Queensland police super at a glance
Eighteen per cent, no compulsory contribution, and insurance designed around police sick leave.
Since 1 July 2023, Queensland police officers have received an employer contribution of 18% of ordinary time earnings, including paid leave. It's set by the Superannuation (State Public Sector) Regulation 2023. There's no compulsory member contribution.
QLD police
18%
employer, no compulsory member contribution
Other QLD Government staff
12.75%
core government employees
Super Guarantee minimum
12%
what NSW and WA police receive
New non-casual officers under 60 are started on a default member contribution of 6% of superannuable salary. It's a default, not a requirement: you can reduce it to zero. Whether you should is a budget decision, and it interacts with the concessional cap if it's deducted before tax, as the cap section explains.
Queensland also pays super for the whole 52-week parental leave period, paid or unpaid, from 1 July 2024. That closes one of the biggest gaps in super for officers who take extended parental leave.
Which QSuper account do you have?
QSuper Accumulation account
- Who has it
- Every officer who joined since 1993, and most others alongside an older account
- Type
- Accumulation, issued by Australian Retirement Trust
- Status
- Open (default)
QSuper Police account
- Who has it
- Officers who joined before 1 January 1993 and stayed in it
- Type
- Defined benefit pension
- Status
- Closed 1 January 1993
QSuper Defined Benefit account (State)
- Who has it
- Some officers and former public servants
- Type
- Defined benefit lump sum, separate from the Police account
- Status
- Closed 12 November 2008
| Account | Who has it | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| QSuper Accumulation account | Every officer who joined since 1993, and most others alongside an older account | Accumulation, issued by Australian Retirement Trust | Open (default) |
| QSuper Police account | Officers who joined before 1 January 1993 and stayed in it | Defined benefit pension | Closed 1 January 1993 |
| QSuper Defined Benefit account (State) | Some officers and former public servants | Defined benefit lump sum, separate from the Police account | Closed 12 November 2008 |
QSuper merged with Sunsuper in 2022 to form Australian Retirement Trust (ART). QSuper is still the brand Queensland Government employees deal with, and your Accumulation account is opened automatically when QPS enrols you. Police account members also have an Accumulation account, which receives a 3% award contribution from the employer.
What could 18% build by the time you're 60?
Worked examples with the same method as our super calculator.
These projections use 18% employer contributions on base salary from the pay table effective 1 July 2026. Queensland's current rates are QPS's official CPI Uplift Adjustment schedule, including the 2025 CPI uplift. We assume 3% pay growth, a 6.5% net return and 2.5% inflation, with contributions taxed 15% on entry and no allowance for insurance premiums.
First Year Constable 1.1, age 25, $5,000 balance
- Base salary now
- $78,505
- At 60, today's dollars
- $952,000
- At 60, future dollars
- $2,259,000
- Income at 4.5% a year
- $42,841
- With $100/fn sacrificed
- $1,071,000
Senior Constable 2.10, age 35, $120,000 balance
- Base salary now
- $118,127
- At 60, today's dollars
- $1,099,000
- At 60, future dollars
- $2,037,000
- Income at 4.5% a year
- $49,442
- With $100/fn sacrificed
- $1,171,000
Sergeant 3.7, age 45, $320,000 balance
- Base salary now
- $133,671
- At 60, today's dollars
- $991,000
- At 60, future dollars
- $1,435,000
- Income at 4.5% a year
- $44,577
- With $100/fn sacrificed
- $1,029,000
| Starting point | Base salary now | At 60, today's dollars | At 60, future dollars | Income at 4.5% a year | With $100/fn sacrificed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Constable 1.1, age 25, $5,000 balance | $78,505 | $952,000 | $2,259,000 | $42,841 | $1,071,000 |
| Senior Constable 2.10, age 35, $120,000 balance | $118,127 | $1,099,000 | $2,037,000 | $49,442 | $1,171,000 |
| Sergeant 3.7, age 45, $320,000 balance | $133,671 | $991,000 | $1,435,000 | $44,577 | $1,029,000 |
Calculated by us with the super calculator's method. Promotion and the 21% OSA are not included. The default 6% member contribution is not included either; the last column shows the effect of adding $2,600 a year before tax instead.
