As the 2025-26 financial year kicks off, it's a great time to get on the front foot with your finances, so you can make the most of the opportunities ahead.
Here’s what you need to know to close out 2024-25 on a high – and set yourself up for a successful new year.
Understanding how hard your money is working for you is key to achieving your financial goals.
Your annual statement offers detailed insights into your investments and returns, including how your money has performed over time.
By reviewing your statement, you can identify opportunities to maximise the growth potential of your savings and investments.
The start of a new financial year is a great time to review the things that affect how your money is performing, including:
Your financial goals. Make sure your investments align with your goals and risk appetite. For help setting a financial goal, calculate how much money you’ll need, or compare your balance with that of others your age to see how your retirement savings are tracking.
Your risk profile. Your risk profile reflects how comfortable you are with market ups and downs. Generally, investment types that may offer higher returns come with a higher risk. Try our risk profiler to understand your risk appetite.
Investment performance. When money goes into your super, pension or investment account, you're buying units in your chosen investment option. The unit price is the value of one unit, calculated daily, and this can go up and down over time, depending on how the option performed. Performance is measured in percentage growth over 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 20-year increments, as applicable.
Contributions, withdrawals and tax. What you put into, and take out of, your account, as well as the amount of tax you pay, will also affect performance. Learn more about super contributions and tax benefits; pensions, tax in retirement and withdrawal strategies; as well as investing.
Fees and costs. These may include administration fees, investment fees and costs, costs associated with changing investment options, and indirect costs paid to third-party providers, such as investment managers. Some members may also pay insurance and advice fees.
For many members, bringing the 2024-25 financial year to a close may also involve lodging a tax return.
We’ve designed tax statement guides to help investment and pension account holders understand tax obligations to make it easier to complete your tax return.
Tax matters can be complex. Learn more about capital gains tax here. If you need more help, it’s worth speaking to your accountant.
July is also a great time to undertake some general housekeeping when it comes to your retirement savings.
Also this month, there may be delays to some services as we work to help members conclude the 2024-25 financial year. These include:
Rest assured, your funds will continue to earn interest, ensuring your investments remain productive. We appreciate your patience as we work to process all transactions as quickly as possible during this time.
Starting the new financial year on the right foot is crucial, and we’re committed to helping you achieve your financial goals.
It’s also a great time to seek advice to ensure you’re making the most of your financial resources. You may be able to pay for financial advice directly from your super or pension, and in some circumstances, financial advice fees may also be tax deductible to you.
A great first step is to speak to our guidance team, who can also help find the right advice option for you. Book a free consultation.
Get in touch with us online or call us 8:30am to 6pm AEST Monday to Friday.
Our dedicated team can help you choose from a range of different financial advice options.
Track your balance and see your transactions history from anywhere.
Avanteos Investments Limited ABN 20 096 259 979, AFSL 245531 (AIL) is the trustee of the Colonial First State FirstChoice Superannuation Trust ABN 26 458 298 557 and issuer of FirstChoice range of super and pension products. Colonial First State Investments Limited ABN 98 002 348 352, AFSL 232468 (CFSIL) is the responsible entity and issuer of products made available under FirstChoice Investments and FirstChoice Wholesale Investments. This webpage may include general advice but does not consider your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or tax circumstances. You can find the Target Market Determinations (TMD) for our financial products at www.cfs.com.au/tmd, which include a description of who a financial product might suit. You should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Financial Services Guide (FSG) carefully, assess whether the information is appropriate for you, and consider talking to a financial adviser before making an investment decision. You can get the PDS and FSG at www.cfs.com.au or by calling us on 13 13 36.