ATO average for the 30-34 age band: $54,215.00; the middle person aged 30-49 holds $50,000 to $99,999.
Average projected to 67 at band-average salary: $962,780.00.
ASFA single comfortable target: $630,000.00.
Between 18 and 80. ASFA Retirement Standard anchors on age 67.
Sum of all your super accounts. Check myGov for an up-to-date total.
Used for SG projection. Defaults to the ATO average salary or wages for your age band.
Retirement target
ASFA Retirement Standard Dec 2025 quarter. Assumes home-owner and partial Age Pension.
Projected at 67 (37 yrs to go)$962,780.00
Single comfortable target$630,000.00
Surplus above target$332,780.00
ATO average balance (30-34)$54,215.00
Vs ATO average$0.00 above
Middle balance, ages 30-49$50,000 to $99,999
Where you sit39%–61% of people aged 30-49 have less
Assumptions: figures are in today's dollars, like the ASFA targets. Growth 7% p.a. after fees, ≈4.4% real after 2.5% inflation; salary held at today's value; SG 12% from 1 Jul 2025, contributions through to age 67, less 15% contributions tax on SG and salary sacrifice. Does not model concessional cap ($32,500.00 in 2026-27). The low income super tax offset is netted off the contributions tax when your salary does not exceed $37,000.
At 30, most Australians are juggling housing-deposit goals (HECS/HELP loans often still outstanding), possibly first-baby planning, and mortgage qualification. Super feels distant. But 37 years at 7% p.a. turns every $1,000 today into about $13,000 at 67 — the highest-leverage decade you will ever have.
Why the balance at 30 matters: Every $100/month you add at 30 becomes roughly $190,000 at 67 in nominal terms. The same $100/month started at 50 becomes $32,000. Time is the single biggest input you control.
Biggest lever at 30
First Home Super Saver (FHSS) — divert up to $15,000/year of voluntary contributions (capped at $50,000 lifetime) and pull them back out for a deposit, paying only 15% contributions tax instead of your marginal rate. Effectively boosts deposit savings by 10-25% depending on marginal rate.
Common traps at 30
Treating super as 'locked money for later' — it's taxed at 15% going in, which can be cheaper than your marginal rate right now.
Not consolidating multiple accounts from different employers — duplicate fees over 37 years destroy balance.
Ignoring insurance defaults — many 30-year-olds pay ~$400/yr premiums on TPD/life inside super they don't need yet.
The numbers at 30 — how the projection works
Your current age
30
Years to age 67 (ASFA anchor)
37
ATO average balance (30-34)
$54,215.00
Band-average salary or wages (ATO, 2023-24)
$76,873.00
SG at 12%, after 15% contributions tax (annual)
$7,841.00
Projected at 67 (average + SG only, today's dollars)
What is the average super balance at 30 in Australia?
For the 30-34 age band, the average balance in ATO Taxation Statistics 2023-24 is $54,215.00. A minority of very large balances pulls the average up. The ATO publishes no median by age, but its counts by balance range show the middle person aged 30-49 holds $50,000 to $99,999.
How much super should I have at 30?
No single answer — it depends on your target retirement lifestyle. On the calculator's assumptions, SG alone on the band-average salary ($76,873.00) reaches the ASFA single comfortable target of $630,000.00 by 67 even from a zero balance at 30. A lower salary, career breaks or lower returns raise that figure; try your own numbers above.
Is $54,215.00 enough at 30?
$54,215.00 is the ATO average for the 30-34 band. Projected forward to 67 at the band-average salary of $76,873.00, SG alone at 12% grows it to approximately $962,780.00. That's above the ASFA single comfortable target of $630,000.00 by $332,780.00. An average balance is tracking above target on these assumptions.
How do I catch up super at 30?
First Home Super Saver (FHSS) — divert up to $15,000/year of voluntary contributions (capped at $50,000 lifetime) and pull them back out for a deposit, paying only 15% contributions tax instead of your marginal rate. Effectively boosts deposit savings by 10-25% depending on marginal rate.
Should I salary sacrifice at 30?
Generally yes if your marginal tax rate is above 15%. With 37 years of compounding at 4.4% real, every $100 per month salary-sacrificed at 30 becomes roughly $90,668.00 at 67 in today's dollars, after contributions tax. Against a 15% contributions tax vs your likely 30% or 37% marginal rate, the pre-tax math alone saves $15-22 per $100 contributed, before compounding.
Is the calculator projection realistic?
It assumes 7% p.a. after fees and 2.5% inflation, so balances grow at about 4.4% real, and your salary stays at today's value. Every figure is in today's dollars, the same basis as the ASFA targets. The projection does not model market volatility, salary growth, career breaks or the concessional cap, so treat it as a planning anchor and try a lower balance or salary to stress-test it.
This calculator is an estimate tool and may not cover all personal circumstances. For state-based taxes, confirm details with your state or territory revenue office.
