Find Lost Australian Super
Lost Australian super is retirement money sitting in old superannuation accounts you may have forgotten about or never knew existed. If you have ever worked in Australia, even briefly, there is a good chance you have super waiting to be claimed.
The Australian Taxation Office reports billions of dollars in lost and unclaimed superannuation. Many New Zealanders who spent time working across the Tasman have money sitting in old accounts, often from jobs they held years ago.
What You Need to Search for Lost Super
The main way to find lost Australian super is through a myGov account linked to the Australian Taxation Office. Before you start, gather as much of the following as you can:
Essential:
- Identity documents (passport, driver licence) to verify your myGov account
- Your date of birth and full name (including any previous names)
Helpful but not required:
- Your Australian Tax File Number (TFN)
- Names of previous Australian employers
- Names of old super funds you may have been with
- Approximate dates you worked in Australia
You can often proceed without your Tax File Number, but having it makes identity matching faster and reduces back-and-forth with providers.
How to Find Your Australian Super Step by Step
Follow these steps to search for any super you may have in Australia:
Step 1: Sign in to or create a myGov account
Go to myGov and either sign in with your existing credentials or create a new account. You will need to verify your identity, which typically requires a valid passport or other identity documents.
Step 2: Link the Australian Taxation Office to your myGov account
Once logged in, select “Link a service” and choose the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). You will need to answer security questions or use a linking code. If you have never lodged an Australian tax return, you may need to contact the ATO directly to establish your record first.
Step 3: Access ATO online services
After linking, select “Australian Taxation Office” from your myGov homepage to enter ATO online services.
Step 4: Navigate to the Super section
Within ATO online services, select “Super” from the menu. This will show you a consolidated view of all super accounts the ATO knows about.
Step 5: Review all accounts listed
You will see:
- Active super accounts with current balances
- Lost super (accounts that have lost contact with you)
- Super held by the ATO (funds transferred to the ATO from closed or inactive accounts)
- Any accounts flagged as potentially belonging to you
Step 6: Take action on what you find
For each account, you can:
- Contact the fund directly for more information
- Consolidate multiple accounts into one
- Claim any super held by the ATO
- Request a rollover to your current fund
Common Problems When Searching for Lost Super
Finding your super is not always straightforward. Here are the most common issues people encounter:
Cannot verify identity or link the ATO
myGov identity verification can be frustrating, especially if your Australian records are outdated or you no longer have an Australian phone number. You may need to call the ATO directly and verify your identity over the phone using alternative methods. From New Zealand, call the ATO on +61 2 6216 1111.
Multiple accounts showing different names
If your name has changed over time, your super could be split across accounts that are no longer linked to your current identity. While the ATO automatically attempts to match lost funds, some accounts can still slip through the cracks.
Employer paid into a fund you never knew about
Many people worked casual or short-term jobs where super was paid into a default fund without their knowledge. These accounts often become lost super because no contact details were ever provided.
Accessing from overseas
Linking myGov from outside Australia can trigger additional security steps. Some people find it easier to complete verification by phone rather than online when accessing from New Zealand.
Super held by the ATO
If your old fund closed or your account was inactive for too long, your super may have been transferred to the ATO. This money is still yours, you just need to claim it through the Super section in ATO online services.
Found Your Australian Super? Here Is What Happens Next
Once you have located your super, you have several options:
Leave it in Australia
You can keep your super in your Australian fund and let it continue to grow. This makes sense if you plan to return to Australia or want to keep your options open. It is generally advised to seek professional guidance to ensure your funds are invested appropriately for your age and stage of life.
Consolidate into one Australian fund
If you have multiple accounts, combining them into a single fund can reduce fees and makes management easier. You can do this directly through myGov.
Transfer to KiwiSaver in New Zealand
If you have permanently moved to New Zealand, you can transfer your Australian super to a KiwiSaver scheme under the trans-Tasman retirement savings portability scheme. The whole balance of each account moves, and both the Australian fund and the KiwiSaver provider must accept the transfer.
There are important rules and restrictions. Some types of Australian super cannot be transferred, and Australian-sourced amounts moved into KiwiSaver are subject to specific withdrawal conditions that differ from standard KiwiSaver rules.
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FAQs
Yes. The ATO can often match your records using other identity information such as your name, date of birth, and previous addresses. However, having your TFN makes the process faster and more reliable. If you have lost your TFN, you can recover it through the ATO.
If your myGov account is already linked to the ATO, you can see your super accounts immediately. Setting up and linking myGov for the first time typically takes 15 to 30 minutes if verification goes smoothly. More complex cases involving identity issues may take longer to resolve.
No. Searching through myGov and ATO online services doesn’t cost anything. The ATO’s lost super search is a government service.
Not directly. The ATO requires formal authorisation to share super information with anyone other than the account holder. If you are acting on behalf of a family member, they will need to provide proper authorisation.
Your super is held by a super fund, not your employer. Even if the company has closed, your super will still be with whichever fund they paid into. The ATO should have this information linked to your record regardless of what happened to the employer.
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