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There is around $2.7 billion in lost shares, bank accounts and life insurance.
Terms and Conditions for this search
Can’t see an address? Only limited address information is displayed on public unclaimed money records. If you think you have a legitimate claim to a record of money, you will need to provide proof of any addresses in the listed suburb. See proof of ownership for unclaimed money.
Claiming money is a free service
Finding unclaimed money is a free service provided by the Australian Government.
There are services that can help you claim, but they follow the same process as if you claim yourself. They may also charge you a fee.
If you do choose to use a claim service, make sure the person you work with is a registered professional, such as a lawyer, accountant or financial adviser.
Using a registered professional gives you more protections, as it means they:
- Are registered with a professional association
- Must meet educational, experience and ethical standards
- Are subject to codes of conduct and disciplinary action
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.
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.
What life insurance money is held by ASIC?
ASIC holds money from life insurance policies from insurance companies or friendly societies that have been unclaimed for 7 years after the policy matures. ASIC's unclaimed money search database goes back to 1952 for life insurance companies and back to 2000 for friendly societies.
What bank account money is held by ASIC?
ASIC holds money from bank, credit union and building society accounts that have not been used in 7 years and contain a balance of $500 or more. ASIC's unclaimed monies online search database holds these bank records:
- savings bank accounts – records from 1989
- trading bank accounts – records from 1959
- credit union and building society accounts – records from 1992.
If the account you are looking for was last accessed before 1992, contact the state or territory government's office of state revenue or state treasury where the bank, credit union or building society was originally registered. For example, if the credit union or building society was registered in NSW, you will need to go to Revenue NSW.
What money under the Corporations Act is held by ASIC, and how can I claim it?
ASIC holds certain types of unclaimed money from companies, shares and investments when the rightful owner cannot be located or the money has not been claimed. This can include money from lost shareholders, deregistered companies, company liquidations, managed investment schemes and other situations covered by the Corporations Act.
If you find your name on the MoneySmart Unclaimed Money Search and the record is listed as "Company money", you can lodge a claim directly with ASIC. To claim, note your Original Transaction Number (OTN), complete the relevant claim form, and provide documents that prove your identity and entitlement to the money. ASIC will assess your claim and, if approved, pay the funds directly to you.
Unclaimed money search data
Where does the data come from?
The data shown in search results is supplied by various banks, building societies, credit union, life companies, friendly societies and registered Australian companies. ASIC does not make any guarantees regarding the accuracy, currency, or completeness of the data. For privacy reasons some information may be redacted.
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.
Read our Privacy Policy
ASIC uses the information you provide in the search to check for possible matches on the register. By accessing the register you agree to our handling of your personal information as set out in the ASIC Privacy Policy.
Terms and Conditions
By using the search function to look for unclaimed money, you acknowledge you have read and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
By accessing the unclaimed money search, you agree you will:
- Only use the information on the register for the purpose of searching and claiming an amount listed on the register; and
- Comply with any privacy legislation governing the use and disclosure of information from the register.