How to Find Lost or Unclaimed Super
Billions of dollars sit in lost and unclaimed super accounts across Australia — money that belongs to real people who've simply lost track of it after changing jobs, moving house, or changing their name. It's usually a five-minute check to find out if any of it is yours.
What counts as "lost" super
A super account is generally classified as lost if your fund hasn't been able to contact you (often because your address is out of date), or if the account has been inactive and hasn't received contributions for a period of time. Very small or genuinely lost balances can eventually be transferred to the ATO, which holds unclaimed super on behalf of its owners until it's claimed — including with interest applied.
Step 1: check through myGov
The fastest way to check is to log in to myGov, link the ATO's online services (if you haven't already), and go to the "Super" section. This shows every super account associated with your tax file number, including any active accounts you may have forgotten about and any amounts currently held by the ATO as unclaimed money.
Step 2: search using your own records if needed
If you don't have a myGov account set up, the ATO also offers phone-based search options using your tax file number and personal details. Having your full name history (including past surnames) and previous addresses on hand can help match older accounts.
Step 3: decide what to do with what you find
Once you've located lost or unclaimed super, you can generally either have it paid directly into an active super account of your choice, or in some circumstances (such as reaching preservation age and retiring) have it released to you directly. Consolidating it into an active fund is a common approach, though whether that's the right move depends on factors like fees, insurance cover and investment options attached to each account — see How to Consolidate Multiple Super Accounts for what to weigh up, or speak with a licensed financial adviser if you're unsure what suits your situation.
Why it's worth checking even for small amounts
Lost super held by the ATO earns interest in line with inflation, but a small amount sitting unclaimed for years is still money that isn't invested in growth assets and working toward your retirement the way an active account can. It's also easy for details to change again (another address change, another name change) making it harder to find the longer it's left.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a time limit on claiming lost super?
No — unclaimed super held by the ATO doesn't expire, and can be claimed at any time.
Do I need to pay to search for or claim lost super?
No — searching through myGov and the ATO is free. Be wary of third-party services that charge a fee to do this search on your behalf.
What if I find an account I don't recognise?
It may still be genuinely yours from an old job or a fund opened automatically when you started work somewhere years ago — check the fund name and account opening date against your employment history before assuming it's an error.
Screens and processes on myGov and ATO online services can change — confirm current steps at ato.gov.au before publishing. This article contains general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs, and does not constitute a recommendation to acquire, hold, or dispose of any financial product. Before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness to your own circumstances, and seek independent financial, tax and/or legal advice, or speak with a licensed financial adviser, before making any decision.
