Corporations may hold unclaimed money that is owed to someone else. This unclaimed money must be reported on and paid to the Department of Treasury and Finance within certain timelines when it exceeds the prescribed amount.

The Unclaimed Money Act 2021 commenced operation on 25 November 2023 and repealed the Unclaimed Moneys Act 1891.

Unclaimed money means any sum of money (including, but not limited to, principal, interest, dividends, bonuses and profits) that:

(a) has come into the possession of a corporation by virtue of a transaction with the owner of the money occurring in South Australia; and

(b) has been held by the corporation for at least 5 years; and

(c) in respect of which there has been no claim by the owner against the corporation.

Search the Register of Unclaimed Money(external site) to find any unclaimed money that you may be owed. It’s free to search and free to apply for if you are the rightful owner.

If you believe you’re the owner of any unclaimed money, find out How to submit an Application for Unclaimed Money.

For enquiries about unclaimed money published by the Department of Treasury and Finance, email: DTFUnclaimedmoney@sa.gov.au or contact us on 08 8372 7502 (option 4).

Sometimes, you don’t receive money owed to you because you have moved address, changed your name, lost the paperwork or forgotten about it.

Unclaimed money is registered and paid to the Department of Treasury and Finance  when corporations   are not able to locate and return funds to the rightful owner that exceed the prescribed amount.

Unclaimed money published and paid includes:

  • refunds
  • unpresented, void or stale cheques
  • deceased estates
  • salaries and wages
  • dividends (not company shares).

Rental Bonds – South Australian Tenants

Unclaimed rental bonds in South Australia is administered by Consumer and Business Services (CBS).

To search or submit an application for an unclaimed rental bond, please contact CBS on 131 882 or visit www.cbs.sa.gov.au/campaigns/unclaimed-bonds

Superannuation

Unclaimed superannuation is administered by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

To search or submit an application for unclaimed superannuation, please contact the ATO on 132 865 or visit Australian Taxation Office - Search for Unclaimed Superannuation.

Investments

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) publishes and holds money from lost bank accounts, shares, investments and life insurance policies.

To search or submit an application, please contact ASIC on 1300 300 630 or visit Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

The Department of Treasury and Finance only administers unclaimed money registered and paid by corporations that carry on business in South Australia.