If you have found a name on ASIC's unclaimed money search that is relevant to you and the money is listed as 'Company money', you can claim it through ASIC.
Generally, ASIC will take up to 60 days to process your claim from the date we receive your request, with the correct documentation. If you are outside Australia the process will be longer.
How to claim lost shares and investments held by ASIC
Follow this process to claim money listed in ASIC's unclaimed money search as 'Company money' if you are:
- an individual
- a joint shareholder
- an executor of a deceased estate
- a director, secretary or liquidator of a registered company
- a proprietor of a registered business
- a trustee of a superannuation fund or trust fund
- a parent or guardian of a minor or person holding power of attorney
Step 1. Record your Original Transaction Number (OTN)
Each record of unclaimed money will display a unique Original Transaction Number (OTN). Note down your OTN as you will need to quote it on the claim form.
Step 2. Complete the claim form
(a) Download the Claim form A - Ownership and gather the required documents if you are claiming the money as:
- an individual
- a joint shareholder (all shareholders to claim)
- the director(s) or secretary of a registered company
- a liquidator of a registered company
- a proprietor of a registered business or
- the parent of a minor
or
(b) Download the Claim form B - Representative and gather the required documents if you are claiming the money as the:
- executor or administrator of a deceased estate
- trustee of a superannuation fund or trust fund
- power of attorney (POA) or
- guardian appointed by the court
or
(c) Download the Statutory Declaration 1017E and gather the required documents if the money is listed as 's1017e - Unallocated financial products' and is NOT from any of the following companies:
- Royal Financial Trading Pty Ltd
- Highlow
- Associated Foreign Exchange Australia Pty Ltd
- TTT Moneycorp Pty Ltd
- HIFX Australia Pty Ltd
- FTIX Australia Pty Ltd
If the money IS from any of the above companies, complete either Claim form A – Ownership or Claim form B – Representative. Refer to the instructions above to choose the correct form.
Step 3. Gather your proof of ownership documents
You need to give ASIC specific documents when you claim money to make sure that we give the money to the right person. These documents prove your identity and that you own or are entitled to the unclaimed money. Unfortunately, identity fraud is common so ASIC’s job is to ensure the money gets to the rightful owner.
See proof of ownership for unclaimed money to see which documents you need to provide.
Step 4. Send the claim form and documents to ASIC
Send the claim form and documents to ASIC as per the instructions on page 4 of your claim form.
Step 5. ASIC processes your claim
Once we receive your claim with the correct documentation it will take about 60 days to process.
To find out more about how ASIC serves you, read more about ASIC’s service charter.
How to claim money as trustee of a wound up trust or super fund
You need to provide information so we can ascertain the possible beneficiaries of the trust/superannuation fund. Please email the following information to [email protected]
- name of the deregistered company
- ACN of the deregistered company
- name of the trust or superannuation fund
- ABN of the trust or superannuation fund
- Original Transaction Number (OTN) from the unclaimed money search
- written statement advising that the trust has vested or the superannuation fund has been wound up
- list of all beneficiaries of the trust. If the funds held by ASIC relate to a superannuation fund, list all of the beneficiaries and whether they have reached the preservation age
- certified copy of the trust deed for the trust/superannuation fund
- certified copy of any amendments to the trust/superannuation fund
- certified copy of the final tax return lodged with the ATO. The final tax return needs to show that the trust or super fund has been wound up. You can request a copy from the ATO.
- certified copies of all other winding up documents (e.g. minutes of the meeting held by the trustee and or documentation detailing the distribution of the trust assets)
If you have difficulty locating these documents, you may wish to contact your accountant, financial adviser or financial institution where the trust or super fund bank account was held.
We will review the information you supply and provide further information on how to claim.