How To Claim
If you are Redundant
- Get a completed BIRST Claim Form from your former employer.
- Add your tax file number and payment details to the form.
- Forward it to BIRST.
- Funds will be credited to your bank account or forwarded by cheque.
If you are Not Redundant
You should contact BIRST and you will probably be eligible to receive the funds if you are :
- Unemployed for 4 weeks and registered with Centrelink or an Employment Service.
- Out of the industry for 9 months,
- Permanently disabled; or
- Retiring.
Funds cannot be paid to workers unless their employment has been terminated
Top Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim my funds if I've handed in my notice to resign?
Yes. You can claim your funds as long as you submit your form electing to convert your account to an ETP-type account on or before your final day of employment.
Can I claim my funds if I'm made redundant?
Yes. Your account with an employer is a default GRA account and redundancy payments are tax-free.
Can I claim my funds if I resigned and finished 2 weeks ago?
No. After resignation you must wait 28 days from your termination date and then claim under financial hardship.
Can I claim my funds if I retire?
Yes. Retirement claims attract 17% tax if above preservation age.
Can I roll my BIRST funds into my superannuation account?
No. The ATO no longer allows tax-free rollovers into super.
How long does it take to receive my money?
In most cases, payments are made within 1–2 business days.
How can I make a claim?
If you've been made redundant or plan to resign, contact your employer to obtain the BIRST claim form.
You can submit it via email, post, the app, or drop it off at our Greenhill Road office. If it's been a while since your employer last contributed, call us to discuss your best options.
Can I make a claim if I haven't left my job?
No. You are not eligible to claim while still employed by the company contributing to your BIRST account. Employment must be terminated to access funds.
How will my payment be taxed?
From the 1st October 2020, the reason for termination of your employment will determine how your benefit payment is taxed. Members are not required to do anything to take advantage of these changes.
| Reason for Termination | Tax Rate (including Medicare levy) |
| Genuine Redundancy 1 |
If under pension age:
|
| Resignation, Retirement or other Voluntary Termination |
Amounts up to the ETP Cap:
|
| Financial Hardship |
|
- Genuine Redundancy means your employer has made a decision that your job is no longer needed, and your employment is to be terminated. Your employer must confirm to BIRST that your termination was due to a genuine redundancy.
- The tax free threshold for genuine redundancy payments is the sum of a base amount plus an additional amount for each completed year of service with your employer. Please refer to the ATO website for information regarding tax free thresholds for genuine redundancy payments. The tax rates applied to amounts above the tax free threshold but less than the ETP Cap is 32% (or 17% if you have reached preservation age). Amounts above the ETP Cap are taxed at 47%.
- Preservation age is a sliding scale based on date of birth. Please refer to the ATO website for information regarding the preservation age.
How does a BIRST payment affect Social Security entitlements?
In some circumstances Centrelink impose a waiting period when a worker receives a lump sum payment such as redundancy. You should check with Centrelink.
Why don't I receive interest?
The BIRST Trustees have decided to provide benefits to workers and the industry rather than pay small amounts of taxable interest to workers. As a result we have been able to provide significant benefits such as funeral, ambulance and journey cover for workers and fund worthwhile training and education projects and the successful and nationally recognised Construction Industry Drug & Alcohol Program.
