How to Check Unused Concessional Contributions in myGov

If you want to use catch up concessional contributions, this is the first step.

You need to check two things:

• What the ATO thinks you have already contributed
• What unused concessional cap amounts you have available to carry forward

The good news is you can see both inside myGov.

The ATO labels this as “carry forward concessional contributions” in myGov.

Key takeaways

• You can check your unused concessional cap amounts in ATO online services through myGov.
• The carry forward screen shows unused amounts by year, within a rolling five year window.
• ATO data may lag because it depends on when your fund reports contributions.
• Your current year cap is used first. Once you exceed it, unused amounts get applied automatically, oldest year first.
• If you want to estimate how much you can contribute this year, start here: Catch Up Contributions Calculator

Quick reminder: what you are checking and why

Catch up concessional contributions let you contribute above the standard annual concessional cap by using unused cap space from earlier years.

To do that safely, you want to know:

1. Your unused concessional cap amounts available to carry forward
2. Your concessional contributions already recorded for the current year
3. Whether you meet the $500,000 total super balance test at 30 June of the prior financial year

It’s your total super balance at 30 June of the previous financial year.

If you want the full rule set, including eligibility and examples, read the pillar guide first: Catch up concessional contributions in Australia

Step by step: where to find your unused amounts in myGov

Step 1: Log in to myGov and open the ATO

Log in to myGov and open your linked Australian Taxation Office service.

If you have not linked the ATO service before, myGov will prompt you to link it.

Step 2: Go to the carry forward screen

Inside ATO online services, follow this path:

• Super
• Information
• Carry forward concessional contributions

This page shows your available unused concessional cap amounts by financial year.

It also reflects the rolling rule. You only keep unused amounts for up to five financial years before they expire.

Step 3: Check your concessional contributions history too

Now follow this path:

• Super
• Information
• Concessional contributions

This screen helps you keep track of contributions that count toward the concessional cap.

It is particularly useful if you:

• Have more than one super fund
• Changed jobs during the year
• Salary sacrifice
• Plan to claim a tax deduction for a personal contribution

For ATO guidance on what counts, timing, and caps, see: ATO: Concessional contributions cap

How to interpret the carry forward screen

The carry forward screen usually shows a list of financial years and an available amount for each year.

A few important points:

Your current year cap gets used first

This is the nuance most people miss.

Your concessional contributions count towards the current year cap first.

Only once you exceed the current year cap does the ATO apply your available unused cap amounts from earlier years, starting with the oldest available year.

That is why the carry forward amounts are described as being applied automatically once you exceed the cap, assuming you qualify.

The oldest available year gets used first

The ATO applies the oldest available unused cap amount first, before it applies newer years.

That matters because older years expire sooner.

If you are in 2025–26, unused amounts from 2019–20 have already expired if you did not use them by the end of 2024–25. Earlier years like 2018–19 dropped off earlier again.

If you want a clear expiry walkthrough with examples, read: Catch up concessional contributions expiry and the five year rule

Your eligibility still depends on total super balance

Even if the screen shows unused cap amounts, you can only use them if your total super balance was under $500,000 at 30 June of the previous financial year.

If you are not sure, the pillar guide explains the test in plain English: Catch up concessional contributions in Australia

Why myGov numbers might not match what you expect

This is common. It does not always mean something is wrong.

Reporting delays

ATO online services shows contributions based on when your fund reports them to the ATO. That means the numbers may not be up to date.

If you have made a recent contribution, or your employer has recently paid Super Guarantee, it may not appear immediately.

Timing differences

Contributions count towards the cap in the year your super fund receives them.

That can differ from:

• When the money left your bank account
• When payroll processed salary sacrifice
• When your employer says they paid it

The ATO also notes that an employer can pay Super Guarantee for the quarter ending 30 June by 28 July in the next financial year. That can shift which year a contribution counts in.

What to do after you check your unused amounts

Once you have your numbers, you have two practical next steps.

1) Estimate how much you can contribute this year

Use the calculator as a quick sanity check: Catch Up Contributions Calculator

2) Choose the contribution method that fits your situation

Most people use:

• Salary sacrifice through payroll
• A personal contribution they claim as a tax deduction
• A mix of both

If you plan to claim a tax deduction for a personal contribution, use this guide: Catch up concessional contributions and personal tax deductions

If you are worried you may go over the cap, read this first: What happens if you exceed concessional contributions?

Watch the 60 second walkthrough

If you prefer video, here is my short playlist covering carry forward concessional contributions: Carry Forward Concessional Super Contributions playlist

FAQs

Where do I find my unused concessional cap amounts in myGov?

Log in to myGov, open the ATO service, then go to Super, then Information, then Carry forward concessional contributions. This shows your available unused concessional cap amounts by financial year.

Why do myGov and my super fund show different contribution amounts?

ATO online services relies on when your fund reports contributions to the ATO, so it may not be up to date. Contributions also count towards a cap in the year your super fund receives them, which can differ from when they leave your bank account or payroll.

Do I automatically use my unused concessional cap amounts?

Yes. Once your concessional contributions exceed your current year cap, the ATO applies your available unused cap amounts automatically, starting with the oldest available year, as long as you meet the eligibility rules.