PSSap Review (2026) — Australian Public Service Super Fund
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Contents
PSSap (Public Sector Superannuation Accumulation Plan) is the accumulation superannuation fund for current Australian Government employees who do not have access to the legacy defined benefit CSS or PSS schemes. It is also open to former eligible members.
Key Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Public Sector Superannuation Accumulation Plan |
| Fund type | Public sector accumulation fund |
| Administered by | Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC) |
| Eligible members | Australian Government employees hired after 1 July 2005 |
| Website | csc.gov.au/pssap |
PSSap vs PSS and CSS
The Australian Government has three civilian public sector super schemes:
| Scheme | Type | Open to |
|---|---|---|
| CSS (Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme) | Defined benefit | Closed — pre-1990 entrants |
| PSS (Public Sector Superannuation Scheme) | Defined benefit | Closed — pre-2005 entrants |
| PSSap | Accumulation | Current APS employees from July 2005 |
If you are a current Australian Government employee hired from 1 July 2005, you are likely in PSSap. If hired before 2005, you may still be in PSS (defined benefit). See Public Sector Super Guide.
Employer Contributions
Australian Government (APS) employers contribute 15.4% of salary to PSSap — higher than the standard 11.5% SG. This higher rate reflects the public sector employment framework.
Fees
PSSap is generally competitive on fees:
- Administration fee: Low dollar-based fee
- Investment management fees (ICR): Competitive within the sector
For current fee information, refer to the PSSap PDS at csc.gov.au.
Investment Options
PSSap offers:
- MySuper Balanced option (default)
- Cash
- Income Focused
- Balanced
- Indexed Diversified
- Property
- Australian Equities
- International Equities
The Indexed Diversified option uses passive index investing — often lower fees than active management.
Insurance
PSSap provides default death and TPD cover for eligible members. Income protection is also available.
Who Is Eligible
PSSap is available to:
- Current Australian Public Service (APS) employees
- Current employees of designated APS agencies
- Former PSSap members (preserved benefits)
Private sector employees are not eligible unless through a corporate arrangement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PSSap employer contribution rate? The standard PSSap employer contribution rate is 15.4% of superannuation salary — significantly above the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate of 12% for FY2026. This higher rate reflects the Commonwealth’s commitment to competitive public sector remuneration packages and the replacement of the old defined benefit PSS (Public Sector Superannuation) scheme for newer employees. The 15.4% rate is a major financial advantage for APS employees compared to most private sector arrangements.
What happens to my PSSap if I leave the APS? Your PSSap account is preserved and continues to be administered by CSC. You can: (1) leave it in PSSap until preservation age; (2) roll it to another complying super fund; or (3) consolidate with other super accounts. If you leave APS and return to an eligible Commonwealth employer, contributions may resume. When you leave, the government employer contribution (15.4%) ceases — subsequent contributions at another fund receive the standard SG rate only.
Can I contribute extra (voluntary) to PSSap? Yes — PSSap members can make additional voluntary contributions (both pre-tax concessional and post-tax non-concessional) within the annual contribution caps. You can set up salary sacrifice through your APS agency’s payroll system. Contributions are capped under the same Commonwealth super contribution rules that apply to all Australians: $30,000 concessional cap for FY2026 (including employer contributions).
What is the PSSap Indexed Diversified option? The Indexed Diversified option is a passively managed investment option within PSSap that tracks market indices at lower investment fees than the actively managed default (MySuper Balanced). It is suitable for fee-conscious members who are comfortable with index-tracking returns rather than active management. Fees are published in the PSSap Product Disclosure Statement at CSC’s website (csc.gov.au).
What is the difference between PSSap and PSS? PSS (Public Sector Superannuation) is a defined benefit scheme closed to new entrants since 2005. Members who joined the APS from 1 July 2005 onward are in PSSap (accumulation). PSS provides retirement benefits linked to salary and years of service — a fundamentally different structure from PSSap’s accumulation model. If you are unsure which scheme you are in, check your CSC member statement or log in to the CSC member portal.
Are there other Commonwealth super schemes I should know about? Yes — CSS (Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme) was the original APS defined benefit scheme, closed to new members in 1990. PSS followed (closed 2005). PSSap is the current accumulation scheme. Some older APS employees may still be in CSS or PSS and cannot switch to PSSap without losing defined benefit entitlements. For ADF members, ADF Super (16.4% employer contribution) is the equivalent scheme. See Public Sector Super Guide for a full comparison.
For advice on PSSap and public sector super, speak with a licensed financial adviser familiar with government super. Find an adviser via MoneySmart. For more: Public Sector Super Guide, Defined Benefit Funds.