For comparison, the same Senior Constable on 12% employer super, the rate NSW and WA officers receive, projects to $837,000 at 60. The extra six percentage points are worth about $262,000 in today's dollars over 25 years, without the officer contributing anything.
Six extra points of employer super, compounded over a career, can be worth more than a promotion.
Project your own QSuper balance
Pick QLD and the calculator starts at 18%. Enter your age, balance, salary and any salary sacrifice to see your balance at 60 in today's dollars.
The 18% squeeze on the $32,500 concessional cap
Everything paid into super before tax counts towards the concessional cap: employer contributions, salary sacrifice and any before-tax member contributions. At 18%, Queensland officers fill the cap faster than officers anywhere else.
Constable 1.6
- Base salary
- $96,528
- Employer at 18%
- $17,375
- Room left under the cap
- $15,125
- If 6% is also paid before tax (24%)
- $9,333 left
Senior Constable 2.10
- Base salary
- $118,127
- Employer at 18%
- $21,263
- Room left under the cap
- $11,237
- If 6% is also paid before tax (24%)
- $4,150 left
Sergeant 3.7
- Base salary
- $133,671
- Employer at 18%
- $24,061
- Room left under the cap
- $8,439
- If 6% is also paid before tax (24%)
- $419 left
Senior Sergeant 4.7
- Base salary
- $150,175
- Employer at 18%
- $27,032
- Room left under the cap
- $5,469
- If 6% is also paid before tax (24%)
- Over the cap by $3,542
Inspector 1
- Base salary
- $179,870
- Employer at 18%
- $32,377
- Room left under the cap
- $123
- If 6% is also paid before tax (24%)
- Over the cap by $10,669
Inspector 7 (Chief Inspector)
- Base salary
- $195,991
- Employer at 18%
- $35,278
- Room left under the cap
- $0
- If 6% is also paid before tax (24%)
- Over the cap by $14,538
| Pay point | Base salary | Employer at 18% | Room left under the cap | If 6% is also paid before tax (24%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constable 1.6 | $96,528 | $17,375 | $15,125 | $9,333 left |
| Senior Constable 2.10 | $118,127 | $21,263 | $11,237 | $4,150 left |
| Sergeant 3.7 | $133,671 | $24,061 | $8,439 | $419 left |
| Senior Sergeant 4.7 | $150,175 | $27,032 | $5,469 | Over the cap by $3,542 |
| Inspector 1 | $179,870 | $32,377 | $123 | Over the cap by $10,669 |
| Inspector 7 (Chief Inspector) | $195,991 | $35,278 | $0 | Over the cap by $14,538 |
Calculated by us: $32,500 minus contributions on base salary. Salaries are QPS's official CPI Uplift Adjustment rates. If the OSA or other allowances attract the 18%, your contributions are higher and the room smaller.
Employer contributions alone reach the cap at a base salary of about $180,556, which is roughly where Inspectors sit. If your 6% default contribution is deducted before tax, the total reaches the cap at about $135,417, around Senior Sergeant. Going over the cap isn't illegal, but the excess is taxed at your marginal rate (less a 15% offset), which removes the benefit of sacrificing.
Carry-forward can help
If your total super balance was under $500,000 on 30 June last year, you can use unused cap amounts from the previous five years. Your myGov account shows the figure. This can matter in a year with back pay or a big promotion.
Should a Queensland officer salary sacrifice at all?
For most constables and senior constables, salary sacrifice still works: contributions are taxed at 15% instead of the 32% most officers pay at the margin, including Medicare. Sacrificing $100 a fortnight ($2,600 a year) on the Senior Constable 2.10 salary reduces take-home pay by about $1,768 a year, puts $2,210 into super, and adds about $72,000 at 60 in today's dollars on our assumptions.
When sacrificing makes sense
- ✓You're a constable or senior constable with plenty of cap room
- ✓You've reduced your 6% default and want a smaller, before-tax amount instead
- ✓You're within 10 years of 60 and want to use carry-forward cap amounts
When to think twice
- ✕You're near the cap already (Inspector and above)
- ✕You need the cash for a deposit or debt; super is locked until 60
- ✕Your income plus contributions is near the $250,000 Division 293 threshold
Division 293 adds a further 15% on contributions when income plus concessional contributions exceeds $250,000. Few Queensland officers reach it from base pay, but overtime and back pay can push senior officers close. For pay by rank see Queensland police salary, and for how promotion lifts it see Queensland police promotion.
