Quick Answer: Yes — Australians can access their superannuation early to pay for dental treatment under the ATO’s Compassionate Release of Superannuation (CRS) scheme. To qualify, the treatment must address acute or chronic dental pain, you must be unable to fund it through other means, and two registered practitioners must certify the medical necessity. In 2024–25, the ATO approved 34,050 applications totalling $817.6 million — making dental the single largest category of compassionate super release in Australia.
What is the dental superannuation scheme?
Australia’s superannuation system is designed primarily for retirement savings. However, in specific circumstances you can access your super early under what the ATO calls the Compassionate Release of Superannuation (CRS) scheme.
Dental treatment is one of the approved grounds for early access. The right to access superannuation on compassionate grounds — including for critical dental and medical care — has been written into Australian superannuation law since the mid-1990s.
What has changed dramatically in recent years is the volume of Australians using it. Dental care is now the largest single category of compassionate super release in Australia — ahead of IVF, weight loss surgery, and all other medical treatments combined. This reflects a genuine gap in the dental funding landscape: Medicare does not cover most adult dental treatment, private health fund limits are often insufficient for major procedures, and more Australians are turning to their own superannuation as the only practical way to afford the care they need.
How much super are Australians accessing for dental?
The numbers are large — and growing rapidly:
| Financial Year | Approved amount | Applications approved | Year-on-year change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | $313.4 million | ~16,000 | — |
| 2023–24 | $526.4 million | 22,530 | +68% |
| 2024–25 | $817.6 million | 34,050 | +55% |
In 2024–25, the ATO received 47,630 applications for early release to pay for dental treatment. Of those, 34,050 were approved, which amounted to $817.6 million.
Dental treatment now makes up 58% of the $1.42 billion withdrawn from superannuation accounts in 2024–25 under the compassionate release scheme, and more than $2.1 billion has been withdrawn to pay for dental treatment since 2018–19.
The average amount withdrawn per person is now $24,889 — reflecting the cost of major procedures including dental implants, full-arch restorations, and extensive gum disease treatment.
Important: 30% of dental super applications are rejected by the ATO for not meeting compassionate release requirements. The most common reasons for rejection are incomplete clinical documentation or reports that do not clearly establish the acute or chronic nature of the patient’s condition. This is why choosing a clinic experienced in preparing ATO documentation makes a significant difference to your application outcome.
Am I eligible to use my super for dental treatment?
To access superannuation early for dental treatment under the CRS scheme, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Residency You must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or a permanent Australian resident.
- Medical necessity To be approved, the services need to be certified by two practitioners as necessary to alleviate acute or chronic pain, to treat a life-threatening illness or injury, or to alleviate acute or chronic mental illness.
- Acute means a rapidly progressing condition causing significant pain and suffering
- Chronic means a condition lasting at least three months causing ongoing pain
- No alternative funding You must demonstrate that you are unable to afford the treatment through savings, loans, or other available funds.
- Unpaid expense The dental bill must be currently unpaid, or recently paid using borrowed funds taken out specifically for the treatment.
- Super fund membership You or an immediate family member must hold a superannuation account with sufficient balance.
Meeting these criteria makes you eligible to apply — the ATO then assesses each application individually before making a decision.
Need a clinical assessment and ATO-ready treatment plan? Our dentists at RS Dental Springvale and Abbotsford can assess your dental condition and prepare the documentation required for your super release application. Book a same-day appointment →
Which dental treatments qualify for super release?
The treatment must address a genuine medical need — not be elective or cosmetic in nature. Treatments that commonly qualify include:
- Dental implants Where missing teeth are causing pain, infection, chronic difficulty eating, or significant functional impairment. This is the most common treatment for which Australians access compassionate super release.
- Wisdom tooth extraction Where an impacted or partially erupted wisdom tooth is causing acute or chronic pain. Read our guide on swollen gum around wisdom tooth to understand when extraction is recommended.
- Root canal treatment For infected or abscessed teeth causing severe acute pain.
- Dental crowns Where a broken or severely decayed tooth is causing acute pain that cannot be managed conservatively.
- Full or partial dentures Where significant tooth loss is causing chronic pain or inability to eat normally.
