Key takeaways
- All lost and ATO-held super is searchable in one place: myGov linked to the ATO.
- You do not need to remember your old fund names or member numbers.
- Consolidating can save fees, but check insurance cover before closing an account.
What 'lost super' actually means
Super funds report an account as lost when they cannot contact you, or when the account has received no contributions or rollovers for a set period. Small or inactive accounts are then transferred to the Australian Taxation Office, where they are held in your name until you claim or consolidate them.
- Uncontactable - the fund has no valid address for you.
- Inactive - no contributions or rollovers for five years.
- ATO-held - small, insoluble or inactive low-balance accounts transferred to the ATO.
The search, step by step
- 1Create or sign in to a myGov account at my.gov.au.
- 2Link the Australian Taxation Office service to your myGov account. You will need identity details such as your tax file number and information from a recent notice of assessment, payslip or bank account that receives interest.
- 3Open the ATO service and go to Super, then Fund details. This lists every super account reported against your tax file number.
- 4Open Super, then Manage, then Transfer super to see ATO-held amounts waiting to be claimed.
- 5Note the fund name, account number and balance of anything you do not recognise.
Why old jobs create extra accounts
Before stapling rules applied, starting a new job usually meant a new default super account unless you nominated an existing fund. Hospitality, retail and construction workers commonly finish their twenties with four or five accounts, each quietly charging administration fees and insurance premiums against a small balance.
| Situation | Where the money is | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fund still active, you just forgot it | With the super fund | Update your contact details, then decide whether to consolidate |
| Fund could not contact you | Reported as lost, still with the fund | Claim it through the ATO listing or contact the fund |
| Small inactive account | Transferred to the ATO | Transfer it to your chosen fund via myGov |
| Deceased family member's super | With the fund or the ATO | Contact the fund as the estate's legal representative |
Should you consolidate?
Consolidating into one fund usually reduces total fees and makes your balance easier to track. But closing an account also cancels any insurance attached to it, which can matter if you have a health condition that would make new cover expensive or unavailable.
- Check the death, total and permanent disability, and income protection cover on each account before closing it.
- Compare fees and long-term investment performance rather than the last twelve months.
- Consolidate through the ATO in myGov, or ask your preferred fund to arrange the rollover.
Ready to search?
Start with your state or territory - every register we link to is official and free to use.
Start your search