Law blocking abusers hiding super assets passes parliament

The government has passed landmark legislation allowing victim survivors of child sexual abuse to access the superannuation assets of convicted offenders who fail to pay court ordered compensation.

Assistant treasurer and minister for financial services Daniel Mulino said the Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026 closes a loophole that previously enabled perpetrators to shield assets inside superannuation accounts.

Under the reforms, victim survivors can apply for a court order to access additional personal or salary sacrifice super contributions made by an offender if compensation remains unpaid for more than 12 months.

Victims will also be able to apply to the Australian Taxation Office to identify eligible super balances before seeking access, with safeguards built into the process.

The legislation further amends the Bankruptcy Act 1966, so compensation debts linked to child sexual abuse convictions survive bankruptcy proceedings.

The reforms apply not only to future compensation orders but also historical unpaid orders that remain legally enforceable.

The law received bipartisan support and has been strongly backed by the superannuation sector, which said the changes reinforce the integrity of the retirement savings system.

Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) chief executive Mary Delahunty said convicted perpetrators would no longer be able to "misuse the super system to put themselves beyond the reach of justice.".

ASFA said it worked with Treasury during consultation and advocated for stronger powers allowing regulators to secure offenders' super assets before notification, preventing funds from being moved out of reach.

Meanwhile, Super Members Council chief executive Misha Schubert described the reforms as a "huge stride forward" for survivors.

"Super should never be used as a loophole for criminals to dodge accountability," Schubert said.

The legislation follows months of consultation and broader government efforts to prevent superannuation laws being exploited in cases involving abuse and family violence.