Default QSuper insurance for Queensland police
QPS officers get automatic insurance in their QSuper Accumulation account from age 16, regardless of balance. Ordinary members only get it once they're 25 and have $6,000 or more. The cover is designed around policing: the income protection waiting period lines up with your sick leave and the QPS sick leave bank.
Death
- QPS police officers (QSuper Accumulation PDS, 1 July 2026)
- 1 unit at ages 16 to 20, then 2 units at 21 to 59
Total and permanent disability (TPD)
- QPS police officers (QSuper Accumulation PDS, 1 July 2026)
- 2 units, ages 16 to 59
Income Protection
- QPS police officers (QSuper Accumulation PDS, 1 July 2026)
- 87.75% of insured salary (including a 12.75% contribution replacement benefit paid to super), ages 16 to 59, benefit period 2 years, capped at $20,000 a month
Waiting period
- QPS police officers (QSuper Accumulation PDS, 1 July 2026)
- 90 days in the first 12 months of employment; then 180 days or accrued sick leave plus approved QPS sick leave bank, whichever is greater
Premiums (police rates)
- QPS police officers (QSuper Accumulation PDS, 1 July 2026)
- Death $0.42 to $1.74 per unit per week; TPD $0.03 to $7.71 per unit per week; Income Protection 0.057% to 0.571% of the salary IP cover amount
Insurer
- QPS police officers (QSuper Accumulation PDS, 1 July 2026)
- ART Life Insurance Limited
| Cover | QPS police officers (QSuper Accumulation PDS, 1 July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Death | 1 unit at ages 16 to 20, then 2 units at 21 to 59 |
| Total and permanent disability (TPD) | 2 units, ages 16 to 59 |
| Income Protection | 87.75% of insured salary (including a 12.75% contribution replacement benefit paid to super), ages 16 to 59, benefit period 2 years, capped at $20,000 a month |
| Waiting period | 90 days in the first 12 months of employment; then 180 days or accrued sick leave plus approved QPS sick leave bank, whichever is greater |
| Premiums (police rates) | Death $0.42 to $1.74 per unit per week; TPD $0.03 to $7.71 per unit per week; Income Protection 0.057% to 0.571% of the salary IP cover amount |
| Insurer | ART Life Insurance Limited |
Unit values depend on age and are set out in Appendix 2 of QSuper's Insurance Guide. Premiums vary by age and are deducted monthly in arrears.
The 12.75% contribution replacement benefit means super keeps flowing while you're on an income protection claim, though at 12.75% of insured salary rather than 18%. Because income protection only pays for 2 years, a long-term injury will normally lead to a TPD claim or medical retirement. Check how many units you hold, because personalised or changed cover can differ from the default.
The closed QSuper Police account pension
If you joined before 1 January 1993 and stayed in the Police account, you have a defined benefit pension. Members who joined after 26 February 1984 contribute 7%. The employer pays 17% to the Police account plus a 3% award contribution to your Accumulation account, topped up so total employer contributions are at least 18% of ordinary time earnings.
- 1
Work out fortnightly final average salary
FASThe average of your superannuable salary over the last 12 months, excluding allowances. A promotion in your last two years is averaged out by a formula.
- 2
Apply the service formula
Pension %3 x service before 1 July 1988 / 160, plus service from 1 July 1988 / 62.5. The result is capped at 75% of FAS, and service is capped at 40 years.
- 3
Adjust for age if under 60
Early retirementRetiring at 55 to 59 multiplies the pension by (85 + 3 x (age - 55)) / 100.
- 4
Choose pension, lump sum or both
CommutationWithin one month of retiring you can convert all or part of the pension to a lump sum using age-based factors. At 60 the factor is 313.1.
