How to Find Unclaimed Money in Australia
How to Find Unclaimed Money in Australia
Billions of dollars are sitting unclaimed across Australia — and much of it belongs to everyday people who don’t even realise it. Bank accounts, lost superannuation, unpaid wages, forgotten shares and insurance payouts often end up held by government agencies when owners can’t be contacted.¹
The good news? Finding unclaimed money in Australia is free, straightforward, and something anyone can do with the right tools.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What unclaimed money in Australia actually is
- Why money becomes unclaimed
- Who holds it
- How to search official databases step by step
- How to claim what may be yours
- What to do financially while you wait for a claim to be processed
We’ll also explain how Credit24 personal loans may help if you’re facing short-term cash flow pressure while waiting for unclaimed funds.
What is unclaimed money in Australia?
Unclaimed money refers to funds that belong to individuals or businesses but have been transferred to government custody because the owner could not be contacted for a long period of time.²
In Australia, unclaimed money commonly comes from:
- Bank accounts and term deposits
- Life insurance policies
- Share dividends and company distributions
- Unpaid wages and salaries
- Rental bonds
- Superannuation
- Lottery or gaming winnings
In most cases, the money becomes unclaimed simply because contact details were outdated — not because the owner passed away or did anything wrong.
As of recent reporting, billions of dollars in unclaimed money are held across Australia by various federal and state agencies.³
Customer benefit: If you’ve ever changed jobs, moved house, or opened multiple bank or super accounts, it may be worth checking — because you could potentially find money linked to your name.
Why does money become unclaimed?
Unclaimed money usually results from everyday life changes. Common reasons include:
- Inactive bank accounts (generally no transactions for 7 years)⁴
- Moving house without updating bank or employer details
- Name changes due to marriage or divorce
- Life insurance policies not claimed after maturity
- Shareholders not responding to company correspondence for 6+ years
- Deceased estates without clear beneficiaries
- Overseas moves with forgotten Australian accounts
Because no single agency tracks everything automatically, people often don’t realise they have unclaimed money until they search.
Who holds unclaimed money in Australia?
Different organisations hold different types of unclaimed funds.
ASIC (Australian Securities & Investments Commission)
ASIC manages:
- Unclaimed bank accounts
- Life insurance proceeds
- Shares and investments
via the MoneySmart unclaimed money register⁵
State and territory revenue offices
State agencies hold:
- Unpaid wages
- Rental bonds
- Trust money
- Certain dividends and refunds
Each state runs its own unclaimed money register.
ATO (Australian Taxation Office)
The ATO holds:
- Lost and unclaimed superannuation
- Super accounts with inactive members⁶
Understanding where money is held is key to running a complete unclaimed money search in Australia.
How to find unclaimed money in Australia
1. Search ASIC’s MoneySmart database
This is one of the best places to start.
How to search:
- Visit the ASIC MoneySmart unclaimed money search tool
- Enter your full name
- Try previous surnames or maiden names
- Review all matching results carefully
- Search for deceased relatives if applicable
There are no fees to search or claim through MoneySmart.⁵
Tip: If your name is common, check details carefully (such as suburb or last known address) before starting a claim.
2. Check state and territory unclaimed money registers
Each state maintains its own database. Examples include:
- NSW Revenue – unclaimed money search
- Victorian State Revenue Office
- Queensland Treasury unclaimed money register
These databases may hold wages, rental bonds and trust money not listed with ASIC.⁷
Tip: If you’ve lived in multiple states, check every relevant register — many people miss out simply because they only search one database.
3. Search for lost superannuation
Lost super is one of the most common forms of unclaimed money.
You can:
- Log in to myGov
- Access ATO online services
- View all super accounts in your name
- Identify inactive or lost super
- Consolidate multiple accounts if needed⁶
This step alone may uncover significant balances for some Australians, particularly if you’ve changed employers frequently or worked casual jobs.
Types of unclaimed money you might have
You may be entitled to claim:
- Inactive bank accounts (7+ years)
- Term deposits
- Life insurance payouts
- Share dividends
- Unpaid wages or commissions
- Rental bonds
- Lottery or gaming winnings
- Deceased estate distributions
- Superannuation benefits
- Refunds and overpayments
Running a complete unclaimed money search in Australia across all categories is the best way to reduce the chance of missing anything.
Claiming unclaimed money: How it works
Documents you’ll usually need
Most agencies will require documentation to confirm your identity and your connection to the funds.
Common requirements include:
- Proof of identity (passport or driver’s licence)
- Proof of connection to the funds (address, account, employer)
- Bank account details for payment (such as OSKO-enabled details if supported by your bank)
- Certified copies of documents (if required)
- Power of attorney (if claiming for someone else)
- Death certificate (for deceased estates)
The application process
In most cases, claiming unclaimed money follows a similar process:
- Complete the online claim form
- Upload required documents
- Submit declaration
- Wait for assessment
- Receive confirmation if approved
- Processing times typically range from 2–6 weeks, depending on complexity.⁸
Important: No legitimate government agency charges a fee to claim unclaimed money.
Special claim situations
Some claims may take longer due to added verification steps, such as:
- Claims for deceased relatives
- Multiple claims under the same name
- Business or organisation claims
- Claims involving gaming or lottery winnings
Each claim is assessed individually.
Credit24: Financial support while you wait
Unclaimed money claims can take time — and everyday expenses like rent, groceries, and utilities may still need to be managed in the meantime.
If you’re facing short-term financial pressure, a personal loan may be one option to consider as part of your broader financial planning.
Credit24 offers personal loans that may help eligible customers cover unexpected expenses while waiting for a claim outcome.
How Credit24 may help
- Personal loans from $500 to $10,000
- Online application process
- Funds may be used for essential expenses while claims are processed
- Flexible repayment options
- Transparent fees and responsible lending
You can learn more here:
Sources
¹ ASIC – Unclaimed Money Overview
https://asic.gov.au
² Australian Securities and Investments Commission – Unclaimed Money Rules
https://asic.gov.au
³ ASIC Annual Reports – Unclaimed Money Statistics
https://asic.gov.au
⁴ Banking Act & ASIC Guidance – Inactive Accounts
https://asic.gov.au
⁵ ASIC MoneySmart – Search Unclaimed Money
https://moneysmart.gov.au
⁶ Australian Taxation Office – Lost Super
https://ato.gov.au
⁷ State Revenue Offices – Unclaimed Money Registers
https://nsw.gov.au | https://vic.gov.au | https://qld.gov.au
⁸ ASIC – Claim Processing Guidance
https://asic.gov.au
Disclaimer
IPF Digital Australia Pty Ltd, trading as Credit24, ABN 59 130 894 405. Australian Credit Licence 422839. The information in this article is general in nature and does not consider your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Lending criteria, fees, and charges apply. For product details, eligibility requirements, and full terms and conditions, visit www.credit24.com.au.
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