To quote Ernest Hemingway, change has a way of happening “gradually, then suddenly”.

That’s how this week felt for anyone who has been advocating for a lift to the low income super tax offset (LISTO).

Frozen for 13 years, LISTO is a fairness measure to top up the super of low-income workers, but it has fallen behind changes to tax brackets and super contribution rates.

On Monday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the Government will unfreeze the LISTO, boosting the super savings of 1.3 million low-paid workers, mostly women.

Change will come in the form of two simple fixes, both of which were proposed by the Super Members Council in its advocacy, including:

— Lifting eligibility for the LISTO to fully cover the first two tax brackets. That means lifting LISTO eligibility to $45,000 (from $37,000).

— Increasing the cap on the rebate to $810 (from $500) completely refunding the tax these workers pay on their employer super contributions.

Why does it matter? Our modelling shows that lifetime low-paid workers could retire with up to $60,000 more in their super accounts thanks to the fix.

That’s a game-changer for cleaners, carers, retail assistants, hospitality staff and health workers—especially mums working part-time in frontline roles.

The gender impact is profound. Around 737,000 women were disproportionately affected by the freeze, missing out on $295 million in 2025–26 alone. Over time, the reforms will help narrow the gender super gap and lift economic security for women in retirement.

LISTO was designed to level the playing field. But while a senior manager earning $220,000 enjoys a 30% tax concession on super, a cleaner on $42,000 was getting just 1%. That’s not fair—and now, it’s being fixed.

This is a win for fairness, a win for women, and a win for the principle that every Australian deserves dignity in retirement.

This was originally published in our weekly Super Wrap email. Subscribe here.