Pension at 60
$96,938
a year ($3,716 a fortnight)
Full lump sum at 60
$1,163,362
313.1 x fortnightly pension
Pension at 57
$81,654
a year, with 3 fewer years' service
These figures are calculated by us for a Senior Sergeant 4.7 on $150,175 with 2 years' service before 1 July 1988 and 38 years after, giving 64.5% of FAS at 60. The pension is indexed to Brisbane CPI each August. Get QSuper's own estimate before deciding, and note that the commutation factors differ by age and gender.
What happens if you resign, are medically retired or die
Resign
- QSuper Accumulation account
- Your balance stays yours and is preserved until 60. Ask QSuper what happens to your cover: the PDS sets different default cover for former Queensland Government employees, with no default Income Protection.
- Police account (pre-1993)
- Under 55: keep a retained benefit in the Police account until 55 (pro-rated for service and reduced by 2% for each year under 55), or choose another option within 3 months. 55 or over: a retirement benefit.
Medically retired
- QSuper Accumulation account
- Claim TPD cover if you meet the definition, and income protection for up to 2 years. Permanent incapacity can release your balance early.
- Police account (pre-1993)
- Permanent disability pension: FAS x 3 x (service had you stayed to 60) / 160, CPI-indexed, commutable within 6 months.
Death
- QSuper Accumulation account
- Your balance plus death cover, paid to your beneficiaries.
- Police account (pre-1993)
- Spouse benefit based on the disability pension and age-based factors; the spouse can take a lump sum, a pension or both.
| Event | QSuper Accumulation account | Police account (pre-1993) |
|---|---|---|
| Resign | Your balance stays yours and is preserved until 60. Ask QSuper what happens to your cover: the PDS sets different default cover for former Queensland Government employees, with no default Income Protection. | Under 55: keep a retained benefit in the Police account until 55 (pro-rated for service and reduced by 2% for each year under 55), or choose another option within 3 months. 55 or over: a retirement benefit. |
| Medically retired | Claim TPD cover if you meet the definition, and income protection for up to 2 years. Permanent incapacity can release your balance early. | Permanent disability pension: FAS x 3 x (service had you stayed to 60) / 160, CPI-indexed, commutable within 6 months. |
| Death | Your balance plus death cover, paid to your beneficiaries. | Spouse benefit based on the disability pension and age-based factors; the spouse can take a lump sum, a pension or both. |
Work injuries also bring in WorkCover Queensland, and the 21% OSA keeps being paid during workers' compensation leave under the agreement. If you're considering medical retirement, talk to the Queensland Police Union before resigning; our guide to police associations explains their role. If you're moving interstate, your QSuper balance comes with you but the 18% doesn't: see the interstate transfer guide.
Retiring at 60, and how to draw your super
QSuper's Police Account Guide states that, under current Queensland legislation, police officers must retire at 60. That lines up neatly with preservation age, which is 60 for anyone born after 30 June 1964. Once you've retired at 60 you can usually take your accumulation balance as a lump sum, an income stream, or both.
Compulsory retirement
60
Queensland police
Preservation age
60
born after 30 June 1964
Lifetime Pension
60 to 80
age range to start one with QSuper
QSuper offers a Retirement Income account and a Lifetime Pension, which you can start between 60 and 80. Leaving before 60 means your accumulation balance generally stays preserved until 60, so plan a bridge from leave balances or other savings. See Queensland police leave for long service leave rules that can help.
Questions to ask QSuper or QPS payroll
Before you change anything
- ✓ Is my 6% member contribution switched on, and is it before or after tax?
- ✓ Is the 18% paid on my base salary only, or also on the OSA and other allowances?
- ✓ How many units of Death and TPD cover do I hold, and what does it cost each year?
- ✓ What is my income protection waiting period now, given my sick leave and the QPS sick leave bank?
- ✓ How much of my concessional cap have I used this year, and do I have carry-forward room?
- ✓ For Police account members: what is my pension and lump sum estimate at 55, 58 and 60?
- ✓ What would my beneficiaries receive if I died today?
This page is general information, not financial advice. QSuper offers member education and advice services, and a licensed financial adviser can look at your whole position. Compare the Queensland deal with NSW police super and the defined benefit in Victoria Police super.
Free email alerts
Changes to Queensland Police Service super and retirement rules
Get an email when the 18% rule, QSuper insurance for police or the Police account rules change, and when the concessional cap moves enough to affect your salary sacrifice.
