to 64, the average was **$413,700 for men** and $327,440 for women, and the median was $236,126 and $174,655. Across all ages, it was $71,914 and $57,688.

| Age group | Median, men | Median, women | Gap (men minus women) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | $408 | $238 | $170 |
| 18 to 24 | $6,380 | $5,784 | $596 |
| 25 to 29 | $21,742 | $21,048 | $694 |
| 30 to 34 | $42,962 | $38,070 | $4,892 |
| 35 to 39 | $78,289 | $61,022 | $17,267 |
| 40 to 44 | $116,076 | $85,804 | $30,272 |
| 45 to 49 | $154,751 | $110,864 | $43,887 |
| 50 to 54 | $192,196 | $134,309 | $57,887 |
| 55 to 59 | $220,560 | $154,732 | $65,828 |
| 60 to 64 | $236,126 | $174,655 | $61,471 |
| 65 to 69 | $230,766 | $207,187 | $23,579 |
| 70 to 74 | $227,027 | $228,978 | Women $1,951 higher |
| 75 and over | $200,477 | $195,201 | $5,276 |

*Median super balance by age and sex, 2023-24. Only people with a balance or contributions above zero. Source: ATO taxation statistics 2023-24, Snapshot Table 5.*

> Figures checked 6 November 2026 against the ATO's Snapshot Table 5 on data.gov.au. The all-ages totals match the table on the ATO's own page.

Your own balance depends on when you started work, your pay, time out of the workforce and your fund's returns. The [superannuation](https://calculatax.com/super/) section covers how contributions and tax work.

## Why the median sits below the average

The average adds every balance and divides by the number of people. The median is the middle balance when everyone is lined up from smallest to largest.

A few very large balances pull the average up but barely move the median. Take five hypothetical balances: $20,000, $40,000, $60,000, $80,000 and $800,000. The average is $200,000, yet the median is $60,000, and four of the five people hold less than the average.

Super balances are skewed the same way. The ATO's state figures show how far apart the two measures sit.

| State or territory | Average, men | Median, men | Average, women | Median, women |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | $209,685 | $71,194 | $171,624 | $58,927 |
| Victoria | $208,038 | $70,547 | $168,188 | $57,969 |
| Queensland | $195,863 | $73,624 | $159,847 | $57,572 |
| Western Australia | $195,457 | $76,323 | $144,362 | $52,574 |
| South Australia | $198,025 | $76,381 | $168,067 | $65,960 |
| Tasmania | $190,653 | $76,829 | $157,088 | $63,807 |
| Australian Capital Territory | $262,761 | $96,275 | $233,532 | $90,262 |
| Northern Territory | $145,399 | $49,340 | $123,486 | $41,905 |

*Average and median super balance by state and sex, 2023-24. Source: ATO taxation statistics 2023-24, Snapshot Table 5.*

In every state and territory, the average for men is about 2.5 to 3 times the median. For most people the median is the better comparison. If you sit above the median for your age group, at least half of the people that age with super hold less than you.

### Average super balance by age

The ATO's chart shows medians by age, and the data behind it also gives averages. They run well above the medians from the mid-30s on.

| Age group | Average, men | Average, women |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | $8,465 | $5,291 |
| 18 to 24 | $10,353 | $9,204 |
| 25 to 29 | $29,044 | $26,569 |
| 30 to 34 | $58,461 | $49,446 |
| 35 to 39 | $101,642 | $80,647 |
| 40 to 44 | $150,305 | $117,067 |
| 45 to 49 | $206,484 | $158,331 |
| 50 to 54 | $271,498 | $205,029 |
| 55 to 59 | $341,115 | $260,199 |
| 60 to 64 | $413,700 | $327,440 |
| 65 to 69 | $466,600 | $407,328 |
| 70 to 74 | $516,393 | $468,678 |
| 75 and over | $562,305 | $484,818 |

*Average super balance by age and sex, 2023-24. Only people with a balance or contributions above zero. Source: ATO taxation statistics 2023-24, Snapshot Table 5.*

## The gap between men's and women's balances

The ATO publishes balances by sex, counting everyone with a balance or contributions above zero. The gap across all ages in 2023-24 looks like this.

- **$38,438**: Average gap (Men $202,644, women $164,206)
- **$14,226**: Median gap (Men $71,914, women $57,688)

By age, the median gap is small in the 20s ($694 at 25 to 29) and widens from the mid-30s. It peaks at $65,828 at 55 to 59, where the women's median is 30% lower. From 70 the medians are close, with women $1,951 ahead at 70 to 74.

Pay creates some of the gap. ABS full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings for May 2026 were $2,181.00 for men and $1,934.50 for women, or $113,412 and $100,594 over a year. At 12% super guarantee (SG), the difference is $1,538.16 of employer super every year, before any investment growth.

