Did you know you can access your super to help towards P
paying for gender reassignment surgery
Release My Super can assist with applications for the release of superannuation savings to pay for transgender top surgery.
These applications are made under the compassionate release of super program and are subject to assessment by the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
If you have any questions with respect to paying for transgender surgery, contact Kathie Baker and the team at Release My Super on 1300 090 261
Release of Super for Transgender Surgery
If you are wanting to access superannuation savings for transgender surgery your application will likely be made under the ‘mental health’ provisions of the program.
The test to be satisfied is that you are suffering from an “acute or chronic mental illness” which will be beneficially treated by the completion of a recommended transgender surgery.
This requirement means that you will need the certification of medical practitioners regarding the surgery to be undertaken and its likely positive affect on your (mental) health.
You will require medical reports from a General Practitioner and Psychiatrist.
Access to Psychiatrists
Release My Super can provide access to psychiatrists, usually within 24 to 48 hours, to assist with your assessment.
The ATO website has been amended to require that “the registered medical specialist must be specialised in the area in which they are giving their opinion.”
If you apply for treatment of an acute or chronic mental illness, applications will require a medical report from a psychiatrist.
NB: Advice (02/08/21 from Australian Taxation Office states that from 30/09/2021 all applications submitted under mental health MUST have a psychiatric report.
The ATO will release superannuation on compassionate grounds if you:
- meet the eligibility requirements of the compassionate ground you’re applying for
- have not paid for the expense – they can only approve the compassionate release of superannuation to help you with unpaid If you have already paid the expense using a loan, a credit card or money borrowed from family or friends, you do not meet the eligibility requirements.
- can’t afford to pay the expenses without accessing your super e.g., by obtaining a loan or using your savings
- are a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand
- provide all required supporting evidence and invoices/quotes.
Rules for Release of Super
Rules and guidelines around accessing your superannuation for surgery have been put in place to make sure compassionate access to your superannuation is available. But the process can make it complicated for those wanting to release super for transgender treatment.
Release My Super can assist in the process and guide you towards the release of super to access treatment, subject to medical and psychiatric supporting evidence, and the approval of the ATO.
Transgender Top Surgery
If you are considering transgender surgery, there are specialist plastic surgeons in each State and Territory who understand the medical and social considerations of surgery.
These medical practices have excellent material for consideration on their websites, including high level tips and information such as: –
- Assessing yourself as a candidate for top surgery
- Hormone therapy and gender surgery
- Recovery and results, and
- Frequently asked questions
Release Super for Gender Reassignment Surgeries
Release My Super can assist with the submission of an application for the release of superannuation savings to pay for transgender top surgery.
These applications are made under the compassionate release of super program and are subject to assessment by the ATO.
If you have any questions with respect to paying for transgender surgery, contact Kathie Baker and the team at Release My Super on 1300 090 261.