- ✓QSuper insurance changes for police explained
- ✓Cap changes worked through at your rank
Frequently asked questions
How much super do Queensland police get?
Queensland police officers receive an employer contribution of 18% of ordinary time earnings, including paid leave, under the Superannuation (State Public Sector) Regulation 2023. It applies from 1 July 2023 and there is no compulsory member contribution. Most other Queensland Government employees receive 12.75%.
Do Queensland police have to contribute to super?
No. Since 1 July 2023 there is no compulsory member contribution. New non-casual officers under 60 are started on a default member contribution of 6% of superannuable salary, but you can reduce it to zero. Ask QSuper or QPS payroll whether yours is deducted before or after tax.
Is QSuper the same as Australian Retirement Trust?
QSuper merged with Sunsuper in 2022 to form Australian Retirement Trust. QSuper continues as a brand for Queensland Government employees, and your Accumulation account is issued by Australian Retirement Trust as trustee. The QSuper Police account and Defined Benefit account are closed to new members.
Can Queensland police salary sacrifice into super?
Yes, but the 18% employer contribution uses much of the $32,500 concessional cap. A Senior Constable 2.10 already has $21,263 going in, leaving $11,237 of room. At a base salary of about $180,556, employer contributions alone reach the cap. Check carry-forward amounts on myGov before sacrificing.
What insurance do Queensland police get in QSuper?
QPS officers in a QSuper Accumulation account get automatic Death and TPD cover from age 16, regardless of balance, plus Income Protection paying 87.75% of insured salary for up to 2 years, to age 59, capped at $20,000 a month. After 12 months' employment the waiting period is 180 days or accrued sick leave plus approved QPS sick leave bank, whichever is greater.
What is the QSuper Police account?
It is a defined benefit pension scheme that closed to new members on 1 January 1993. Members contribute 7% and the pension at 60 is based on fortnightly final average salary and service, capped at 75% of salary and 40 years. It's indexed to Brisbane CPI each August and can be partly or fully converted to a lump sum within a month of retiring.
Is 18% super paid on the Operational Shift Allowance?
The regulation sets 18% of ordinary time earnings, and the Police account guide says its final average salary excludes allowances. We couldn't confirm whether the 21% OSA counts as ordinary time earnings for the 18%. Compare employer super on your payslip with your base pay to check.
When do Queensland police have to retire?
QSuper's Police Account Guide says that under current Queensland legislation police officers must retire at 60. Preservation age is also 60 for anyone born after 30 June 1964, so most officers can access their accumulation super when they leave the service at 60.
Evidence
Sources and how we checked them
Every figure on this page comes from the sources below, read on 10 October 2026. Pay rates and rules change when new agreements are made, so check the source for the date you're reading this. Where we couldn't confirm something from an official source, the page says so instead of guessing. Spotted an error? Read our corrections policy.
- Superannuation (State Public Sector) Regulation 2023 (SL 2023 No 47), explanatory notes — 18% employer contribution for police, no compulsory member contribution, default 6%
- QSuper Accumulation Account PDS (issue date 1 July 2026) — default Death, TPD and Income Protection for QPS police officers; premium ranges; insurer
- QSuper Police Account Guide (issued 1 July 2026) — closure date, pension formula, commutation, early retirement, resignation, disability, death, retirement at 60
- QSuper Defined Benefit account guide — closed 12 November 2008
- Queensland Police Service Certified Agreement 2025 (QIRC CB/2025/116) — pay structure and Schedule 1 certified rates
- Queensland Police Service: CPI Uplift Adjustment (CUA) FAQ and visual aids, Tranche 3 (official pay and allowance schedules) — official CPI-uplifted pay rates from 1 July 2026
- For Government (Qld): Super on unpaid parental leave — super paid for the full 52-week parental leave period from 1 July 2024
- ATO: Contributions caps — $32,500 concessional cap from 1 July 2026
Related guides
Retiring and super
More in this series
General information, not advice. This guide explains published rules and rates. It doesn't consider your personal circumstances and isn't financial, legal, tax or credit advice. Confirm anything you rely on with your force, your police association, the ATO or a licensed professional.