Billions of dollars in unclaimed superannuation sit with the ATO and super funds in Australia. Much of this belongs to Australians who have changed jobs, moved address, or simply forgotten old accounts. Here’s how to find and claim any super owed to you.
How Much Unclaimed Super Is There?
According to the ATO, as of 2023–24 the ATO held approximately $16 billion in lost and unclaimed super on behalf of Australian workers. This figure fluctuates as accounts are claimed and new amounts are transferred from funds.
A significant proportion of this belongs to people who:
- Changed employers without updating their super details
- Worked casually in their teens or twenties and forgot about small accounts
- Changed names (marriage or otherwise) without updating super funds
- Moved interstate or overseas
What Is Unclaimed Super?
Unclaimed super is money held by the ATO that was transferred from a super fund under specific circumstances:
- Small inactive balances: Accounts below $6,000 with no contributions or rollovers for 16+ months are transferred to the ATO
- Lost member with uncontactable status: Funds transfer balances to the ATO after being unable to contact you for an extended period
- Departing temporary residents: Super of people who have left Australia on temporary visas is transferred to the ATO if unclaimed (taxed at 65% for WHMs)
- No TFN provided: Some historical accounts with no TFN matching
How to Find Unclaimed Super
Option 1 — myGov + ATO (fastest)
- Log in to myGov (my.gov.au) and link the ATO service
- Navigate to: Super → Manage → Check your super (SuperMatch)
- Any ATO-held unclaimed super will appear alongside your active accounts
Option 2 — ATO Phone
Call 13 10 20 and ask the ATO to search for super held in your name using your TFN.
Option 3 — Super fund self-search
Some funds offer their own lost member searches. If you know you had an old account with a specific fund, contact them directly.
How to Claim ATO-Held Super
Once you locate ATO-held super:
Online (myGov):
- In ATO Online → Super → Manage → Transfer ATO-held super
- Select your preferred fund to transfer to
- The ATO transfers the amount within approximately 28 days
By phone: Call 13 10 20 and request a super claim — they will process the transfer to a nominated fund
You must have an active super fund account to receive the transfer. The ATO will not pay cash directly to you — the money goes to your super fund.
Tax on Unclaimed Super
Super amounts transferred from the ATO to a complying super fund in your name are received as a rollover — no additional tax applies. The money retains its original tax treatment inside the fund.
The exception is departing temporary resident super — this is taxed at 65% (WHM) or 35% (other temporary residents) when claimed as DASP (Departing Australia Superannuation Payment), not transferred to an active fund.
Protecting Your Super from Becoming Lost
To prevent future accounts from becoming lost:
- Provide your TFN to every super fund — ensures ATO can match your accounts
- Keep your contact details updated with your super fund (address, email, phone)
- Check your super at least annually — log in to myGov and review accounts
- Consolidate accounts when you change employers — don’t leave small inactive accounts behind
- Check your email spam — super fund communications sometimes end up in spam folders
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the ATO hold unclaimed super? The ATO holds unclaimed super indefinitely until it is claimed. There is no expiry date — even money transferred decades ago can be claimed.
Can I claim unclaimed super for a deceased family member? Unclaimed super belonging to a deceased person forms part of their estate. Contact the ATO with the person’s TFN and death certificate — the legal representative of the estate can claim.
I found a very small amount (under $50) — is it worth claiming? Yes — once inside super, that amount will grow tax-effectively for potentially decades.
For more: ATO SuperMatch Guide, How to Consolidate Your Super, Lost Super, Protecting Your Super Reforms. For advice on your situation, speak with a licensed financial adviser via MoneySmart.