Lost Super & Unclaimed Money in Australia
Australia has two main categories of unclaimed money: lost superannuation held by the ATO, and other unclaimed money (bank accounts, shares, managed funds) held by ASIC. Together they represent billions of dollars belonging to Australians who have simply lost track of it — often after changing jobs, moving house, or changing their name.
For a step-by-step walkthrough of how to search and claim, including direct database links for every state, see our Australian unclaimed money guide →
What We Search for You
ATO — Lost Superannuation
The ATO holds unclaimed super transferred from funds that lost contact with members. Search and consolidate via myGov.
ASIC — MoneySmart Register
ASIC holds dormant bank accounts, managed fund balances, shares, and life insurance money. Free to search and claim online.
State Revenue Offices
Each state revenue office holds unclaimed money from real estate bonds, utility deposits, and court funds. NSW, VIC, QLD, and WA all have separate registers.
Life Insurance Register
ASIC also maintains a register of unclaimed life insurance benefits — often forgotten policies taken out decades ago.
How to Find and Claim Lost Super
The easiest way to find and consolidate lost super is through myGov. Log in to myGov, link your ATO account, and navigate to "Super" → "Manage" → "Find and consolidate". The ATO will search all super funds registered with your Tax File Number and show you any accounts you may have forgotten about.
For ASIC unclaimed money, our tool links directly to the MoneySmart search. Results are instant, and if you find a match you can lodge a claim online — ASIC typically processes claims within 60 days, with simpler verified claims often resolved faster.
How to Claim ASIC Unclaimed Money
If ASIC shows a match under your name, you'll need to lodge a claim via the MoneySmart website. You'll need to provide your full name, date of birth, current address, and a government-issued photo ID. ASIC may request additional documentation to verify your entitlement. ASIC aims to process verified claims within 60 days of receiving your complete claim package.
What triggers a bank account becoming unclaimed? Under Australian law, bank accounts with a balance of A$500 or more that have had no customer-initiated transactions for 7 years must be closed and the funds remitted to ASIC. Even a small deposit or withdrawal once every 6–7 years keeps your account active.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Claim Unclaimed Money in Australia
Claiming lost money in Australia is a straightforward process once you know where to look. Follow these six steps to search every relevant database and lodge a successful claim.
Log into myGov (my.gov.au) and link your ATO account if you haven't already. Navigate to Super → Manage → Find and consolidate. The ATO will search all super funds registered to your Tax File Number. This is the single most important step — most Australians have at least one forgotten account.
Go to moneysmart.gov.au/find-unclaimed-money and search using your full legal name and date of birth. Try variations — maiden name, married name, shortened names. ASIC holds dormant bank accounts, shares, managed fund balances, and life insurance payouts that have been inactive for 7 or more years.
Each state maintains its own register of unclaimed money from real estate bonds, utility deposits, court funds, and other state-level sources. Search NSW Revenue (revenue.nsw.gov.au), State Revenue Office Victoria (sro.vic.gov.au/unclaimed-money), Queensland Public Trustee (pt.qld.gov.au), and SA Department of Treasury and Finance (treasury.sa.gov.au/unclaimed-money) separately — these are not included in the ASIC register.
To lodge a successful claim you will need: a government-issued photo ID (passport or driver's licence), proof of your current address (utility bill or bank statement dated within 3 months), your Tax File Number for super claims, and — if claiming on behalf of a deceased person — a death certificate and either a grant of probate or letters of administration.
For ASIC unclaimed money, complete the online claim form on MoneySmart. For super, use the consolidation tool in myGov — the ATO will transfer the balance directly to your nominated active fund. For state revenue office claims, most states now accept online lodgement with digital identity verification.
ASIC aims to process verified claims within 60 days. Simpler claims with clear identity verification are often resolved faster. Super consolidation through myGov is typically completed within a few business days. If you haven't heard back after 60 days, contact ASIC directly on 1300 300 630 or the ATO on 13 10 20.
State-by-State: Where to Search in Australia
While ASIC holds the national register of unclaimed financial assets, each Australian state and territory has its own revenue office that holds separate unclaimed money. Here's what each jurisdiction covers and where to search:
New South Wales
NSW Revenue holds unclaimed money from rental bonds, court funds, trustee accounts, and former building societies. Search at revenue.nsw.gov.au. Claims over A$100 require ID verification.
Victoria
The State Revenue Office Victoria administers unclaimed money from financial institutions, friendly societies, and other organisations. Search at sro.vic.gov.au/unclaimed-money.
Queensland
Queensland Public Trustee holds unclaimed money from QLD government departments, businesses, and other organisations. Search at pt.qld.gov.au. Claim forms can be lodged online or by post.
Western Australia
The WA Department of Treasury and Finance holds unclaimed money from WA-based businesses. Search at search.unclaimedmonies.dtf.wa.gov.au. The register contains over 1.2 million records.
South Australia
The SA Department of Treasury and Finance maintains unclaimed money from SA entities. Search at treasury.sa.gov.au/unclaimed-money. Interest accrues on some balances while held by the state.
Tasmania, ACT & NT
Smaller jurisdictions each have their own registers. Tasmania uses the State Revenue Office; ACT uses ACT Revenue Office; Northern Territory uses the NT Treasury. All allow online searches.
Common Mistakes When Claiming Australian Unclaimed Money
Thousands of valid claims are rejected or delayed each year due to avoidable errors. Here are the most common mistakes — and how to avoid them:
Only searching one database. Many Australians search the ASIC register but forget the ATO super database, their state revenue office, or life insurance registers. A complete search covers all four categories.
Using an incorrect name variation. If you've changed your name after marriage or have a hyphenated surname, try all variations. ASIC's register stores the name as it appeared when the account was opened, which may be a maiden name from decades ago.
Missing a former address. Both ASIC and state revenue offices index records by the address on file when the account became dormant. Try searching by former addresses if your current name search returns no results.
Not checking for deceased relatives. Estate claims for parents, grandparents, or siblings are common and fully valid. You'll need a death certificate and proof of legal authority (probate or letters of administration), but the process is the same.
Paying a third party to claim on your behalf. Legitimate unclaimed money in Australia is always free to claim directly. Be wary of any company charging fees to "find" or "recover" your unclaimed money — the databases are publicly searchable at no cost.
Tips for Australian Expats Living Overseas
If you've moved abroad, you're actually more likely to have unclaimed money back in Australia. Super accounts opened before you left may have become "lost" if your fund couldn't contact you, and bank accounts without transactions for 7 years get transferred to ASIC regardless of your location. The good news: you can claim from overseas.
For lost super, you can search via myGov from anywhere in the world — you just need your Australian myGov login details and your TFN. For ASIC unclaimed money, overseas claimants can lodge online and have funds transferred internationally, though you may need to provide additional identity verification such as a certified copy of your passport.
If you are a temporary resident who has permanently departed Australia, you may be eligible to claim your super early through the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) scheme, subject to tax withholding. This is separate from the standard super consolidation process.
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