Time out of the workforce can add more. In our illustration below, a five-year break from 32 to 37 lowers the balance at 67 by $138,184 at today's prices. Working three days a week (60%) from 32 to 42 lowers it by $101,675.

## Benchmarks at 30, 40, 50 and 60

There's no official target balance for each age. This table is an illustration of what steady full-time work could build, so you can compare your own figure.

| Age | Median full-time earnings ($90,532 a year) | Median earnings, all employees ($74,100 a year) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | $81,724 | $66,891 |
| 40 | $221,948 | $181,663 |
| 50 | $420,915 | $344,517 |
| 60 | $703,237 | $575,596 |
| 67 | $968,624 | $792,814 |

*Illustration at today's prices, not ATO data. Salaries from ABS median weekly earnings, August 2025 ($1,741 full-time; $1,425 all employees) × 52. Assumptions below.*

Actual balances sit well below the illustration. At 40 to 44, the ATO median was $116,076 for men and $85,804 for women, against $221,948 in the full-time illustration at 40. The median includes part-time work, career breaks and years of lower SG.

### The assumptions behind the illustration

It starts work at 22 with no super. Pay rises with inflation of 2.5%, so it stays level at today's prices. SG is 12% every year, less 15% contributions tax, and contributions land at the end of each year.

Returns are 7% a year after tax on earnings, less 0.85% fees. These are assumptions, the same return and fee defaults as the [super calculator](https://calculatax.com/super/super-calculator/), which projects your own balance from today.

SG was lower than 12% for most of the careers of people now in their 50s and 60s, so their real balances would trail the table.

Fees also separate people with similar careers. In the same full-time illustration, paying 1% a year instead of 0.5% leaves $931,594 at 67 rather than $1,061,852. That's $130,258 less at today's prices, from fees alone.

## Catching up: carry-forward contributions and the co-contribution

Two rules can help people who are behind. Carry-forward contributions let you use unused concessional cap amounts from earlier years, and the government co-contribution adds up to $500.

The concessional contributions cap is $32,500 for 2026-27. If you used less in earlier years, you may be able to contribute more than $32,500 this year. Your total super balance must have been under $500,000 at the previous 30 June. The ATO's [concessional contributions cap page](https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/growing-and-keeping-track-of-your-super/caps-limits-and-tax-on-super-contributions/concessional-contributions-cap) says you can use unused amounts from up to 5 earlier years, and each amount expires after 5 years.

The co-contribution pays 50 cents per $1 of after-tax contributions, up to $500. The full amount is available up to $49,293 of total income in 2026-27 and phases out at $64,293. The [super co-contribution calculator](https://calculatax.com/super/co-contribution-calculator/) works it out for your income.

- [Retirement income calculator](https://calculatax.com/super/retirement-income-calculator/): how long a balance could last.

## Super balance questions: age 30, retirement and how much to contribute

### How much super should I have at 30?

There's no official target. The ATO median for people aged 30 to 34 was $42,962 for men and $38,070 for women in 2023-24. As an illustration, someone on median full-time earnings of $90,532 who started work at 22 would hold about $81,724 at 30, at today's prices.

### How much super should my employer pay?

Your employer must pay at least 12% of your qualifying earnings in 2026-27. On median full-time earnings of $90,532, that's $10,863.84 a year. Under Payday Super, it's generally due in your fund within 7 business days after each payday. Your fund then deducts 15% contributions tax.

### What is the average super balance at retirement?

In 2023-24 the average at 60 to 64 was $413,700 for men and $327,440 for women, and at 65 to 69 it was $466,600 and $407,328. The medians at those ages were much lower: $236,126 and $174,655, then $230,766 and $207,187. Across all ages, the average ($182,781) is nearly three times the median ($63,339).

### How much super should I contribute if I am self-employed?

If you don't have an employer paying SG for you, any super is voluntary. Contributions you claim as a tax deduction count towards the $32,500 concessional cap for 2026-27. As a reference point, 12% of $90,532 median full-time earnings is $10,863.84 a year. The amount that suits you depends on your income and other savings.

*Estimates only, based on published rates for 2026-27. General information, not tax or financial advice.*

## Sources

- [ATO: Taxation statistics 2023-24, individuals statistics](https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/research-and-statistics/in-detail/taxation-statistics/taxation-statistics-2023-24/statistics-in-taxation-statistics-2023-24/individuals-statistics-for-taxation-statistics-2023-24)
- [ABS: Average Weekly Earnings, Australia, May 2026](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/earnings-and-working-conditions/average-weekly-earnings-australia/latest-release)
- [ABS: Employee Earnings, August 2025](https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/earnings-and-working-conditions/employee-earnings/latest-release)
- [ATO: Super guarantee](https://www.ato.gov.au/tax-rates-and-codes/key-superannuation-rates-and-thresholds/super-guarantee)
- [ATO: Concessional contributions cap](https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/growing-and-keeping-track-of-your-super/caps-limits-and-tax-on-super-contributions/concessional-contributions-cap)