- Periodontal (gum disease) treatment Including deep cleaning and surgical intervention for advanced gum disease causing chronic pain, bleeding, or tooth mobility. Learn more about gum disease treatment at RS Dental.
- Emergency dental treatment For acute dental injuries causing significant pain and requiring urgent care.
- Treatments that do not qualify: Purely cosmetic veneers, teeth whitening, elective orthodontics where there is no pain or medical necessity, and cosmetic implant placements where the missing tooth is causing no functional problems.
There is anecdotal evidence of some unscrupulous practitioners actively advertising that anyone can access super to fund cosmetic work on social media. This is against the spirit and guidelines of the ATO rules for accessing super, and the broader ethics of our profession. Richmond & Springvale Dental Group only prepares documentation for treatments that genuinely meet the ATO’s eligibility criteria.
Can I use my super for dental implants?
Yes — dental implants are the most common treatment for which Australians access compassionate super release, and the numbers are growing significantly year on year.
Implants qualify when the missing tooth or teeth are causing acute or chronic pain, infection, difficulty eating, or other significant functional impairment. A purely cosmetic implant for an asymptomatic gap would not qualify — but in the majority of implant cases, there is a genuine medical need the ATO recognises.
If you are considering dental implants and are concerned about the cost, compassionate super release is one of the most significant funding pathways available to Australians — particularly for:
- Single implants replacing a failed, infected, or extracted tooth causing pain
- Multiple implants following significant tooth loss affecting eating and quality of life
- All-on-4 or All-on-6 restorations for patients with extensive tooth loss causing chronic pain and difficulty eating
- Implant-retained dentures where existing dentures are causing chronic sore spots or dysfunction
For a full breakdown of dental implant costs in Melbourne, read our dental implant cost Australia guide.
Considering dental implants? RS Dental provides fixed-price implant treatment plans and can prepare your ATO documentation at your consultation. Book an implant consultation →
How to apply — step-by-step guide
Step 1 — See your dentist for a full assessment
Before applying, you need a confirmed diagnosis, treatment plan, and itemised ADA item number quote from your dentist. At RS Dental, we can provide all required documentation as part of your consultation.
Step 2 — Obtain two clinical reports
The ATO requires supporting reports from two registered practitioners. For dental treatment, this typically means:
- One report from a registered dentist or dental specialist
- One report from a registered medical practitioner (GP), confirming the medical necessity
Both must certify the treatment is necessary to alleviate acute or chronic pain and that it is not readily available through the public health system.
Step 3 — Apply via myGov
You can apply online or on a paper form for early release on compassionate grounds. From the ATO online services home page, select the heading option Super, then Manage, then Compassionate release of super.
Important — updated forms: From 17 November 2025, the online and paper CRS application forms have been updated. If you’re applying by paper form, please use the new version. Old paper forms received on or after 17 November may be cancelled, and you’ll need to reapply using the updated form.
Attach to your application:
- Both clinical reports
- Your dentist’s itemised treatment quote
- Evidence that you cannot fund the treatment through other means (bank statements, loan rejection letters)
Step 4 — ATO assessment
The ATO reviews your application and contacts you if additional information is needed. Processing typically takes several weeks. You cannot expedite processing by calling — the ATO cannot process applications over the phone, but can answer questions on 13 10 20.
Step 5 — Approval and payment
If approved, the ATO releases funds from your super fund directly to you. You are required to use those funds solely for the dental treatment stated in your application.
What documents does my dentist need to provide?
Your dentist’s report must include:
- Your confirmed dental diagnosis
- A clear description of the acute or chronic pain or medical condition
- Why the treatment is medically necessary
- Why the treatment is not readily available through the public health system
- An itemised quote with ADA item codes and individual costs
- Confirmation that conservative management has been attempted or is not appropriate
The ATO relies on medical and dental professionals to act in the best interests of their patients to prepare accurate reports regarding their diagnoses and the required treatment strategy. Inaccurate or exaggerated reports put both the patient’s application and the dentist’s registration at risk.
At RS Dental’s Springvale and Abbotsford clinics, our dentists are familiar with the ATO’s documentation requirements and can prepare the required clinical report and itemised quote as part of your treatment planning appointment.
