Using Your Superannuation for Plastic Surgery

Thu 29th May 2025

IMPORTANT:

The information below is correct at the time of publishing; however, superannuation and taxation rules change, so we encourage you to do your own research and talk to your financial advisor before proceeding.
Dr Eddy Dona and his team do not actively encourage individuals to access their superannuation before retirement. The information provided here is not a substitute for financial advice. Instead, it is a basic guide for individuals who have a medical requirement for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery but do not have the necessary funds to finance the procedure. Before making any decision regarding superannuation, we encourage all individuals to seek financial advice from a trusted source, as early access to your superannuation funds can affect your retirement income and other taxation and insurance issues.

Your superannuation (super) is a savings fund for retirement. Money is put aside by your employer over your working life for you to live on when you retire and no longer work. However, it may be possible to access your super earlier than your retirement age if you require a necessary surgical procedure, such as plastic surgery for a medically related problem.

Superannuation for Plastic Surgery

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) allows early release of superannuation funds for medically necessary procedures (including plastic surgery), provided you have no other way of funding them. Importantly, you are not allowed to use the funds for surgery intended purely for cosmetic purposes.

While the process is possible, it is involved and requires some paperwork. Not all super funds allow early access to super, so you must check with your fund first. The funds must be specifically used to fund the medical procedures’ out-of-pocket expenses. Also, be aware that you’ll be required to pay tax on any superannuation released early, as it will be considered income.

Eligibility For Early Release Of Superannuation

To be eligible for early release of your superannuation on compassionate grounds, you must meet the following strict criteria outlined by the ATO:

You must be a permanent resident of Australia.
Your surgery has been deemed medically necessary by a general practitioner and a specialist surgeon and must not be for elective surgery only for cosmetic reasons.
You cannot finance the surgery in any other way due to your current financial situation.
The released funds can only be approved for financial expenses before your surgery.
You have provided all necessary documentation.

What Kind Of Plastic Surgery Can I Get With My Super?

Various plastic surgery procedures may be deemed a medical requirement, and hence qualify for early release of your super. Often, this process is particularly applicable to those who have experienced significant weight loss and are now suffering from medical problems due to excess skin and the problems associated with it, such as irritation, infections, rashes and mobility issues. Some women may have similar medical issues post-pregnancy. However, these are not the only procedures that may qualify for early super release.

Dr Dona performs the following surgical procedures that may qualify for the early release of your super:

Breast Reduction – due to excessively large breasts
Breast Implant Removal (Explant Surgery)
Breast Implant Replacement – due to significant problems with existing implants (strict conditions apply)
Body Contouring Surgery after Massive Weight Loss
- Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
- Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)
- Bra Lipectomy (Upper Body Lift)
- Belt Lipectomy (Lower Body Lift)
- Buttock Lift (Gluteal Lipectomy)
Post-Pregnancy Surgery – To address significant abdominal wall concerns (including diastasis recti and umbilical hernias)

Applying For Early Release Of Super For Surgery

STEP 1: Seek financial advice from an appropriately trained professional to understand the implications of accessing your superannuation before retirement. Issues such as retirement savings, taxation, insurance, family tax benefit and child support payments can all be affected. For more information regarding this, visit the ATO website here. >

STEP 2: Check with your superannuation fund to confirm that they will release superannuation funds early on compassionate grounds, and that you have enough to finance your procedure.

STEP 3: See your GP to discuss your medical issues, gain a referral to see a plastic surgeon and have your GP complete the required ‘early release forms’. These can be found on the ATO website or by applying online via the MyGov portal.

STEP 4: Have an Initial Consultation with your plastic surgeon to confirm the medical necessity of your condition and gain an itemised list of all expenses involved in your procedure. (This itemised list will be required for your application.) Your plastic surgeon must also complete the appropriate medical reports and evidence required for your application.

STEP 5: Submit your online application via the MyGov portal. To do this, you must have linked your ATO account to your MyGov account. Once you have logged in, go to the ATO portal and from the top navigation menu, go to Super/Manage/Compassionate Release. Follow the prompts to complete all details.

STEP 6: Allow time for the ATO to review your case. If they approve your request, they will notify your superannuation fund. Depending on your fund’s internal fund rules, they will decide whether to release the funds.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What medical reports and evidence are required for the early release of super?

To apply for the early release of your super on compassionate grounds for a plastic surgery procedure, you must submit two medical reports supporting your condition and health concerns:

A signed report from your GP.
A signed report from your plastic surgeon.

You must also submit an itemised quote from your plastic surgeon for your required procedure.

What are the tax implications of withdrawing from your Super to pay for Plastic Surgery?

Be aware that tax will be taken out as soon as your superannuation funds are released. Any time superannuation funds are withdrawn early, they are considered assessable income in that financial year. Individuals under sixty years are taxed anywhere between 17% and 22%.

References

ATO: Access on compassionate grounds – what you need to know

ATO https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/withdrawing-and-using-your-super/early-access-to-super/access-on-compassionate-grounds/access-on-compassionate-grounds-what-you-need-to-know

Dr Eddy Dona

Dr Eddy Dona (FRACS) is a Specialist Plastic Surgeons in Sydney, and a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Following his medical degree at the University of Sydney in 1996, Dr Dona then began a further 11 years of intensive training to become a Specialist Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon. Since starting private practice in 2007, Dr Dona has had patients from all over Australia seeking his expertise and specialist management. Dr Dona’s practice has grown and become heavily focused on breast and body reconstructive procedures, especially after massive weight loss including post-pregnancy. Despite running a busy private practice, Dr Dona spent the first 15 years of his specialist practice dedicating part of his time to one of Sydney’s largest teaching public hospitals, including training future plastic surgeons. This was where Dr Dona was often required to reconstruct the bodies of those affected by trauma and cancer.