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Victoria Devine Money columnist September 14, 2025 — 5.01am

I’m yet to meet anybody who is a huge fan of the dentist, but looking at what the Australian Tax Office uncovered last week makes for one gigantic national toothache for us all – even those who are exemplary with their brushing and flossing.

According to new figures from the ATO, the number of people making applications to access their superannuation early on the grounds of compassionate release has grown by more than 75 per cent since before COVID – from about 39,000 applications in the 2019-2020 financial year, to almost 69,000 in 2023-2024.

Of those applications for all medical care, 73 per cent were approved (about 50,000), with a total of $1.04 billion – or $20,800

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