Unclaimed Money

The unclaimed money held by the Department of Treasury and Finance, South Australia (DTF) has been deposited by businesses, government agencies, local councils and many other similar sources, where the head office of the entity is registered in South Australia or carries on business in South Australia.

Types of unclaimed money collected by DTF include dividends (not company shares), deposits, refunds, unpresented/void/stale cheques, deceased estates, superannuation benefits, wages and salaries.

Money is deposited with DTF where companies have not been able to locate and return the money to the rightful owner for 9 years or more.

Unclaimed Money does not include:

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission is responsible for unclaimed money held by banks, building societies, credit unions, friendly societies, insurance policies and company shares.  Refer contact details below.

Superannuation

From 1 July 1997, DTF became responsible for holding unclaimed superannuation benefits for companies whose head office is registered in South Australia or in the case of a superannuation provider of a fund who is a natural person; the principal place of carrying on business is in South Australia.  These benefits are where the member is deceased or has reached the eligibility age of 65 for both men and women and no contributions have been made to the fund for two years.

Information about lost benefits can also be found on the Lost Members Register managed by the Australian Taxation Office on 13 10  20 or  www.ato.gov.au.