There is around $2 billion in lost shares, bank accounts and life insurance.
Why has my money become unclaimed?
The Australian Government has laws to ensure that if money is identified as 'unclaimed', it can be returned to the rightful owner.
Under the unclaimed money laws, organisations are required to send unclaimed money to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). ASIC maintains the unclaimed money records and assists in the process to reunite unclaimed money to the rightful owners. Unclaimed money sent to ASIC is transferred to the Commonwealth of Australia Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Money may become unclaimed for the following reasons:
- Bank accounts – if the account has been inactive (no deposit or withdrawals) for 7 years.
- Life insurance policy – becomes unclaimed 7 years after the policy matures and is not claimed.
- A company cannot contact a shareholder for more than 6 years.
- A member of a managed investment scheme cannot be contacted for more than 6 years.
- Money has been paid to a financial product provider for a financial product that cannot be issued and the money cannot be returned.
- The money is the property of a deregistered company, or property of a trust or superannuation fund where a deregistered company is acting as trustee.
- There is unclaimed money after:
- a compulsory acquisition of securities
- the winding up of managed investment scheme
- the liquidation of a company
Depending on the type of claim, ASIC or the relevant institution will process your claim. Lost money is available to be claimed at any time by the rightful owner and there is no time limit on claims.
Unclaimed money search companies
You may have been asked to pay a fee for a private money search company to claim your money for you, but you can search and claim for free. ASIC does not ask people to pay to claim.
Didn't find any lost money?
If you think you still have lost money, contact the institution where you think you had it. All records received by ASIC are publicly displayed on this list. We do not have access to any other records held by other agencies or institutions.
You can search for other types of unclaimed money on other government websites:
- Australian Taxation Office - Search for lost superannuation by registering for the Australian Taxation Office's online services via myGov.
- State government - Search State government websites for deceased estates, lost share dividends, salaries and wages, cheques, over-payments, proceeds of sale and more.
Interest paid on unclaimed money
Interest is paid on unclaimed money, calculated from 1 July 2013. Find out more about how interest is paid.
What is an Original Transaction Number (OTN)?
Each unclaimed money record is given a unique OTN. You will need this number to make a claim. The OTN will also help you relocate that record in future and will assist us if we need to discuss your claim.
Unclaimed money search data
Where does the data come from?
The data shown in search results was supplied by various banks, building societies, credit union, life companies, friendly societies and registered Australian companies. ASIC does not guarantee the quality or consistency of the input data.
Disclaimer
This service is provided solely for general information purposes. By providing this service ASIC does not provide legal or other professional advice. ASIC expressly disclaims any liability arising from use of the unclaimed money service. If you require legal or other expert advice or assistance, you should seek the services of an appropriately qualified professional.