End-of-Year Money Moves for Australians (2025)
End-of-Year Money Moves for Australians (2025)
Published: 25 November 2025 • Read time: 10–12 minutes
Year-end is a high-leverage window to tidy accounts, lock in deductions, and reset your plan for 2026. This checklist prioritises actions most Australians can use: super contributions, deductible payments, Medicare Levy Surcharge checks, capital gains tax planning, insurance reviews, and a simple 2026 budget setup. Confirm current ATO thresholds and product terms before acting.
1) Maximise super contributions
Superannuation is often the most tax-effective lever available. As at 2025, concessional contributions (before-tax) generally include employer SG, salary sacrifice, and personal deductible contributions. Non-concessional (after-tax) contributions can top up wealth for long-term goals. Check your room under the annual caps and any carry-forward eligibility before contributing. Consider:
- Salary sacrifice now: Ask payroll to add pre-tax amounts for remaining pay cycles.
- Personal deductible contribution: Contribute from savings, then lodge a Notice of intent with your fund and receive acknowledgement before lodging your return.
- Spouse contributions / splitting: Potential tax offset and better household balance across accounts.
- Non-concessional with bring-forward: For longer horizons and within ATO rules.
Action: Confirm contribution caps and deadlines with your fund. Review insurance settings before adding large amounts.
2) Prepay deductible expenses
Bringing forward expenses can pull deductions into this financial year. Typical examples:
- Income protection premiums (if held outside super).
- Work-related expenses you pay personally and use to earn assessable income.
- Investment loan interest (where prepayment is allowed by the lender).
- Professional membership fees and union fees.
Claim only the work/income-producing portion, keep receipts for five years, and avoid double-claiming if reimbursements apply.
3) Charitable giving (DGR)
Donations to Deductible Gift Recipients (DGR) are generally tax-deductible. Year-end is a good time to align giving with tax planning:
- Check DGR status before donating.
- Keep official receipts with ABN and date.
- Consider recurring donations that cross financial years if you manage taxable income bands.
4) Private health & Medicare Levy Surcharge
If your income exceeds the MLS threshold, eligible hospital cover can help you avoid the surcharge (extras-only does not). Check:
- Current income estimate vs threshold for singles or families.
- Hospital policy status for the full year.
- Waiting periods and policy tier; avoid last-minute surprises.
5) Capital gains tax (CGT) housekeeping
Review realised and unrealised gains. Consider loss harvesting to offset gains, respecting wash-sale rules and long-term investment plans. If you hold assets for 12+ months, individual investors may be eligible for the 50% CGT discount on gains. Document cost base, brokerage, and corporate actions now, not after 30 June.
6) Boost savings and reduce expensive debts
- Direct bonuses and tax refunds to your emergency fund or high-interest debts.
- Automate transfers to high-interest savings or mortgage offset to reduce interest.
- Consolidate only if it lowers your rate and you will not re-spend on cleared limits.
7) Insurance, beneficiaries, and emergency fund
Year-end is ideal to update protection settings:
- Super-held insurance: Check TPD, death, and income protection levels and premiums.
- Nominate beneficiaries: Refresh binding nominations on your super fund.
- Emergency fund: Top up to 3–6 months of essentials in a high-interest savings or offset account.
8) Set your 2026 budget and automation
- Run a 15-minute audit: Scan subscriptions, utilities, telco, and insurance. Downgrade or switch where value is poor.
- Define three targets: Emergency fund, debt payoff date, investment contribution rate.
- Automate: Schedule payday transfers to savings/investing, set bill alerts, and enable card controls.
- Quarterly review: Calendar a 30-minute check-in to re-balance and correct drift.
Year-end checklist (printable)
- Confirm super caps and lodge any salary sacrifice changes.
- Consider personal deductible contribution and lodge notice of intent.
- Prepay eligible deductions (income protection, professional fees, investment interest).
- Donate to DGR charities and file receipts.
- Check private hospital cover for MLS exposure.
- Review CGT; harvest losses sensibly; document cost bases.
- Route windfalls to emergency fund or high-interest debt.
- Update insurance levels and beneficiaries (inside and outside super).
- Set 2026 goals and automation; schedule quarterly reviews.
Tools to finish the year strong
Compare super funds · Find a high-interest savings account · Check hospital cover
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you sign up through our links. This does not affect our comparisons.
FAQs
Do I act by 31 December or 30 June?
Australia’s tax year runs 1 July–30 June. Most tax moves affect your 2025–26 return if done by 30 June 2026. Use December to plan and set automation; confirm exact deadlines with providers and the ATO.
Are salary sacrifice and personal deductible contributions the same?
Both are concessional, but salary sacrifice is arranged via payroll, while personal deductible contributions are paid by you and require a notice to your fund.
Is it worth loss harvesting?
Only if consistent with your investment plan and not a wash sale. Document the rationale and costs.
Where should I keep my emergency fund?
High-interest savings or a mortgage offset for homeowners. Keep access smooth via PayID, but separate from everyday spending.
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