Industry groups have urged the government to top up the super accounts of low income earners, warning young women, low income earners and those in insecure work would be hardest hit.

A federal policy aimed at combating the COVID-19 economic crisis allowed Australians to apply to withdraw up to $10,000 of their super once in each of 2019-20 and 2020-21.

Read more: Recurring nightmare - Bendigo workers lose $23 million

Industry Super Australia estimates 3200 people drained their super accounts in the Bendigo electorate, among more than 700,000 people to do so nationwide.

The figures suggest 16,586 Bendigo electorate residents applied to access super, 6809 of those applying twice.

Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees chief executive Eva Scheerlinck warned the financial burden of lost retirement savings would most heavily affect those already experiencing disadvantage.

The AIST said its analysis showed nearly a million workers under 35 had closed their accounts, or had less than $1000 in super remaining.

It showed young workers and women were much more likely to close their accounts as a result of the early release payments scheme.

AIST said it would call on the government to make a one-off contribution to the super accounts of low-income earners, based on the proportion of the balance withdrawn.

Read more: Advocate welcomes call to make super fairer for women

Ms Scheerlinck said this would reduce the extent these people would need to rely on taxpayer funded pensions in their old age.

ISA estimates suggested residents of the Bendigo electorate withdrew an average of $7487.

More men applied to the scheme in the Bendigo electorate, but women were more likely to be left without any super in their account.

A total of $171 million was estimated as being paid out to Bendigo electorate residents as part of the scheme.

ISA estimates suggest a 30-year-old who withdrew $20,000 from their super could have up to $80,000 less at retirement.

Every dollar withdrawn by someone in their 30s meant an extra $2.50 increase in pension costs, according to the ISA estimates.

Near 3.5 million people across Australia applied to the scheme.

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