How much can I access from my super?
The ATO approves the amount needed to cover the actual cost of the specific treatment in your itemised quote — there is no fixed maximum. You can only access the amount justified by the treatment you have applied for.
General Melbourne cost ranges for commonly approved treatments:
| Treatment | Typical cost range (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Single dental implant (post + crown) | $5,000 – $7,500 |
| Multiple implants | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| All-on-4 full arch restoration | $15,000 – $38,000 |
| Wisdom tooth surgical extraction | $800 – $2,000 |
| Root canal + crown | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Full dentures | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| Major periodontal treatment | $2,000 – $6,000 |
The average amount approved per person across all dental applications in 2024–25 was $24,889. If your treatment plan changes after approval, a new application may be required for the additional amount.
For RS Dental’s specific treatment pricing, book a consultation for a fixed-price treatment plan.
Using super for dental treatment at RS Dental Melbourne
At RS Dental’s Springvale and Abbotsford clinics, we work with patients navigating the ATO compassionate super release process regularly. Here is how we can help:
- Thorough clinical assessment and confirmed diagnosis A clear, accurate diagnosis is the foundation of a successful ATO application. Our dentists take the time to assess your condition thoroughly and document it in the way the ATO requires.
- ATO-compliant clinical reports and itemised quotes We prepare detailed clinical reports and ADA item number quotes that meet the ATO’s documentation standards — giving your application the best chance of approval.
- Guidance on the application process We can explain what the ATO requires at each step and what supporting evidence to include, so your application is complete and accurate from the start.
- Flexible timing around your application We understand ATO applications take several weeks to process. We can schedule your treatment to begin once approval is received — there is no pressure to proceed before you are ready.
- Same-day consultations for urgent cases If you are in acute dental pain and need an urgent assessment — including for ATO documentation purposes — we offer same-day appointments at both clinics.
Book a consultation at RS Dental →
Springvale: (03) 9558 5756 | Abbotsford: (03) 9428 9102
Other payment options to consider
Compassionate super release is not the only way to manage the cost of major dental treatment. These options can be used alongside or instead of super access, depending on your situation:
- Private health insurance Many private health funds contribute toward major dental treatment annually. RS Dental is a preferred provider with Medibank, Bupa, HCF, and NIB — which may reduce your out-of-pocket costs significantly.
- Dental payment plans RS Dental offers flexible payment options including Afterpay (up to $2,000), Humm (up to $30,000), and zipMoney — allowing you to spread the cost of treatment over weekly, fortnightly, or monthly instalments.
- Victorian Government dental schemes Eligible Victorians — including pensioners, healthcare card holders, and DVA card holders — may qualify for subsidised or free dental treatment. Read our full government dental scheme guide.
Combining super release with private health insurance and a payment plan is possible — the ATO only requires that the remaining out-of-pocket cost is unpaid and cannot be funded through other means.
Important disclaimer
RS Dental provides dental treatment and the clinical documentation required for ATO compassionate super release applications. We are not licensed financial advisers and cannot advise on the financial implications of accessing your superannuation early.
Accessing super early permanently reduces your retirement savings and their compound growth over time. Dentists must encourage patients to seek independent financial advice due to the potential long-term financial impacts of early superannuation access.
We strongly recommend consulting a licensed financial adviser before applying. The Australian Dental Association has also released updated guidelines for both patients and dentists on the compassionate release of superannuation — available at teeth.org.au.
The ATO and AHPRA have joined forces to stamp out business models and inappropriate practices that seek to use superannuation to pay for overly expensive or unnecessary medical treatments. RS Dental only prepares documentation for treatments that genuinely meet the ATO’s eligibility criteria. We will always present all treatment options and their costs before recommending a particular course of action.
For information on the ATO application process, visit ato.gov.au or call the ATO on 13 10 20.
Concerned about the cost of dental treatment in Melbourne?
At Richmond & Springvale Dental Group, we believe cost should never be the reason someone goes without the dental care they need. With convenient locations in Abbotsford and Springvale, our experienced team can assess your eligibility for super release, prepare your ATO documentation, and find a payment pathway that works for your situation.
