There's $2.7 billion in unclaimed money sitting in government databases across Australia right now — and most people have no idea it exists.
This isn't a scam. It's money that belongs to real people: old bank accounts that went dormant, lost superannuation from jobs you forgot about, shares and dividends never collected, and insurance payouts that never reached their owners. The government holds it until you claim it.
Where Is Australia's Unclaimed Money Held?
State revenue offices hold additional unclaimed funds specific to each state, including court-ordered payments, rental bonds, and deceased estate money.
How to Search for Free
You can search all of these databases yourself for free. No signup required, no fees.
The easiest way is to use the Australia page on CryptoAndMoneySearch.com, which searches ASIC's MoneySmart register and ATO super records simultaneously — one search, 30 seconds.
Alternatively, search each database directly:
- ASIC unclaimed money: moneysmart.gov.au/find-unclaimed-money
- ATO lost super: Log into myGov and check the ATO section under Super
- NSW: revenue.nsw.gov.au/grants-schemes/unclaimed-money
- VIC: sro.vic.gov.au/unclaimedmoneyregister
- QLD: treasury.qld.gov.au/programs-and-initiatives/unclaimed-money
How to Claim
If you find money under your name, the process is straightforward:
- Submit a claim form through the relevant portal (ASIC, ATO, or state office)
- Provide proof of identity — usually a driver's licence or passport
- ASIC or the relevant authority transfers the money directly to you
There's no fee and no agent needed. Anyone charging you a percentage to "help you claim" is taking money you could get yourself for free.
Check Before Someone Else Does
ASIC publishes a searchable register. Anyone can search it. That means if your name and suburb are in there, it's technically findable by anyone — including "unclaimed money recovery" companies who will then charge you 20–30% to file a claim on your behalf.
Tip: Search your own name, your spouse's name, your children's names, and the names of any deceased relatives you might be able to claim on behalf of. The process for claiming on behalf of a deceased person is straightforward with a death certificate.
Search Australian unclaimed money now
Search ASIC, ATO super, and state databases simultaneously — free, no signup, 30 seconds.
Search Australia →Frequently Asked Questions About Unclaimed Money in Australia
How long does ASIC hold unclaimed money before it can be claimed?
ASIC holds unclaimed money indefinitely — there is no time limit on when you can claim funds held by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Money is transferred to ASIC once a financial institution has been unable to contact the account holder for seven years (for bank accounts) or after other applicable dormancy periods for shares, life insurance, or superannuation. ASIC's MoneySmart website at moneysmart.gov.au allows you to search and lodge claims for free at any time, even decades after the money was first transferred.
Do I need to claim my superannuation separately from other unclaimed money?
Yes. Lost superannuation is held by the Australian Tax Office (ATO), not by ASIC or state revenue offices. You can search for lost super through myGov — link your myGov account to the ATO and check the "Super" section. If you have worked for multiple employers or changed your name or address without notifying your fund, you may have unclaimed super with providers you have forgotten. The ATO also holds inactive low-balance accounts that have been transferred from super funds. There is no fee to search or claim.
Can I claim unclaimed money on behalf of a deceased relative in Australia?
Yes. ASIC allows the estate of a deceased person to claim funds held on their behalf. You will need to provide a certified copy of the death certificate, proof that you are the executor or administrator of the estate (such as a grant of probate or letters of administration), and evidence of your own identity. The process is completed online through the ASIC unclaimed money portal. For superannuation held by the ATO, the executor or legal personal representative can make a claim by contacting the ATO directly.
What types of assets become unclaimed money in Australia?
In Australia, unclaimed money includes dormant bank accounts and term deposits, uncashed cheques, dividends and interest payments, matured insurance policies, forgotten shares and managed funds, and superannuation in inactive accounts. State and territory revenue offices also hold unclaimed money from various sources specific to their jurisdiction, including uncashed cheques from government agencies and property sale proceeds. ASIC handles most nationally regulated financial assets, while individual states handle property-related or state-specific assets separately.
How do I search multiple Australian states for unclaimed money at once?
While ASIC handles nationally regulated unclaimed money, each Australian state and territory also has its own unclaimed money held by state revenue offices. The best starting point is ASIC's MoneySmart unclaimed money database (moneysmart.gov.au/unclaimedmoney), which is the single largest consolidated register and covers bank accounts, life insurance, shares, and managed funds that have been transferred to ASIC. For state-held amounts — such as uncashed government cheques or property sale proceeds — you must check each state's revenue office separately. Our search tool at cryptoandmoneysearch.com/unclaimed-money-australia links directly to all relevant Australian databases.