Retirement
Rest members back calls for fairer superannuation rules ahead of Federal Budget
Retirement
Rest members back calls for fairer superannuation rules ahead of Federal Budget
Rest has called on the Federal Government to implement superannuation reforms aimed at improving fairness across the system, after member survey results showed strong support for a range of proposed policy changes.
Rest members back calls for fairer superannuation rules ahead of Federal Budget
Rest has called on the Federal Government to implement superannuation reforms aimed at improving fairness across the system, after member survey results showed strong support for a range of proposed policy changes.
Research commissioned by the industry super fund found significant backing for reforms recommended in its 2025–26 Pre-Budget Submission. The survey, conducted by Redbridge Group, received responses from more than 1,000 Rest members aged 18 and over.
According to the findings, 71 per cent supported extending superannuation to all workers under 18, regardless of the hours they work, while only 5 per cent opposed the idea. A similar proportion supported introducing superannuation credits for carers, with only 3 per cent opposed.
Updating the Low Income Super Tax Offset (LISTO) also received strong backing, with 77 per cent of respondents in favour of making it fairer for low-income workers. Meanwhile, 80 per cent supported changing inheritance rules to prevent family violence perpetrators from receiving their victim’s superannuation benefits.
Rest’s chief strategy and corporate affairs officer Tyrone O’Neill said the results showed the public was open to changes that would improve equity within the retirement system.
“Rest represents over 2 million Australians, including around 1.2 million women and 1 million workers under the age of 30,” Mr O’Neill said.
“This is equivalent to one-in-seven working Australians – a sizeable segment of the labour force – expressing support for fairer and more equitable super.”
Rest’s top policy priority is extending the Superannuation Guarantee to under-18 workers, including those working fewer than 30 hours a week. Mr O’Neill urged the Government to commit to the reform in the upcoming Budget, suggesting it include a multi-year implementation plan with consultation and transition periods for employers.
“The current rules are unfair and disadvantaging young Australian workers,” he said.
The fund is also advocating for progress on financial advice reforms, a review into superannuation carer credits, and further measures to improve retirement outcomes.
Additional recommendations in Rest’s submission include raising LISTO thresholds, introducing data-sharing frameworks between government and super funds, developing a First Nations Retirement Strategy, and implementing policy settings to encourage institutional investment in housing.
Rest is also calling for more clarity on the sustainable finance agenda and emissions reduction targets to help guide long-term investment decisions.
RELATED ARTICLES
Superannuation
Payday super legislation promises fairer retirement for part-time and casual workers
In a landmark development for the Australian workforce, the recently passed Payday Super legislation is set to transform the retirement landscape for countless part-time and casual workersRead more
Superannuation
Payday Super passes as Employment Hero, OZEDI and Zepto unite to help small businesses meet new seven-day payment rule
With the Payday Superannuation Bill officially passing through Parliament, Australian businesses are now less than eight months away from a major shift in how superannuation contributions are made — ...Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super appoints Simon Warner as Chief Investment Officer
Aware Super has announced the appointment of Simon Warner as Chief Investment Officer, effective 1 December 2025, following a competitive global search to replace outgoing CIO Damian Graham, who ...Read more
Superannuation
Employers call for pragmatic safeguards to ensure Payday Super reform succeeds
Employment Hero chief executive Ben Thompson has urged the federal government to introduce a phased rollout and reciprocal safeguards to support small businesses as the Payday Super reform approaches ...Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super elevates tech leadership with strategic appointment of Richard Exton
Aware Super, one of Australia's largest industry super funds, has announced a pivotal appointment to its executive team, underscoring the growing importance of technology, data, and artificial ...Read more
Superannuation
Rest appoints Marina Pasika as interim head of private markets
Rest, one of Australia's largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has announced the appointment of Marina Pasika as the Interim Head of Private Markets. This decision comes as the fund embarks ...Read more
Superannuation
Payday Super bill introduces new challenges for SMBs, reveals Employment Hero CEO
The introduction of the Payday Super bill to the Australian Parliament has sparked a significant response from the business community, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)Read more
Superannuation
Rest urges Parliament to expedite payday super legislation
In a significant move towards enhancing retirement outcomes for Australian workers, Rest, one of the country's largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has expressed strong support for the ...Read more
Superannuation
Payday super legislation promises fairer retirement for part-time and casual workers
In a landmark development for the Australian workforce, the recently passed Payday Super legislation is set to transform the retirement landscape for countless part-time and casual workersRead more
Superannuation
Payday Super passes as Employment Hero, OZEDI and Zepto unite to help small businesses meet new seven-day payment rule
With the Payday Superannuation Bill officially passing through Parliament, Australian businesses are now less than eight months away from a major shift in how superannuation contributions are made — ...Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super appoints Simon Warner as Chief Investment Officer
Aware Super has announced the appointment of Simon Warner as Chief Investment Officer, effective 1 December 2025, following a competitive global search to replace outgoing CIO Damian Graham, who ...Read more
Superannuation
Employers call for pragmatic safeguards to ensure Payday Super reform succeeds
Employment Hero chief executive Ben Thompson has urged the federal government to introduce a phased rollout and reciprocal safeguards to support small businesses as the Payday Super reform approaches ...Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super elevates tech leadership with strategic appointment of Richard Exton
Aware Super, one of Australia's largest industry super funds, has announced a pivotal appointment to its executive team, underscoring the growing importance of technology, data, and artificial ...Read more
Superannuation
Rest appoints Marina Pasika as interim head of private markets
Rest, one of Australia's largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has announced the appointment of Marina Pasika as the Interim Head of Private Markets. This decision comes as the fund embarks ...Read more
Superannuation
Payday Super bill introduces new challenges for SMBs, reveals Employment Hero CEO
The introduction of the Payday Super bill to the Australian Parliament has sparked a significant response from the business community, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)Read more
Superannuation
Rest urges Parliament to expedite payday super legislation
In a significant move towards enhancing retirement outcomes for Australian workers, Rest, one of the country's largest profit-to-member superannuation funds, has expressed strong support for the ...Read more
