ASIC financial adviser exam, Client profiles, life stages and risk question: Tayla's retirement planning

ASIC examClient profiles, life stages and risk

Tayla, 28, earns most of her income as a rideshare driver and food courier, working as an independent contractor through two apps. She has A$9,000 in super from an old retail job and asks an adviser how to plan for retirement. For Tayla's retirement planning, the adviser should point out that…

A her personal super contributions cannot be tax deductible without an employer
B the apps may not pay her super guarantee, so she must contribute herself
C she needs an employer before she can open or add to a super account
D her income is too low and irregular for super to be worth considering

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B. the apps may not pay her super guarantee, so she must contribute herself

Super guarantee is generally payable by employers for eligible employees; genuine independent contractors, including many gig workers, often receive none, so Tayla's retirement savings may depend on her own contributions (ATO, Super guarantee, updated 17 Apr 2026). Personal contributions can be tax deductible without an employer if she gives her fund a notice of intent, and on a lower income she may also receive the government co-contribution. Anyone can open a super account and contribute to it; no employer is needed. Low and irregular income makes saving harder, but that is a reason to plan flexible contributions, not to ignore super at 28.

Common mistake

The 12% SG rate applies to employees, not to most genuine contractors.

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